Campground

Imnaha Guard Station

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Near Butte Falls, Oregon

Facilities

The Imnaha Guard House has a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, and is designed to comfortably sleep 4 occupants. The bedroom is furnished with a full-size bed, a small closet and one dresser. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, sink, refrigerator, stove, and basic cooking utensils. The bathroom has running water, shower and flush toilet.

The heater, stove and refrigerator are operated by propane, and potable water for drinking and cooking is available from the faucet. A picnic table in the backyard permits comfortable outside dining.

The cabin features a lava-rock fireplace in the front room. Firewood is stocked and stored in the garage at the beginning of the season and intended for indoor use only. There are no guarantees of firewood. The supply may run low and what is there may have to be split by the visitor with the tools provided. Visitors should bring lanterns, sleeping bags, towels and matches.

A very small Forest Service campground with four sites, also called Imnaha, is located within sight of the cabin. However, the cabin's yard is fenced, and campers typically respect the privacy of the cabin occupants.

Natural Features

Imnaha Guard Station is surrounded by an old-growth forest composed of Douglas-fir, white fir, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and western white pine. A notably large, 300-year-old Douglas-fir, known as "The Big Tree," towers above the canopy near the Imnaha cabin.

Imnaha Springs is just up a trail behind the cabin and forms separate rivulets that flow through yellow monkey flowers and moss. The large volume of water that bubbles from the springs is crystal clear and ice cold.

Recreation

Hiking and Birdwatching are popular activities among guests visiting this cabin. 

Bird songs from nuthatches, chickadees, and Steller's jays are common at Imnaha Guard Station. Varied thrush are around and can be identified with their distinct calls that lift from the forest floor. Occasionally the loud drumming of the dilapidated woodpecker can be heard, the largest woodpecker in North America.

Sky Lakes wilderness is within a short drive from the cabin and can be accessed from Blue Canyon Trailhead and Alta Lake Trailhead. The Lower South Fork trail is also a short drive from Imnaha Cabin and has multiple trailheads to choose from.

Recreation Sites

  • Cabin Nonelectric
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Camping

Amenities

  • Picnic Table
  • Non Smoking
  • Living Room
  • Bed(s) with mattress
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Drinking Water
  • Fireplace
  • Flush Toilets
  • Horseshoe Pit
  • Parking Area
  • Propane Refridgerator
  • Propane Stove
  • Showers
  • Table & Chairs
  • Kitchen

Nearby Attractions

Diamond Lake Resort, Crater Lake National Park, Lost Creek Lake, Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, National Falls, Rogue Gorge, Natural Bridge and Mount McLoughlin are all wonderful sights to see.

Getting Here

Latitude
42° 42' 13.7520" N
Longitude
122° 19' 55.6320" W
From Butte Falls, OR, drive east on the Butte Falls - Fish Lake Highway (County Road 821). Less than a mile from town, turn left onto the Butte Fall - Prospect Highway (County Road 992) and travel north on County Road 992. Go 9 miles on County Road 992 to Forest Road 34. Turn right, go 8 miles on Forest Road 34 until its junction with Forest Road 37. Travel north / northeast on Forest Road 37 for 4.5 miles. Take Imnaha Campground turn-off and continue through campground to find the cabin. From Prospect, OR, at the Prospect Hotel turn east onto the Butte Falls - Prospect Highway (County Road 992), travel 2 or 3 miles and take a left onto Forest Road 37, which continues south to Imnaha Campground turn-off. Wheeled-vehicle access is possible only from late spring through early fall, depending on snow conditions.

Need to Know

  • Entry through the access gate and 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.
  • You may 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 by calling 541-560-3400.

  • Pets are welcome at this facility, but please keep them leashed whenever they are near the springs
  • All garbage and food must be packed out
  • The guard station is a no-smoking facility
  • No tents are permitted in the fenced cabin area. 'Extra' people using the cabin are welcome to camp at one of the numbered campsites in the nearby Imnaha Campground
  • Click here to learn more about Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

  • Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
  • Contact Information

    47201 HWY 62
    Prospect, OR 97536

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (541) 560-3400.

    Additional Information