Peterson Prairie Cabin
Closed — Open year-round for reservations. Between December 1 and April 1, the road to the cabin is closed to wheeled vehicles. Winter visitors must park at Atkisson Sno-Park and ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile 2.5 miles to the cabin. A Washington State Sno-Park Pass is required for parking during winter months.
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.
Forest Roads Closed Due to Rain Event
The past few days has shown heavy rainfall as an atmospheric river moved into the Northern Cascade Region bringing 16+ inches of rain to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Forest Service Road 6808 Emergency Closure
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest issued an emergency closure of Forest Service Road 6808 from mile marker 3.9 to mile marker 4.2 due to a sinkhole that has developed in the travel way. Closure timeframe is currently unknown, and travel will resume when roads are repaired.
Rd 2810-041 Yellowjacket Bridge Road Closure
Rd 2810-041 will close Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and will remain closed until mid-November for redriving piles at Yellowjacket.
Winter Road Closures
Due to large amounts of snowfall the gates along the fallowing roads will be closed for the winter season. This routine seasonal gate closure is important for public safety as these roads are not maintained and become hazardous in the winter.
Washout on Forest Road 93
Forest Road 93 is closed at milepost 6.95 due to a severe washout. Road signs are posted at the beginning of each side of FR 93 to alert drivers of the inability to drive the entire length of road.
Upper State Route 504 closed at milepost 45.2 due to large slide
Closure: Upper State Route 504/Spirit Lake Memorial Highway is closed between mileposts (MP) 45.2 and 51 until further notice with a possible re-opening date sometime in 2026. Johnston Ridge Observatory and Loowit Viewpoint is inaccessible by vehicle
Adams Fork Bridge Closed (FR 5601)
The Adams Fork Bridge on FR 5601 at MP 2.0 on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District is CLOSED.
Forest Road 2801 Closure
Forest Road 2801 is closed on both ends of the road due to a washout at milepost 0.25 and a large slide at milepost 7.
About
Peterson Prairie Cabin is a historic Forest Service guard station built in 1926 by District Ranger Harvey A. Welty and Forest Guard Eilert Skaar. The cabin replaced a deteriorated log structure built by homesteader John Peters in 1890 along the old McClellan Trail. After the original replacement cabin was destroyed by fire in 2012, this meticulously restored cabin was salvaged from demolition and moved to the site in 2014. The cabin sleeps six people and features propane-powered lighting, heating, and appliances throughout. The lower floor includes an accessible bedroom with a double bed, a living/dining room with two loveseats and a fireplace/wood stove insert, and a fully equipped kitchen with a propane cooktop, stove, refrigerator, cookware, dishes, and utensils. An outdoor picnic table and vault toilet are on-site, and firewood is provided. Surrounded by a dense canopy of Douglas fir and thick huckleberry understory, the cabin serves as a basecamp for exploring nearby attractions including the Pacific Crest Trail, Indian Heaven Wilderness, and Mt. Adams Wilderness. The area offers hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and berry picking during snow-free months, with extensive cross-country skiing and snowmobiling opportunities in winter via 95 miles of groomed trails accessible from Atkisson Sno-Park.
Directions
From Vancouver, take Highway 14 east to Highway 141, then go north to Trout Lake. Continue 4 miles past the Mt. Adams Ranger Station to the end of Highway 141. Continue west on Forest Road 24 for 2.5 miles. The cabin is on the left. During winter (December 1 to April 1), park at Atkisson Sno-Park and travel 2.5 miles to the cabin via ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (509) 395-3400 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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