Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Willow Prairie Cabin - Oregon

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

History

Willow Prairie Cabin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1924 by the road crew constructing the Butte Falls/Fish Lake Highway, they used it as a base-camp while they completed their task during 1924-1926. Willow Prairie was very remote in those days, so the crew could not travel to their homes at the end of the day. Over the years the Forest Service preserved the cabin, and built the Willow Prairie Campground adjacent to the cabin site. In 1991 the campground was converted to a horse camp, and the cabin is considered a premium site for equestrians. However, the cabin is definitely also available for rent by people without horses.

Description

Willow Prairie Cabin is located in the southwest portion of the magnificent volcanic Cascade Mountain Range at the foot of Mt. McLoughlin, at an elevation of 4,300 feet. The one-room cabin has two shutter-style windows (no glass), a wood stove for heat, and rustic furnishings, including a table and chairs and a couple of sleeping cots. There is counter space for meal preparation (visitors must supply cookware and utensils), and places to hang lanterns.

Outside the cabin is a rock fire ring for campfires. Firewood is often available; however, visitors are encouraged to bring their own firewood and a camp stove for cooking. A vault toilet is located near the cabin.

Area Attractions & Activities

The cabin is adjacent to the Willow Prairie Campground , and is surrounded by nineteen-plus miles of horse trails. There are four 12 x 12 foot paddocks and water troughs near the cabin for up to four horses. In addition to horseback riding, enjoy camping, hunting and winter sports, such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Adjacent to the camp is Willow Prairie, a large wetlands with a beaver swamp, and several large ponds where wildlife abounds. Watch for sandhill cranes, great blue herons, Canada geese, ducks, and red-tailed hawks, as well as elk, and deer.

Amenities

• Corrals
• Vault Toilet
• Wood Stove
• Picnic Table

There are additional campsites at the adjacent Willow Prairie Campground.

Pets

Pets are welcome but must be leashed.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

From Butte Falls, take the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road 821) approximately 17 miles southeast to Forest Service Road (FSR) 3738. Turn west on FSR 3738 and drive 1.3 miles to the intersection of FSR 3735. Continue west across the intersection, off the main road, and on to a little dirt road. At the next junction, turn left and the cabin will soon be in sight.

For an alternative route, bypassing the town of Butte Falls, travel State Highway 140 to the Fish Lake vicinity and take the County Road 821 turn-off to the north, and then continue on to FSR 3738.

Wheeled-vehicle access is usually possible only from late spring through fall. Vehicle access in winter is subject to weather conditions. Winter parking along Highway 140 is permissible in designated areas with an Oregon State Sno-Park permit. Winter access on skis or snowmobiles can range from two to six miles, and the difficulty level will be moderate to difficult depending on snow conditions.

Visitors pulling a trailer or driving a low-clearance vehicle must turn left at the intersection of FSR 3738 and FSR 3735 and travel a quarter of a mile to the Willow Prairie Campground overflow parking area. This is where horses may be unloaded and horse trailers, as well as vehicles, may be parked during the visitor’s stay.