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The Fish Lake Remount Depot Cabins sit at an altitude of 3,200 feet near the Santiam Pass Winter Recreation Area of the Willamette National Forest. 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 and a supervisor's cabin, known as the Hall House, are available as rentals either separately or together. The compound was once used to house firefighters and corral horses. It is still used as a rest and resupply station by the Forest Service horse packer heading in and out of Wilderness areas. Guests must walk, cross-country ski or snowshoe approximately one mile to access the cabins from Lava Lake Sno-Park.
Seven Sno-Parks are within the Santiam Pass Recreation Area, a 15-minute drive from the the cabins, including Lava Lake Sno-Park and Ray Benson Sno-Park. These Sno-Parks offer access to both motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities.
Two cabins are available for rental at this site from winter through early spring. The Hall House is a 3-room cabin featuring 1 bedroom, a shared common room with a hideaway bed, and a kitchen. The Commissary Cabin features a bedroom and kitchen. Both cabins have the same amenities, which include 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.
The compound is accessed by a trail that traverses through dense evergreen forest. From the cabins, guests can enjoy the view of Fish Lake and its forested shoreline. The lake is shallow in winter, but will dry up and turn into meadow in the late summer. Willamette National Forest offers prime habitat for such species as Roosevelt elk, black bear, bald eagles, black tail deer and bobcats, among other wildlife.
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 (left) side of the highway. From Eugene, take Highway 126 east to Highway 20 (approximately 70 miles). At the intersection, turn west (left) and drive about a quarter mile. You will see Lava Lake Sno-Park on the north (left) 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 (right) side of the highway. You must park your vehicle(s) at Lava Lake Sno-Park. Oregon State Sno-Park permits are required for parking November 1-April 30. 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.
We had been there once before when the lake had water... but seeing it this way was a sight I never expected... or was so open, freeing... I just wanted to find a spot, sit and stay... then to find the forestry area... the old cabin, barn, old farm tools.. was a pleasant surprise.. though I wish I could have gotten better pictures of the blacksmith area..
Rustic, historic cabins on a lake! Beautiful snowshoe trails, lots of trees. Very quiet. Great stargazing. Bring your own water and battery powered lights. Pack light. It's about a mile hike in.
