American Ridge Lodge

Tucked in the foothills of the Cascades, the American Ridge Lodge sits just outside the boundary of the William O. Douglas Wilderness. The rustic and spacious 43-foot x 48-foot lodge, although largely unfurnished, is equipped with a kitchen area, counter space and benches, and several closets and cabinets. There is an outdoor fire ring and picnic tables, as well as plenty of room on the grounds for dispersed camping, making it an ideal location for groups. The lodge does not have electricity, so bring lanterns. 

The wood stove in the lodge is not functional. Please do not attempt to use the stove.

History

In the 1930s, the Yakima Valley Ski Club worked with the US Forest Service to plan construction of the American River Ski Bowl, one of the first downhill ski areas in Washington State. From 1933 through 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a ranger station with workshops, storage buildings and employee houses, a guard station on American River, a back country trail shelter at Swamp Lake, four lookouts, ten public campgrounds, eight bridges, sixty miles of road, and the American Ridge Ski Bowl. By the late 1950s, the White Pass Ski area was built, offering deeper snow, a longer ski season and steeper slopes. American Ridge Ski Bowl couldn’t compete and lay vacant for years. The remaining day lodge and unique twenty-seater outhouse were carefully restored and have been available to the public for rent since 1984.