If you have had trouble finding the right bulbs or the perfect perennials in your Tamarack Lookout Cabin (or) area, Naturehills.com has a huge selection of bulbs, fruit trees, vines and much more, all found on our easy to navigate website. Our goal is to help our customers make the world a more beautiful and healthy place, one garden at a time, so sign up for the newsletter at Naturehills.com to get the latest and most comprehensive gardening information beyond what is available at the local Tamarack Lookout Cabin (or) nursery. If you need a special gift for the nature lover in your life, give the gift of a gardening project- one of nature’s best stress reliefs! Our website allows you to explore varieties of plants and products beyond your local availability but our inventory comes with the security of a satisfaction guarantee and links to forums of gardeners who share your passion for nature.
At Naturehills, we embrace nature. Below you will find a list of state parks in Heppner we have compiled for you.
DITCH CREEK GUARD STATION CAB (OR)
Description
Ditch Creek Guard Station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 or 1935. The cabin is a classic example of building construction by CCC crews on the Umatilla National Forest. It is located at an elevation of 4,800 feet near Ditch Creek, which is one of numerous small perennial streams that flow south off the District into the North Fork John Day River. The building complex is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin is a one-story building containing a bedroom, living room, bathroom with a toilet and kitchen nook. It is not accessible to wheelchairs due to narrow doors and hallways. NO POTABLE WATER IS AVAILABLE. There are 2 bunk beds and a dresser in the bedroom, and a table with 4 chairs, 2 easy chairs and a heating stove in the living room. The kitchen has a refrigerator, cook stove, fire extinguisher, cookware, silverware and dishes. The nook has 2 additional chairs and a small table. All appliances and lighting are propane, which is provided by the Forest Service. Outside, there is a picnic table, fire pit, and a 20' X 20' horse corral for use by cabin renters. The fire pit may only be used during acceptable fire danger levels (inquire at the District Office prior to arrival). The Heppner Ranger District offers wide variety of recreational opportunities that can be accessed from Ditch Creek Guard Station. There are over 26 miles of trails throughout the District that are available for hiking or horseback riding. Fishing opportunities exist in streams throughout the District, as well as Penland Lake (electric motors only) and Bull Prairie Lake (no motors allowed). The West End Off-Highway Vehicle Area (FS Rd 22 west) consists of over 91,000 acres open to Class I and III All Terrain Vehicles. Morrow County OHV Park is also located 14 miles southwest. Wintertime brings opportunities for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The local snowmobile club takes on the responsibility of grooming 110 of the 173 miles of road designated for snowmobiling.
P.O. BOX 7
HEPPNER,OR,97836
Phone: 541-676-9187
View Regional Map
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
Directions
Ditch Creek Guard Station is located approximately 26.5 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 21. From west I-84 take Hwy 74 exit to Lexington/Heppner. Drive 45 miles through the towns of Ione and Lexington to Heppner. Continue south, on Hwy 207, just outside the southern limits of Heppner, take a left (east) on Willow Creek Rd (paved). Travel 23 miles past Willow Creek Lake, Cutsforth County Park, and up Coalmine Hill. At the top of the hill, FS Rd 21 joins Willow Creek Rd. The route from I-84 to this junction is also part of the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway and is periodically marked with signs indicating it as such. Take a right (west) on Rd 21 (gravel) 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 (FS Rd 050 and 051). From near the town of Ukiah, at the junction of Hwy 244 and Hwy 395, take FS Rd 53 to its junction with FS Rd 21 (approximately 23 miles from Ukiah). Take a left (west) on RD 21 (gravel) and follow the directions above to the cabin. From Central Oregon, take Hwy 207 (north), 3 miles east of Spray. Travel 17 miles to the junction of Hwy 207 and FS Rd 21. Turn right (east) on Rd 21 (gravel) and travel 27.5 miles past Tupper Guard Station to the cabin. The upper portion of Willow Creek Rd and FS Rd 21 are not plowed during the winter, so the closest parking may be 5.5 miles away at Cutsforth Park. The first two miles are uphill, 4-8% grade. Contact the Heppner Ranger District regarding current road conditions.
TAMARACK LOOKOUT CABIN (OR)
Description
Tamarack Lookout Cabin was the housing for Forest Service personnel using the lookout for fire detection. The original cabin was built in 1934 and destroyed by an accidental fire in 1966. A garage/utility shed was then converted to the existing cabin. Tamarack Mountain is located at an elevation of 4, 979 feet and overlooks the John Day River basin, between Spray and Kimberly. The cabin is one-room facility and is furnished with a cook stove, refrigerator, cookware, silverware, dishes, a heating stove, and two bunk beds. All appliances and lighting are propane, which is provided by the Forest Service. Outside there is a fire pit and picnic table. The fire pit may only be used during acceptable fire danger levels (inquire at the District Office prior to arrival). Fishing opportunities exist in streams throughout the District, as well as Penland Lake (electric motors only) and Bull Prairie Lake (no motors allowed). The West End Off-Highway Vehicle Area (FS Rd 22 west) consists of over 91, 000 acres open to Class I and III All Terrain Vehicles. Morrow County OHV Park is also located 10 miles north.
P.O BOX 7
HEPPNER,OR,97836
Phone: 541-676-9187
View Regional Map
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
Directions
Tamarack Lookout Cabin is located approximately 43 miles south of Heppner. From west I-84 take Hwy 74 to Lexington/Heppner. Drive 45 miles through the towns of Ione and Lexington to Heppner. Continue south on Hwy 207 for 39 miles through Heppner, Ruggs, Hardman and past Anson Wright County Park to the junction of Hwy 207 and FS Rd 24 (.10 miles past the Bull Prairie Campground turn off). Turn left (east) on Rd 24 (gravel) and travel 6.5 miles to FS Rd 2407. Turn right (south) on Rd 2407 and travel 1.5 miles to FS Rd 040. Travel .5 miles on Rd 040 to the cabin. The cabin is on the left before you get to the lookout. From near the town of Ukiah, at the junction of Hwy 244 and Hwy 395, take FS Rd 53 to its junction with FS Rd 21 (approximately 23 miles from Ukiah). Take a left (west) on Rd 21 (gravel) and travel 31 miles past Ditch Creek Guard Station and Tupper Guard Station to Hwy 207. Take a left (south) on Hwy 207 and travel 6.5 miles to the junction of Hwy 207 and FS Rd 24. (.10 miles past the Bull Prairie Campground turn off). Take a left (east) on Rd 24 (gravel) and follow the directions above to the cabin. From Central Oregon take Hwy 207 (north), 3 miles east of Spray. Travel 10.5 miles to the junction of Hwy 207 and FS Rd 24. Take a right (east) on Rd 24 and follow the directions above to the cabin. Automobile access to the cabin runs from mid-May to mid-November. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. The last mile to the cabin is steep and rocky, therefore, a high clearance vehicle is recommended.
