Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab

About

Ditch Creek Guard Station is a classic example of CCC-era forest architecture, originally constructed to house fireguards who patrolled the forest interior on horseback watching for smoke from lightning strikes. The cabin became a recreation rental in 1997 and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The one-story cabin sits on a large, flat lawn near Ditch Creek, surrounded by dense pine forest. It features a bedroom with two twin bunk beds, a living room with futon, loveseat, and propane heating stove, a full bathroom with flush toilet and shower, and an equipped kitchen with propane refrigerator and cook stove. All lighting and appliances run on propane, which is provided. Guests must bring their own bedding, food, toiletries, and garbage bags as this is a pack-in/pack-out facility. The surrounding area offers over 26 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails between 4,100 and 5,300 feet elevation. Fishing is available at nearby Penland Lake, Bull Prairie Lake, and local streams. A small stocked pond sits adjacent to the property. Deer and elk frequent the area, and bats can be observed at dusk.

Directions

From Heppner, Oregon: Travel south on Highway 207 to the edge of town. Turn left up the hill onto Willow Creek Road toward Willow Creek Dam. Continue 23 miles past Willow Creek Lake, Cutsforth County Park, and up Coalmine Hill. At the top of Coalmine Hill, take a right onto Forest Service Road 21 (County Road 603) and continue 3.5 miles. The guard station is on a hill on the north side of the road, accessed by Forest Service Roads 050 and 051.