Cold Springs Cabin
Closed — Closed for the season. The cabin operates mid-May through mid-October and must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. Unavailable the first Tuesday of each month during the operating season for water testing, cleaning, and maintenance.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Big Spring Campground Closure
The Big Springs Campground located within the Paulina Ranger District of the Ochoco National Forest is currently closed due to due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of a lightning complex fire in July of 2024. The closure includes all developed sites, roads, trails and…
Wiley Flat Campground Closure
The Wiley Flat Campground is currently closed due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Wiley Flat fire of 2024. The closure includes all developed sites, roads, trails, and facilities within the campground boundary. Refer to the attached map (Exhibit A)
14 Day Stay Order
Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is PROHIBITED on the Ochoco National Forest &Crooked River National Grassland.
Prescribed Fire information
Each year, prescribed burning is done in the spring and fall to improve forest health and protect communities. Visit our Prescribed Fire in Central Oregon page to learn more.
About
Cold Springs Guard Station, constructed in 1934, is a historic Forest Service site nestled in the Ochoco National Forest that once served as the switchboard station connecting phone calls between fire lookouts and guard stations during summer months. The cabin replaced an earlier structure destroyed by fire and housed the fire guard and family until the 1990s, with remnants of its past still visible today. The multi-room cabin provides comfortable accommodations for up to eight guests with three bedrooms complete with beds, two bathrooms (one with tub, one with shower) featuring flush toilets, and a living room. The kitchen is equipped with a propane stove, propane refrigerator, and basic utensils and cleaning supplies. Propane powers the lights, heat, and hot water, supplemented by solar lighting. Drinking water is available from a hand pump. Outside amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, and horseshoe pit, with ample parking for up to eight vehicles. The cabin sits in an upland meadow near Big Summit Prairie, an area renowned for colorful wildflower displays including wild parsley, bitterroot, cobalt blue meadow larkspur, Peck's mariposa lily, and brilliant red Indian paintbrush among sagebrush and old-growth ponderosa pine with quaking aspen. Several bands of wild free-roaming horses inhabit the forest, with an interpretive sign along Forest Service Road 42 providing more information. Other wildlife includes squirrels, chipmunks, antelope, deer, elk, geese, hawks, osprey, eagles, sandhill cranes, and great horned owls. Nearby activities include wildlife watching, mountain biking, road biking, hiking, fishing, and hunting.
Directions
From Prineville, travel approximately 13 miles east on Highway 26. Turn right at the junction to Ochoco Ranger Station (County Road 123) and travel 8 miles to the junction of Forest Service Roads 22 and 42. Stay right to merge onto Forest Service Road 42 and travel approximately 19 miles. After crossing the North Fork of the Crooked River, turn left onto Forest Service Road 30 and travel approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 100 at the signs to Cold Springs Guard Station, then right again as the road forks and proceed through the gate. Paved roads most of the way with the last 2 miles on good dirt road.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $90 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 416-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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