Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab
Umatilla National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: HEPPNER, OR, OR
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (18 reviews)
Season: May through October
Ditch Creek Guard Station, located about 27 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, is a comfortable little cabin that accommodates six overnight guests, with additional space for tent camping outside. Equestrian campers are welcome and a corral with trough is provided. The guard station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ditch-creek-guard-station-cab to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1930s CCC-built cabin accommodating six guests with tent camping available, located 27 miles southeast of Heppner with fishing, hiking, and horseback riding opportunities. Campers praise it as a cozy, comfortable retreat for small groups.
Wildlife alert: Northern Pygmy-Owl, American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, and Turkey Vulture documented in the area
Insider tips for Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand Expect no running water; the facility will email 2 weeks before reservation to confirm water status Equestrian campers welcome with corral and trough provided
Skip Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab if: You need hookups — no hookups available. You require counterspace in the cabin — reviewers report minimal counter space. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Bull Prairie Campground (Or) (Heppner, OR), Tamarack Cabin (HEPPNER, OR), John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds (Prineville, OR), Lower Camp Creek Campground (John Day, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab
Cell signal at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab (HEPPNER, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Ditch Creek Guard Station, located about 27 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, is a comfortable little cabin that accommodates six overnight guests, with additional space for tent camping outside. Equestrian campers are welcome and a corral with trough is provided. The guard station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand
Expect no running water; the facility will email 2 weeks before reservation to confirm water status
Equestrian campers welcome with corral and trough provided
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Lexington, OR, take Highway 74/207 east to Heppner. At the junction just outside the southern edge of Heppner, take a left (east) on paved Willow Creek Road. Travel 23 miles past Willow Creek Lake, Cutsforth County Park and up Coalmine Hill. At the top of the hill, take a right (west) on Forest Service Road 21 (a gravel road) and travel 3.5 miles. The cabin is located on a hill on the north side of the road and is accessed by two short entrance roads (Forest Service Road 050 and 051).
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Umatilla National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Umatilla National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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