Cold Springs Guard Station

About this site

Overview Cold Springs Guard Station, constructed in 1934, is a historic site tucked into the Ochoco National Forest. It served a special role as the switchboard station connecting phone calls between various fire lookouts and guard stations during the summer months, as well as housing for the fire guard and his family. The current cabin replaced an earlier one that was destroyed by fire. Cold Springs Guard Station continued to be used by Forest Service employees into the 1990s, and remnants of its past can still be seen today. This is the perfect destination for guests wanting the creature comforts of a home while in a rustic, natural setting. This cabin is can be reserved from mid-May through mid-October, and it accommodates up to eight people. This cabin is not available the first Tuesday of each month for water testing, cleaning and maintenance. Recreation Wildlife watching and wildflower viewing are the primary recreational activities in this area. Nearby activities include mountain biking, road biking, hiking, fishing and hunting. There is a horseshoe pit outside the cabin. Facilities Wildlife watching and wildflower viewing are the primary recreational activities in this area. Nearby activities include mountain biking, road biking, hiking, fishing and hunting. There is a horseshoe pit outside the cabin. Natural Features Several bands of wild free-roaming horses live in the Ochoco National Forest. Visitors can learn more about these horses from a Forest Service interpretive sign on Forest Service Road 42 on the way to the cabin. Other wildlife in the area includes squirrels, chipmunks, antelope, deer, elk, geese, hawks, osprey, eagles, sandhill cranes and great horned owls. Cold Spring Guard Station is located in an upland meadow near Big Summit Prairie, an area known for colorful wildflower displays that include wild parsley, bitterroot, cobalt blue meadow larkspur, Peck's mariposa lily and brilliant red Indian paintbrush. There are other plants that add beauty to this serene location, the most prominent being sagebrush and old-growth ponderosa pine. Quaking aspen mixes with the pines in the area surrounding the cabin. Nearby Attractions Walton Lake, Lookout Mt. trails, Big Summit Prairie, Mt. Pisgah, and Bridge Creek Wilderness. Charges & Cancellations In order to allow for maximum use of the facilities, a cancellation policy has been put in place to encourage customers to make any cancellations as soon as possible so that others may reserve and enjoy the unoccupied facility. Reservation fees are refundable on a pro-rated scale as outlined below. > 100% refund of reservation fees when cancelled 31 days or more, prior to your arrival date* > 50% refund of reservation fees when cancelled 15 to 30 days, prior to your arrival date* > No refund when cancelled 14 days or less, prior to your arrival date > If a customer arrives at a facility and decides to leave early, the days not used are not refunded * A $10.00 cancellation fee will be deducted from the amount of the refund given the customer Additional Info: Multi-room cabin with three bedrooms (beds provided), living room, kitchen (propane stove, solar-powered refrigerator, basic utensils, cleaning supplies), two bathrooms (one with tub/shower, both with flush toilets), propane heat/hot water/solar lights. Drinking water available in building. Picnic table, fire ring, horseshoe pit outside. Ample parking for up to eight vehicles. Accessible by car (paved most way, last 2 miles good dirt road). No tent, trailer, or RV camping allowed.

Amenities & access

Contact

• (541) 416-6500
• https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234136

Location

44.356667, -120.131667