Imnaha Guard Station

Overview

Imnaha Guard Station is located in the southwest portion of Oregon's Cascade Range, at an elevation of 3,800 feet. The facility offers a remote setting and most of the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. This cabin does not feature indoor lighting so guests will need to bring lanterns or flashlights.

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.

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. There are no guarantees of firewood. Visitors should bring lanterns, sleeping bags, towels and matches. A very small Forest Service campground called Imnaha, is located within sight of the cabin but will remain closed for the season.

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.

Contact Info

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

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.

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.