Caretakers Cabin

Star4.15
14 reviews
P.O. BOX 158, UKIAH, OR 97880, USA
Scenic Views

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

$80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Electric

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Caretakers Cabin
$80.00 - $80.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The fee for the Caretaker's Cabin is $80 per night across all seasons. This fee does not include reservation service fees, taxes, or any incremental...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(541)427-3231
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What Campers Say

4.15

Satisfactory

Based on 14 reviews

Most mentioned

viewslocationhiking

"User reviews for Caretakers Cabin are generally positive, emphasizing its rustic charm, historical value, and family-friendly atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the quiet environment without cell service and unique opportunities to experience a simpler lifestyle, although there are some concerns about cleanliness and outdated amenities."

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Campground Map

P.O. BOX 158, UKIAH, OR 97880, USA

Caretakers Cabin

P.O. BOX 158, UKIAH, OR 97880, USA

Driving directionsFrom Pendleton, Oregon: Travel south on Highway 395 for 50 miles to the Ukiah exit. Turn left on Highway 244 to Ukiah. Turn right (south) just before the city park; this road becomes Forest Service Road (FSR) 52 at the Forest boundary. Travel 50 miles to the small town of Granite. From Granite go west on County Road 24 for approximately 6 miles. The main road veers left along the creek bed. At this junction turn right (uphill) on FSR 10 and follow the signs to the Fremont Powerhouse, towards Fremont Congo Gulch Cabin. Do not use between October and June without confirming this route is open with the Ranger District. From Baker City, Oregon: Travel west on Highway 7 and continue 20 miles to the junction with FSR 73. Proceed north through Sumpter and another 17 miles to the small town of Granite. From Granite go west on County Road 24 for approximately 6 miles. The main road veers left along the creek bed. At this junction turn right (uphill) on FSR 10 and follow the signs to the Fremont Powerhouse, towards Fremont Congo Gulch Cabin. This route is plowed in the winter and provides the only winter access.
Road access varies seasonally. FS Road 52 is not maintained in winter, limiting access between October and May to the Baker City route. Visitors using FS Road 52 during these months should confirm road conditions with the District as heavy snow can cause vehicles to get stuck.
Nearby places
Granite (6 miles, approximately 10 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Groceries and fuel can be found in Granite, less than 6 miles from the cabin. Additional supplies may be required from cities like Baker City or Pendleton.

Best Time to Camp at Caretakers Cabin

Experience the dramatic beauty of mountain seasons at their finest. Winter transforms the landscape into a pristine wonderland where snow blankets the forest and adventure seekers arrive by snowmobile or snowshoe, creating memories worthy of a vintage postcard. As summer unfolds, mild temperatures paint perfect days for exploring forest trails, spotting wildlife at dawn, and savoring cool mountain evenings under star-filled skies. Each season brings its own magic to this high-country retreat.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5
Top 12% in OR

Peak season May–Sep; swimming, fishing and boating at Olive Lake and ample hiking.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Scenic fall colors and seasonal activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking noted.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring offers trails reopening and emerging seasonality; water limited until May in some months.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round with heating and snow access, but water is off Oct–May requiring outhouse use.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 1 to September 30 (Peak Season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: The cabin is open for reservations year-round with limited water availability from October to May.
  • Current Alerts: Winter access through FS Road 52 can be treacherous. Visitors are urged to verify road conditions before travel.

About Caretakers Cabin

Step back in time at the Caretaker's Cabin, where 1930s elegance meets modern comfort in the heart of the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. This captivating mountain retreat welcomes up to 10 guests into a world where claw-footed bathtubs and vintage furnishings tell stories of a bygone era, while electric lights and heaters ensure your stay is as comfortable as it is memorable. Perfect for milestone celebrations, intimate weddings, or multi-generational family gatherings, this historic gem offers an extraordinary escape where every corner whispers tales of the past.
Caretakers Cabin provides a mix of cabin lodging and primitive camping opportunities. Guests can rent the cabin and use the grassy yard for pitching tents.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in by 11:00 AM
Check-out
Check-out by 12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit is 14 consecutive nights during any visit.

Amenities available

Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Lodging and accommodations

Activities you can enjoy

Caretakers Cabin provides a variety of recreational activities for guests. Hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing are among the popular activities in the area. Seasonal activities such as huckleberry and mushroom picking add unique experiences for campers. Nearby Olive Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming.
HikingGuests can hike on the North Fork John Day Wilderness trails, which offer scenic views and varying levels of difficulty.
FishingFishing is available at nearby Olive Lake, which is less than 7 miles away from the cabin. The lake is described as primitive and beautiful, and campers often spend afternoons fishing, swimming, or having picnics.
SwimmingSwimming is permitted at Olive Lake, which features two boat docks and a perimeter trail. Kids can swim directly off the docks.
BikingMountain biking is available on forest roads surrounding the cabin.
BoatingBoating opportunities are available at nearby Olive Lake. Although specific types of boats are not mentioned, the lake features a primitive and scenic environment for water activities.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a major highlight, with species such as black bear, cougar, wolves, elk, and deer present in the area. Bird watchers can look for species like the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel, and boreal owl.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential wildlife hazards include black bears, cougars, and wolves. Winter access may be hazardous due to snow and lack of cell phone coverage.
Active AlertsWinter access through FS Road 52 can be treacherous. Visitors are urged to verify road conditions before travel.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Caretakers Cabin

Reviews

4.2
14 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Caretakers Cabin is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Caretakers Cabin are generally positive, emphasizing its rustic charm, historical value, and family-friendly atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the quiet environment without cell service and unique opportunities to experience a simpler lifestyle, although there are some concerns about cleanliness and outdated amenities.
Review Summaries
Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests praised the cabin's cozy atmosphere, historical significance, and remote location. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment of communal activities like dining and playing games at the large family...
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Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent issues include lack of sufficient kitchen supplies (e.g., forks, bowls, glasses), cleanliness problems such as mouse droppings, and outdated or broken amenities like the bathtub and vacuum...
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Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing additional kitchen supplies, drinking glasses, and paper towels. They also advise tall individuals to beware of low stair clearance. Many suggest exploring Olive Lake and...
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Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter guests appreciate the cabin's warmth due to electric heating and note the need to use the outhouse as water is shut off during this time. Summer visitors enjoy swimming and fishing at Olive...
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Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Make sure you bring anything necessary for cooking as what is there looks like it was left behind by others." - Megan Salvage 2. "Great little cabin." - Ray C 3. "The boys had a day off of school...
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Based on 14 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The cabin site (Site 01, Loop: Area Caretakers Cabin) is widely reviewed by visitors. While most appreciate the site's historical charm and family-friendly layout, some have noted cleanliness...
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Based on 14 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews do not specifically address accessibility features for individuals with disabilities, but parking access beside the cabin and flat areas such as the grassy yard may provide basic...
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Based on 14 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at the cabin and seem to enjoy the environment, as noted by reviewers. However, pets are required to be leashed at Olive Lake and certain trails.
Based on 14 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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