For the Winter 2020-2021 Season we encourage planning winter trips without using any winter shelters. Many are small and social distancing is difficult to impossible to maintain. Shelters are not stocked with firewood.
The Willamette National Forest has several winter shelters maintained by dedicated volunteers for use by winter sports enthusiasts. Some of the shelters permit overnight stays; some are warming shelters only. There are also three winter cabin rentals available by advance reservation.
Shelter Regulations:
Shelters cannot be reserved and exclusive use by individuals and groups is prohibited.
Overnight stays are permitted from November 15 to April 30.
Maximum stay limit is 3 nights.
Shelters must be shared with whomever would like to use the shelter.
All shelters are backcountry sites - all garbage and human waste (if there is no restroom facility) along with extra food and supplies should be packed out. Follow Leave No Trace principles as you enjoy your winter outing.
Firewood (if provided) is to be used in woodstoves only.
Mountain View Shelter --- CLOSED for the 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19.
Accessed from the Maxwell Sno-park, the shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. Overnight maximum capacity is 15 persons. Visitors to the Mt. View Shelter can use either the Big Meadows road or the Maxwell Sno-Park parking areas; however, it is recommended that overnight visitors use the Maxwell area since there is a risk of vehicles at Big Meadows being temporarily "plowed in" in the event of a major snowfall overnight. Please report any misuse, vandalism or suggestions to the Detroit Ranger District.
McCoy Snow Shelter --- CLOSED for 2020-2021 season due to Lionshead Fire closure.
Located in the McCoy Snowmobile Area, the shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. Overnight maximum capacity is 15 persons. Please report any misuse, vandalism or suggestions to the Detroit Ranger District.
Shelters on the Deschutes National Forest
Three shelters on the Deschutes National Forest - Brandenburg Shelter, Island Junction Shelter and North Blowout Shelter are accessible from trails that lead off from Ray Benson Sno-park on the Willamette National Forest. They are designed as warming shelters and do not lend themselves to overnight use. There are no sanitation facilities. Find out more about winter recreation on the Deschutes National Forest.
All shelters in the Willamette Pass area are three sided except for the Gold Lake Sno-park Warming Hut/Backcountry Patrol Cabin and the Maiden Peak Cabin, which are fully enclosed. The Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol staffs the Gold Lake Sno-park Warming Hut/Backcountry Patrol Cabin and maintains the shelters near the Gold Lake Sno-Park. Chris and Kathy Jensen and volunteers maintain the Maiden Peak Cabin.
Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-Park, the South Waldo Shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a wood stove, sleeping bench, and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons.
Gold Lake Shelter
Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-park, this shelter, located at the outlet of Gold Lake, has been a popular ski destination since the 1960s. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a wood stove, picnic table, sleeping bench and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons.
Gold Lake Sno Park Warming Hut/ Backcountry Patrol Cabin --- CLOSED for 2020-2021 season.
Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-park, the day use only Gold Lake Patrol Cabin is known as one of the finest Nordic facilities in Oregon. Staffed by the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol volunteers, the cabin serves as an office and an overnight medical/search/rescue base for the patrol; a daytime warming center with hot drinks, snacks, and a wood stove; an information center where visitors can buy trail maps, receive winter safety information, and get up-to-date weather and trail conditions.
Westview Shelter
Westview shelter is an easy one-mile ski from the Gold Lake Sno-park and provides access to the Westview Snow Trail System. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons.
Accessed from Salt Creek Falls Sno-park and Waldo Lake Sno-park, the Fuji Shelter sits at approximately 5600 feet and has an inspiring view of Diamond Peak and Salt Creek Canyon. Its location off Fuji Creek Road 5894 (across from Salt Creek Falls access road) provides access to numerous cross-country ski trails including Birthday Lakes, Pothole Meadows, Fuji Mountain and Island Lakes. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor.
Overnight maximum capacity: 4 people.
Bechtel Shelter
Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-park, it is an approximately 2.3 mile easy road ski from the Gold Lake Sno-Park. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons.
Maiden Peak Shelter --- CLOSED for 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19.
Accessed from Willamette Pass Sno-park, This unique, octagon shaped fully enclosed log cabin has a large sleeping loft, a wooden floor, several benches, three tables, a solar lighting system, a large woodstove with a rock hearth, and a covered entryway. Located at 6000 feet on the west side of Maiden Peak, this site was selected to provide a more advanced ski destination and access to backcountry skiing on and around Maiden Peak. It can accommodate 15 people overnight.
