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WILLOW PRAIRIE CABIN, OR

Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
1 site(s) found
ALL (1)
CABIN NONELECTRIC (1)

Overview

Willow Prairie Cabin is located in the southwest portion of the magnificent volcanic Cascade Mountain Range at the foot of Mt. McLoughlin, at an elevation of 4,300 feet. The Willow Prairie Guard Station cabin was constructed on the edge of the meadow in 1924 by a Forest Service road crew. Its main purpose at that time was as a firefighter guard station.

In 1990, the cabin was converted to a horse camp and was recently restored by local volunteers and employees of the Butte Falls Ranger District. Today it is available for rent by groups with or without horses.

Natural Features:

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is composed of two distinct geological provinces - the Cascade Range and the Siskiyou Mountains.

The Cascade Range is dominated by snow-capped volcanic peaks such as 9,495 foot Mt. McLoughlin located within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. The Siskiyou area embodies the most complex and treasured plant communities in the Pacific Northwest. Wild rivers, biological diversity, remarkable fisheries resources, and complex watersheds define the Siskiyou.

Adjacent to the cabin and camp is a wetland area featuring a beaver swamp and several large ponds where wildlife abounds. From majestic sandhill cranes and Canada geese, to bull elk and deer, these species, along with many others, depend on the surrounding undeveloped wilderness, undisturbed wetlands, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.

Recreation:

The cabin is adjacent to the Willow Prairie Campground , and is surrounded by 19 plus miles of horse trails. In addition to horseback riding, enjoy camping, hunting and winter sports, such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

The wetlands adjacent to the cabin provide an excellent area for birding enthusiasts to watch for sandhill cranes, great blue herons, Canada geese, ducks and red-tailed hawks.

Facilities:

The one-room cabin can accommodate up to four people, however it is furnished with only two sleeping cots. It has two shutter-style windows without glass, a wood stove for heat, and rustic furnishings, including a table and chairs. There is counter space for meal preparation and places to hang lanterns. Water is available at the campground.

Outside amenities include a campfire ring and picnic table for outdoor dining. Firewood is often available intended for indoor use only, however the supply cannot be guaranteed. The supply may run low and what is there may have to be split by the visitor with the tools provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own. A vault toilet is located in the adjacent campground near the cabin.

Guests must supply their own camp stove, cookware, utensils and dishes, sleeping bags, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, light source, toilet paper and garbage bags.

There are four 12 x 12 foot paddocks and water troughs near the cabin for up to four horses.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
  • Biking
  • Campfire Rings
  • Cot(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Equestrian Sites
  • Firewood
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camp Facility
  • Horse Corrals
  • Horseback Riding
  • Horseback Riding Trails
  • Picnic Area
  • Stock Watering Tank
  • Table and Chairs
  • Trailer Parking
  • Vault Toilets
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Wood Stove
Know Before You Go
Road Access to the cabin is NOT suitable for large vehicles. Visitors driving a motorhome, pulling a trailer or driving a low-clearance vehicle CANNOT access this cabin and cabin area from the service road off of Forest Road 3735. Users with these types of vehicles MUST use the overflow parking area and pack their camping gear approximately ¼ mile along the trail skirting the campground.

Access to the overflow parking areas, (see also - 'Getting There'):
Turn left (south) at the intersection of Forest Service Road 3738 and Forest Service Road 3735 and travel one quarter mile to the Willow Prairie Campground overflow parking area, green gate on your left (east). This is where horses may be unloaded and horse trailers, as well as vehicles, may be parked during the visitors" stay.

  • Entry to the cabin is by combination lock. The combination will be included in your confirmation letter. LOCK OPERATIONS: Once the combination has been entered, the shank of the lock must be depressed into the body of the lock, and then released before the lock will open.
  • Please call the High Cascades Ranger District office at (541) 865-2700 four days prior to your arrival to confirm your combination; The office is open Monday-Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on weekends and holidays.
  • Please contact the Ranger District prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit.
  • Pets are welcome at the cabin, but must be leashed
  • All garbage and food must be packed out
  • The cabin is a no-smoking facility
  • As there is a water trough specifically for horses, please water your horses at the troughs and not at the hand pump designated for human consumption
  • Thoroughly clean up manure, hay, and garbage from the campsite and corrals before you leave, and from the roadway immediately. The manure and hay can be placed in the designated trailer
  • Do not run, trot, or lunge horses in the meadows, roads, or trails in or near the campground, and minimize the use of the campground roadway as an access route. There is a designated trailway at the back of each campsite to access the main trail system
  • Keep horses in the stalls when not riding, and do not tie horses to picket lines or trees. Refrain from riding horses within the fenced area surrounding Willow Prairie
  • Learn more about Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.


Due to the spread of invasive noxious weeds, feed for stock from non-certified sources are not allowed on National Forest System Lands. Please use certified weed free feed for your animals during your stay. Please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/weeds/ for more information.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
42.40833, -122.39167
42°24'30"N, 122°23'30"W

From Butte Falls, take the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road 821) approximately 17 miles southeast to Forest Service Road 3738. Turn west on Forest Service Road 3738 and drive 1.3 miles to the intersection of Forest Service Road 3735. Continue west across the intersection, off the main road, and on to a little dirt road. At the next junction, turn left and the cabin will soon be in sight.

Wheeled-vehicle access is usually possible only from late spring through fall. Vehicle access in winter is subject to weather conditions. Winter parking along Highway 140 is permissible in designated areas with an Oregon State Sno-Park permit. Winter access on skis or snowmobiles can range from 2 to 6 miles, and the difficulty level will be moderate to difficult depending on snow conditions.


Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

WILLOW PRAIRIE CABIN
P.O. BOX 227
BUTTE FALLS OR 97522

Phone Number:

Information: (541)865-2700