Aspen Cabin is a historic log cabin encircled by a split rail fence and is tucked away in a forest of fir, pine, and aspen in the North Warner Mountains. Wildflowers, such as Indian Paintbrush, Camas and wild lilies, add splashes of color in late spring and early summer. The area that surrounds the cabin is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer and elk. It is also a bird watcher’s paradise as well, with a variety of species including sparrows, jays, Sandhill cranes and woodpeckers.
Aspen Cabin is located approximately 35 minutes northeast of Lakeview, Oregon. It was built in 1930 and originally used as an administrative cabin and fire guard station by the U.S. Forest Service. It also served as a warming shelter for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the 1990s. Today, this historic cabin offers guests a cozy and rustic lodging in a secluded, wooded setting.
The one-room cabin is designed to accommodate up to four people and is furnished with four cots, a dining table and chairs, countertop space for food preparation and a wood stove for heating. A picnic table, campfire ring, and BBQ pedestal are located near the cabin, as well as a vault toilet. Guests must provide water, firewood and all other camping supplies. Water jugs can be filled at Mud Creek Campground approximately 1.5 miles away.
Aspen Cabin is an ideal location to pursue recreation activities like day hiking and mountain biking. Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail is three miles to the southwest and accessed at the Walker Trailhead. The Drake McDowell Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized Area lies two miles to the east.
- Availability: Aspen Cabin is available for rent June 1 through October 15.
- Price and Capacity: $40 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin. There is an additional area for tent camping. The maximum length stay is fourteen consecutive nights.
- Reservations: Online at: www.recreation.gov or by telephone at 877-444-6777.
History
Aspen Cabin was built during the summer of 1930 and was originally used as a Ranger Station by US Forest Service employees and later became a fire guard station. The work was hard, and the wages low, but Aspen Cabin was a home away from home for Forest Service employees.
No longer needed as a guard station, the cabin was not used during the 1980s. The Forest Service entered into a partnership with a local snowmobiling club to use the cabin as a warming shelter for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the 1990s.
