Clearwater Lookout Cabin
Campground · Washington · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Umatilla National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 4
- People per site
Overview
Clearwater Lookout Cabin is a single story, wood frame structure constructed in 1935. It is tucked at the base of the Clearwater Lookout tower, a 94-foot steel tower constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps in 1933. Through the years, the tower has been used as a landmark by the public and employees of the Forest Service. The tower is no longer manned during fire season, but it is used on occasion during extreme fire conditions. The tower is closed to public access, but the rental cabin is open year-round. The cabin is located about 25 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington in the Umatilla National Forest. Access by car is from June 1 to October 31 weather permitting. In winter, access is limited to cross country skis, snowshoes or snowmobile.Recreation
Horseback riding and hiking trails can be accessed from the cabin. During spring and summer, guests can enjoy a short and scenic drive along the Tucannon River to Sunset Point. Mushroom and berry picking may also entertain guests. At night, guests enjoy gazing up at the star-filled sky.Winter brings avid snowmobilers and skiers to explore its groomed trails.
Facilities
The cabin is divided into a kitchen and a bedroom, and is furnished with four extra-long single beds. It is kept warm in the winter by a propane heater, and features propane lights, a cook stove and a refrigerator, as well as some cookware, dishes and utensils. However it is suggested that visitors bring their own dishes, pots, pans and utensils. There is a firepit and picnic table outside. An outhouse is located nearby.
The cabin was updated inside and out during the summer of 2023.
There is no water on-site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Other things to bring include bedding or sleeping bags, flashlights, dish soap and other basic camping gear.
General cleaning is expected before departure. Mop, bucket, broom, and cleaning supplies provided (water is not provided). Cleaning service is not always available between guests, please leave the cabin as you would like to find it.
Natural Features
Perched at 5,600 feet elevation, Clearwater Lookout Cabin offers panoramic views of the expansive Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, from sunrise to sunset.The rugged landscape of the wilderness stretches across the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. The mountain slopes are carpeted with bunchgrass, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir.
An array of wildlife, including Rocky Mountain Elk, bighorn sheep, white-tailed and mule deer, black bears, cougars and coyotes may be spotted.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest general stores and gas stations are in Pomeroy, a 40-minute drive from the cabin.Charges & Cancellations
For Reservation Changes & Cancellation Fees, please see Rules & Reservation Policies.
The facts
- Season: Year Round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: AREA CLEARWATER LOOKOUT CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.
1 campsite at Clearwater Lookout Cabin
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | AREA CLEARWATER LOOKOUT CABIN | Cabin Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 4 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Pomeroy, take 15th Street south which turns into Peola Rd and follow for 8 miles. The road then turns into Mountain Road, follow for 7.5 miles on pavement to the forest boundary. Continue on Forest Service Road 40 for about 9 miles to Clearwater Junction. The cabin is located to the right at the base of Clearwater Lookout Tower. Guests may park right beside the cabin, but not on the concrete helipad.
Automobile access to the site is from June 1 to November 1. In winter, visitors must park at the Rose Springs Sno-Park, about 1.5 miles inside the forest boundary. From this point, guests can either snowmobile or cross country ski about 6.5 miles on a beginner to intermediate-level trail. Know the weather forecast before leaving as winter weather can change quickly.
A Washington State Sno-Park permit is required to park at the Sno-Park. Permits can be purchased from any Washington State Park office.
46.20304, -117.57493 · 46°12'10.9"N 117°34'29.8"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 5.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Clearwater Lookout Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
- Yes, Clearwater Lookout Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Clearwater Lookout Cabin have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Clearwater Lookout Cabin.
- Are campfires allowed at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
- Campfires are allowed at Clearwater Lookout Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Clearwater Lookout Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Clearwater Lookout Cabin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- It is $50 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.
Restrictions:
- There is no water at this site; therefore renters will need to bring a supply of water for drinking, cooking, and washing.
- Renters will need to bring sleeping bags and/or bedding and are encouraged to bring their personal cooking and eating utensils for their stay.
- No garbage service available. If you pack it in, please pack it out.
- Pets are welcome; visitors are required to clean up after them.
- No smoking.
Accessibility:
- Weather Related: Automobile access to this site runs from approximately mid June through the end of October, depending on weather conditions. Since automobile access may be earlier or later than anticipated, when making your reservation be prepared to have an alternate travel method (snow mobile, sn
Camping near Clearwater Lookout Cabin
- Clearwater Big House 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tucannon Guard Station 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Teal Spring Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
- Big Springs Campground 2.5 mi · Campground
- Alder Thicket Campground 3.9 mi · Campground
- Ladybug Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
- Diamond Trailhead 6.1 mi · Facility
- Tucannon Campground 6.1 mi · Campground
- Forest Boundary Campground 6.2 mi · Campground
- Panjab Campground 6.3 mi · Campground
- Kelly Camp Trailhead 6.6 mi · Facility
- Pataha Campground 6.8 mi · Campground
Contact
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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