Recreation Residences

The recreation residence, or summer home program, at Gifford Pinchot National Forest has been in existence since the 1930’s. Summer homes provide a unique recreational experience!  

Cabin owners must obtain a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service. Owners then pay an annual land use fee to maintain and use their cabin on National Forest System lands, for recreational use, on a part-time basis.

Contact:

Joel Nowak, joel.nowak@usda.gov, (360) 819-3378.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters 
Attention: Special Uses
987 McClellan Road
Vancouver, WA 98661

Helpful Information for Cabin Owners

All project proposals should be submitted for review during a period called “Open Season,” which lasts from August 1 – September 15 every year. 

Cabin owners must receive written approval from the Forest Service before starting any project that disturbs the soil/vegetation or that affects the exterior of the cabin, as outlined in their Special Use Permit. The first step in the project approval process is to complete and submit a Mt Adams Project Proposal Form.docx during the Open Season.

Click on the Open Season Letter from District Ranger.pdf to read information from Mt Adams District Ranger Erin Black regarding Open Season.

• Hazard Tree Protocol
• Hazard Tree Removal Request Form 2024
• Self-Inspection Form (.docx)
• Government Mineral Springs Recreation Residences - Operations & Maintenance Plan 2023 (.pdf)
• Noxious weed list for Washington State (.pdf) 

Information for Prospective Cabin Owners

• Sample- Special Use Permit
• Request for Permit Revocation and New Permit Application
• New Permittee Checklist (.pdf) | New Permitee Checklist (.docx)

Additional Resources

General Information about Special Uses

 

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