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Fish Lake Remount Depot - Commissary Cabin
Long used by Native Americans, the Fish Lake area was an important stop for weary travelers on the Santiam Wagon Road. The Forest Service first used Fish Lake as a ranger outpost in 1905. During the 1920s, it served as the field and dispatch headquarters for the Santiam National Forest, (the predecessor of the Willamette National Forest).
The Fish Lake Historic Site is open to the public year round and two restored remount depot cabins, the Commissary Cabin and the Hall House are open to the public and available to rent for overnight stays each winter from mid-November to mid-April.
These cabins were built in 1924 and are rustic, historic wood structures that include a dispatcher's cabin, a springhouse shed, a garage/woodshed and a fire hose shelter. The Commissary Cabin features a bedroom and kitchen. Guests must walk, cross-country ski or snowshoe approximately three-quarters of a mile to access the cabins from Lava Lake Sno-Park.
The Commissary Cabin has a full-size bed with mattress, table with chairs, sofa, propane heating and cooking stoves, solar-powered lighting, basic cookware and kitchen utensils. An outhouse with pit toilet is located nearby. Neither cabin has water or electricity. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 9/7/23: Temporarily closed due to the Lookout Fire. See the Lookout Fire Closure Order and Map. Fish Lake Interpretive Day Use area is open year round to visit. The cabin opens for winter season mid-November through mid-April. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: |
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| Reservations: | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. Open for reservation Thursday-Sunday 2-night minimum, 3-night maximum (Cabin rentals are limited to a single reservation per group per season.) |
| Fees: | $85.00 per night |
| Open Season: | Mid November - Mid April |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | December-February |
| Restrictions: |
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| Water: | Bring your own water |
| Restroom: | An outhouse is located outside the building |
| Operated By: | Willamette National Forest |
| Information Center: | McKenzie River Ranger District 57600 McKenzie Hwy McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 541-822-3381 |
General Information
Directions:GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
44.40528, -122.00583
44°24'19"N, 122°0'21"W
From Salem, take Highway 20 east through Sweet Home. Approximately 45 miles east of Sweet Home, Lava Lake Sno-Park will be on the north side of the highway.
From Eugene, take Highway 126 east to Highway 20 (approximately 70 miles). At the intersection, turn left (west) and drive about a quarter mile. You will see Lava Lake Sno-Park on the north side of the highway.
From Bend, take Highway 20 towards Sweet Home. Traveling west, a quarter mile past the intersection of Highways 20 and 126, Lava Lake Sno-Park will be on the north side of the highway.
You must park your vehicle(s) at Lava Lake Sno-Park. Sno-park permits are required. From Lava Lake Sno-Park, cross the highway and follow the blue diamond trail markers. You may hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe (approximately one mile) to the cabin. The Commissary Cabin is on a hill northeast of the depot archway.
General Notes:
Marked Nordic ski trails and snowmobile trails are found at the nearby Lava Lake Sno-Park. Seven sno-parks constituting the Santiam Pass Winter Recreation area are within a 15-minute drive of the area. Areas around these Sno-Parks offer miles of non-motorized trail opportunities.
Close by:
Parking:
You must park your vehicle(s) at Lava Lake Sno-Park. Sno-park permits are required. Permits are available at all DMV offices and by permit agents in resorts, sporting goods stores and retail outlets. National Forest offices do not sell Sno-Park permits. Funds from the permits go to the State of Oregon for plowing the parking areas.
Accessibility:
Activities
Cabin Rentals
Viewing Scenery
Alerts & Warnings
- ACTIVE FIRES: Petes Lake, Lookout, Bedrock, etc.
- FIRE CLOSURES: Wiley, Lookout, Bedrock, Cedar Creek, Beachie Creek & Lionshead
- Public Use Restrictions (Fire Restrictions) in Effect
- Prescribed burn planned in McKenzie Sept. 22
- Forest Road 46 open from Detroit to Estacada for summer
- Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam closed for construction June 5-Sept. 28, 2023
Related Information
Highlights
- Download the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Recreation App!
Planning your next national forest adventure? There's an app for that! The Pacific Northwest Forest Service Recreation App Now Available on Android and iOS Devices - Accessible Adventures Videos
See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley
- Recreation Passes
Location