Established Camping
Tamarack Cabin
Tamarack Cabin is located in the Umatilla National Forest, surrounded by forested terrain. The area experiences temperature highs around 85°F in summer and lows near 20°F in winter. Visitors can explore the nearby Morrow County OHV Park and the scenic views at the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Umatilla National Forest
Overview
Tamarack Cabin offers outdoor enthusiasts a quaint cabin with epic views atop Tamarack Mountain. The cabin can accommodate four guests, and a short walk through the trees awards a unique opportunity to view miles of the Umatilla National Forest from sunup to sundown. The site was originally used as a fire detection lookout. The original structure was a platform built on a high tree in 1925. It was replaced with a 96-foot Aermotor tower in 1933, and a neighboring cabin was built to house Forest Service employees. A utility shed was also built. When the cabin burnt down in 1966, the shed was converted into housing. That same shed is where guests can stay today. The tower is also still standing, and when the tower is staffed, visitors are welcome to climb up and enjoy the view.
Recreation
Over 26 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails on the Heppner Ranger District can be accessed from the cabin. Plentiful fishing opportunities abound in nearby streams and Bull Prairie Lake. Many roads are open to off-road vehicles, and 28 miles of designated trails are available. Other activities include hunting, wildlife viewing and bird watching. This site is not open in the winter.
Natural Features
At 4,979 feet above sea level, Tamarack Mountain overlooks the John Day River basin between Spray and Kimberly. The lookout and the mountain it tops are named after the western larch, a tree that is particularly plentiful in the Blue and Wallowa Mountains. Western tanagers and dusty flycatchers frequent the area and purple-blue spikes of lupine, white and pink yarrow and yellow balsamroot add bursts of color to the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Spray is the nearest town with a general store, gas, and propane which is about a half hour drive away. Heppner is about one hour away with a larger variety of stores for your recreational needs. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy Morrow County OHV Park, located 14 miles north on HWY 207. There are some food options, ice, and propane for sale at this site.
Location
Tamarack Cabin is located in Oregon
Directions
From Lexington, OR, take Highway 74/207 east to Heppner. Continue south, on Highway 207. At the junction in Heppner, bear right to continue south on Highway 207 for 39 miles through Heppner, Ruggs, Hardman and past Anson Wright County Park to the junction of Highway 207 and Forest Road 24 (0.1 miles past the Bull Prairie Campground turn-off). Turn left (east) on FR 24 (a gravel road) and travel 6.5 miles to FR 2407. Turn right (south) on FR 2407 and travel 1.5 miles to FR 040. Travel a half-mile on FR 40 to the cabin, which is on the right before the helipad. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for access as the last mile to the cabin is very steep and rocky.
Address
P.O BOX 7
Heppner, OR 97836
Coordinates
44.873432 N
119.66185 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 34 min from Kennewick
- 2 hrs 49 min from Bend
- 3 hrs 7 min from Walla Walla
- 3 hrs 43 min from Yakima
