Cottonwood Cabin is in central Washington's Entiat Valley, on the banks of the Entiat River four miles above Entiat Falls, in a mature lodgepole pine and spruce forest at an elevation of 3,000 feet.
Steeped in history
The cabin was constructed in the 1940s as an administrative site to house fire, trail and campground crew personnel. The facility also includes a barn and corral where the district kept stock during a portion of the season for use by the trail crew and fire lookouts.
A recreational oasis
Today the cabin offers visitors a wonderful setting for recreation and relaxation from June through November in the forested mountain terrain of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The area surrounding the cabin is home to abundant wildlife.
Guests will find that the surrounding area offers opportunities to hike, fish, bike and enjoy a long list of outdoor recreational activities throughout the year.
Anglers will enjoy casting a line into the Entiat River above Entiat Falls. Carving through a wide, U-shaped valley, the river is dominated by relatively shallow riffles interspersed with pools, plunge pools and glides where the trout fishing is quite good.
Nearby Silver Falls Trail is a 1.8 mile hike along Silver Creek to the base of the 141-foot Silver Falls. Along the way, hikers are treated to views of the 141-foot cascade, as well as the Entiat valley below, and the mountains above. Beautiful stone staircases and bridges along the trail offer many stopping points to take the perfect photograph.
Amenities: Cottonwood Cabin is 20 feet by 16 feet. Water is available in the summer via a hand pump. Indoor hot and cold running water, propane cook stove, wall heater, refrigerator, and LED lights. Outside is a private shower facility and pit toilet. Furnishings include a dining table, lounge chair, futon sofa that coverts to a double bed, and a separate double bed. The small kitchen area is supplied with basic pots, pans, silverware and plates. A picnic table and fire ring is adjacent to the cabin on the river bank. There is one tent pad.
Operating Hours: June through November.
Fees: $60 per night, with a maximum of four occupants.
Reservations: The minimum stay is two nights for non-holiday weekdays, three nights for a weekend, and three nights for a holiday weekend. The maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights. Reservations made through Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
Think safety: Campfires may not be permitted during periods of high fire danger.
Accessibility: By car in summer and by snowmobile or skis in the winter.
Other info: Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. No smoking inside the cabin. Smoking is allowed outside in safe places only. Pets are welcome. Nearest gas, groceries and supplies 28 miles away.
- Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, an occasional black bear and migratory birds
- Towering cedar and pines
- Beautiful stone staircases and bridge
- Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, and Eastern brook trout
- Cottonwood Campground
48.02072326, -120.6408524
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest encompasses more than 4 million acres in Washington State. Its boasts a wide geographic range - from the high, glaciated alpine peaks along the Cascade Crest and the numerous mountain ranges extending eastward from the crest, through deep, lush valleys of old growth forest, to the dry and rugged shrub-steppe country at its eastern edge.