Fry Meadow Guard Station

Situated along the shady canopy of towering spruce and fir, Fry Meadow Guard Station sits at the edge of an expansive meadow of grasses and beautiful splashes of color from wildflowers, such as lupine, larkspur, monkey flower and orchids. Enjoy the peaceful solitude of this remote nature-lover’s paradise just south of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and west of the Wild and Scenic Grande Ronde River.

Fry Meadow Guard Station, a two-room cabin with a combined living room/sleeping area and a kitchen, offers visitors a rustic camping experience. The cabin is furnished with four beds with mattresses and a table and chairs, and the kitchen is equipped with a propane cook stove. Both rooms have propane lights, but there is no heating. There is no water on site, and visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. An outhouse is located near the cabin. Pets are welcome but must be leashed and outside. There is additional space in the yard for tent camping.

Availability: Fry Meadow Guard Station is available for rent May 15 through November 20.
Price and Capacity: $40 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the guard station.
Reservations: The maximum-length stay is fourteen consecutive nights. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov

History

This site was originally established as a ranger station before 1908 as part of the former Wenaha National Forest. The existing cabin was constructed in the early 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp and was used as a remote guard station until about 1980.

The area, particularly the nearby Grande Ronde River and Valley, is steeped with native history and culture as it was home to the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse Indians. The tribes raised strong, wiry little horses (widely praised by white settlers for their keen ability to herd cattle) on the Grande Ronde Valley range, and often hunted and dug for camas roots in the area.

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

General Information

No smoking
No pack and saddle stock allowed
Pets are welcome but must be leashed and outside
There is additional space in the yard for tent camping

Amenities

Outhouse
No Water
Propane Cook Stove
Propane Lights

May 15 - November 14

May 15 to November 14

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 45.78667

Longitude: -117.83167

Directions

From Weston, Oregon: Travel 20 miles east of Weston on Highway 204. Turn left (north) onto Forest Service Road 64 and follow it for approximately 11 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 63. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 63 and travel about 8.8 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 62. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 62 and travel for 3.9 miles to Forest Service Road 6235. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 6235 and travel for about 1.1 miles to the Fry Meadow Guard Station, which will be on the right.

From Elgin, Oregon: Travel 1 mile northwest of Elgin on Highway 204. Turn right (north) onto County Road 40 and go 4 miles. Turn left onto County Road 42 and travel approximately 13 miles towards Palmer Junction. Continue straight onto County Road 43. Just past Palmer Junction the road Y’s – stay to the left and go up the hill. Travel 7 miles past Palmer Junction (NOTE: County Road 43 becomes Forest Service Road 6231 at the forest boundary). Fry Meadow Guard Station will become visible through a meadow on your left. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 6235. Travel approximately 300 feet and the entrance to the cabin is the immediate next left.

Automobile access to the site tends to run from June 1 to November 1, and parking is available at the cabin. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile. Skiers and snowshoers can access the cabin from Lookingglass Creek. Travel distance will vary with the snow conditions, but they should expect a travel distance of about 7 miles, including a 3 mile climb. The route follows existing roads designed for passenger car travel. Snowmobilers can also access the cabin from Lookingglass Creek, or they can park at existing sno-parks along Highway 204 and follow snowmobile trails for about 25 miles to the cabin.