Wenatchee Guard Station

Enjoy fantastic views of the Blue Mountains from this cozy retreat on the edge of the Umatilla National Forest.

Perched on an overlook above the Blue Mountains and just outside the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness in the Umatilla National Forest, the Wenatchee Guard Station was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934-1935. While many such historic structures have since been lost, this one has been maintained as a year-round forest service rental. Summer visitors will be able to drive right to the cabin, and winter visitors can access the building by ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile.

Winter visitors will get a healthy workout via the access to the cabin. The Cloverland SnoPark is the main staging area for both motorized and non-motorized winter visitors, as the Wenatchee Guard Station is located on a groomed snowmobile trail. It's approximately 3.5 miles to the Guard Station from the SnoPark via a steady climb up Forest Service Road 43. Many winters find the SnoPark itself inaccessible due to snowdrifts, in which case the access point is located near the intersection of Cloverland Road and Harlow-Ridge Road. The longer access route can be up to 5.8 miles and 1,435 feet of elevation gain.

Summer visitors will need to get their workout through exploring nearby trails, as Forest Service Road 43 is accessible to most vehicles as soon as the snow melts. There are several nearby trails to explore, including a 12-mile loop hike on the Wenatchee Creek Trail and Indian Tom Trail within walking distance of the cabin. These trails are outside the designated wilderness area, but it's a short drive west from the cabin to access additional trails that lead to the wilderness.

The cabin itself is equipped with propane heat and a propane cook stove. The kitchen is stocked with a limited supply of cookware. The living room contains the propane stove for heat, a table with chairs, a futon couch that converts to a bed, and a cot. A small bedroom contains two additional cots. Up to four visitors can stay inside the cabin, and the rental is pet-friendly. There are propane lights in all three rooms. A CXT outhouse is located near the cabin.

Reserve the cabin through Recreation.gov by clicking here.