Clearwater Lookout Cabin
Clearwater Lookout Cabin is a single story, wood frame structure constructed in 1935. It is tucked at the base of the Clearwater Lookout tower, a 94-foot steel tower constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps in 1933. Through the years, the tower has been used as a landmark by the public and employees of the Forest Service. The tower is no longer manned during fire season, but it is used on occasion during extreme fire conditions. The tower is closed to public access, but the rental cabin is open year-round. The cabin is located about 25 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington in the Umatilla National Forest. Access by car is from June 1 to October 31 weather permitting.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The cabin is divided into a kitchen and a bedroom, and is furnished with four extra-long single beds. It is kept warm in the winter by a propane heater, and features propane lights, a cook stove and a refrigerator, as well as some cookware, dishes and utensils. However it is suggested that visitors bring their own dishes, pots, pans and utensils. There is a firepit and picnic table outside. An outhouse is located nearby. The cabin was updated inside and out during the summer of 2023. There is no water on-site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Other things to bring include bedding or sleeping bags, flashlights, dish soap and other basic camping gear. General cleaning is expected before departure.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Pomeroy, take 15th Street south which turns into Peola Rd and follow for 8 miles. The road then turns into Mountain Road, follow for 7.5 miles on pavement to the forest boundary. Continue on Forest Service Road 40 for about 9 miles to Clearwater Junction. The cabin is located to the right at the base of Clearwater Lookout Tower.
| Nearest town | Pomeroy, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.2030° N, 117.5749° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Mop, bucket, broom, and cleaning supplies provided (water is not provided).
- Cleaning service is not always available between guests, please leave the cabin as you would like to find it.
Charges and cancellations
For Reservation Changes & Cancellation Fees, please see Rules & Reservation Policies.
Fire nearby
- WildfireColumbia Center Mutual Aid
13 mi from the campground · 150 acres
- WildfireParadise
24 mi from the campground · 9,656 acres · 86% contained
- PrescribedLojo Starvation 13A Underburn Rx
36 mi from the campground · 110 acres
- PrescribedSumac 2A Rx
36 mi from the campground · 417 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 21.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 30.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Travelland RV ↗ | 31.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The nearest general stores and gas stations are in Pomeroy, a 40-minute drive from the cabin.
- 6.1 miDiamond Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.6 miKelly Camp Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miHunter Spring Trailhead ↗Umatilla National Forest
- 2.6 miTucannon Trailhead ↗Umatilla National Forest · Season May
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness begins about 4.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.6 miWenaha-Tucannon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 176,737 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
Perched at 5,600 feet elevation, Clearwater Lookout Cabin offers panoramic views of the expansive Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, from sunrise to sunset. The rugged landscape of the wilderness stretches across the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. The mountain slopes are carpeted with bunchgrass, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir. An array of wildlife, including Rocky Mountain Elk, bighorn sheep, white-tailed and mule deer, black bears, cougars and coyotes may be spotted.
Recreation
Horseback riding and hiking trails can be accessed from the cabin. During spring and summer, guests can enjoy a short and scenic drive along the Tucannon River to Sunset Point. Mushroom and berry picking may also entertain guests. At night, guests enjoy gazing up at the star-filled sky. Winter brings avid snowmobilers and skiers to explore its groomed trails.
Guidebooks for Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
Sites at Clearwater Lookout Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Clearwater Lookout Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
Horseback riding and hiking trails can be accessed from the cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Clearwater Lookout Cabin?
Pomeroy, Washington. The nearest general stores and gas stations are in Pomeroy, a 40-minute drive from the cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Clearwater Lookout Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Springs Campground (2.5 mi, first-come), Alder Thicket Campground (3.9 mi, first-come), and Ladybug Campground (4.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby