Louella Cabin


Area Status: Open

Louella CabinLouella Cabin offers visitors a unique turn-of-the-century retreat in a forested open meadow. With its white walls and inviting covered porch, sitting on a gentle slope flanked by towering Douglas-firs, Louella Cabin looks out over the fruit orchard and valley. The four-room cabin has a living room with a futon couch that unfolds into a bed, two bedrooms, one with double bed and one with twin bunk beds, and a kitchen with a table and chairs. The kitchen is also equipped with a cook stove, refrigerator, limited dishes, pots, silverware and cooking utensils. The cabin also has electricity, lights, and a propane heater. Propane is furnished.   No drinking water available. Bring your own water for cooking, drinking and other household uses. There is an outdoor "port-a-potty" and it is serviced weekly. There is an accessible fire ring near the cabin for outdoor barbecuing and campfires, as well as a covered accessible picnic table.

  • Availability: Louella Cabin is available for rent year round *except Thursdays for cleaning.
  • Price and Capacity: $60 per night per group, with a maximum of six occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.
  • Reservations: The maximum length stay is seven consecutive nights.  Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov 

History

The Louella Guard Station was built in 1912 by Forest Service employee E. M. Cheney, who dedicated the structure to his wife, Louella. A fireguard was stationed here during the summer and fall, and then the buildings were closed for the winter. During the Great Depression, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was built in the lower part of the meadow below the cabin and consisted of barracks, bathhouse, and mess hall. 

The CCC worked on many projects including fire lookouts, trails, bridges, roads, and they planted trees after forest fires in the late 1800s and early 1900s. After the CCC camp closed in 1939, the cabin was used by other agencies such as the U.S. Army until 1976. It was unoccupied until it was repaired and made available for public lodging.    

Front and side of Louella Cabin Front of Louella cabin showing the gravel pathway Inside the cabin near an entrance. Looking at the backdoor of Louella Cabin Front of Louella porch looking across from the right.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Open for reservations, can be booked 6 months in advance.
Open Season: Open year-round. Closed every Thursday for cleaning.
Usage: Medium
Restrictions: No pets allowed
Closest Towns: Sequim, WA
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Hood Canal Ranger District, (360) 765-2200

General Information

Directions:

Getting There:

Louella Cabin (WA)
Hood Canal Ranger District
Quilcene WA 98376

From Sequim, WA, travel on US Highway 101 east for 4 miles to Sequim Bay State Park. Turn southwest on Louella Road, across from the Park. Go one mile, turn left onto the Palo Alto Road and travel approximately 4 miles. The access drive to Louella Cabin is by a bulletin board on the right. Turn into the driveway, go past the first building, and Louella Cabin is on the right.


General Notes:
  • No smoking
  • No pets allowed
  • There is no additional camping on site
  • No potable water onsite
  • No burning candles in the cabin

Amenities

  • Heater
  • Cook Stove
  • Refrigerator
  • Lights
  • Electricity

Other Information

Please come prepared for your stay. Recommended items include: bedding, kitchen and bath linens, toilet articles, toilet paper, bar soap, paper towels, dish soap, mouse-proof containers for food; and in case the power fails, flashlights and extra batteries. For a more complete list, please call (360) 765-2200.

  • The nearest phone is 5 miles away at Sequim Bay State Park.
  • Access may require chains in the winter during periods of heavy snow; the last 1/8 mile of road is not plowed.
  • Please bring your own garbage bags. This is a Pack it in, Pack it out site.
  • Contact the Ranger District prior to your visit to check on any restrictions or conditions i.e. fire or roads etc.

Living area has chairs a small rug and historic photo.

 


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Cabin Rentals

The cabin is conveniently located near the Buckhorn Wilderness, which offers excellent opportunities for backpacking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain climbing and hiking, with over 58 miles of trails.

Dungeness and Gray Wolf Rivers, the major streams that feed into the Wilderness, offer many fishing opportunities. Enjoy mountain scenery, old growth forests, and bird watching. Sequim is 10 miles from the cabin and is the nearest town for supplies. Visitors may also take day trips to Port Angeles and Port Townsend.
 

Day Hiking

Nearby access to wilderness and non-wilderness hiking trails.

Interpretive Areas

SITE HISTORY The Louella Guard Station was built in 1912 by Forest Service employee, E. M. Cheney. Mr. Cheney dedicated the structure to his wife, Louella. A fireguard was stationed here during the summer and fall. The buildings were closed during the winter months. During the Great Depression, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was built in the lower part of the meadow below the cabin and consisted of barracks, bathhouse, and mess hall. The CCC's worked on many projects including fire lookouts, trails, bridges, roads, and they planted trees after forest fires in the late 1800's and early 1900's. After the CCC camp closed in 1939, the cabin was used by other agencies such as the U.S Army until 1976. It was unoccupied until it was repaired and made available for public lodging.

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
47.995199

  Longitude : 
-123.084905

  Elevation : 
1500