Tucannon Guard Station
The historic Tucannon Guard Station is a charming saltbox-style cabin constructed in 1909. It was inhabited by the first ranger in the Tucannon area, William Kendell, and his family. By 1916, the guard house became headquarters for the district for two years, and then continued on as a standard guard station. Staying here is like stepping back in time. The rooms inside are nicely decorated and cozy. Touches like curtains on the windows and modern furniture add to the destination experience. Beyond the cabin is plenty of photogenic scenery, plus options for prime fishing and hiking.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucannon Guard Station | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 3 | 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 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Tucannon is a two-story wood frame structure with wood siding and a shake shingle roof. The upstairs is divided into two sleeping areas, one furnished with two single beds and the other with a queen bed. The ground floor has spare room with a single bed and a living room furnished with a futon that sleeps two. The downstairs bathroom is equipped with a flush toilet and shower/tub with hot water. Electricity and propane are included for heating and cooking. The kitchen and dining area boast a cook stove, microwave, and refrigerator, plus a table and chairs. The cabin has potable running water year-round. A picnic table beneath the trees & firepit sit outside. Most cleaning supplies, dishes, pots, pans, and utensils are provided, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own. Guests should also bring bedding or sleeping bags, and basic camping gear like flashlights, dish soap and matches. General cleaning is expected before departure. Mop, bucket, broom, and cleaning supplies provided. The Tucannon Guard Station is located near the Lower Tucannon Campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May to November |
| Forest | Umatilla National Forest |
| Booking | First come first serve. |
| Fees | Each year, from March 1st through October 31st, an overnight camping fee of $8.00 will be charged. An extra $5 per each vehicle exceeding the 2-vehicle-per-site limit is available. From November 1st through February there is no fee charged. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Pomeroy, take Highway 12 west for about 4 miles. Turn left on Tatman Mt. Road and continue (road changes to Linville Gulch after a couple of miles) for about 6.5 miles (sharp right turn at top of hill) where pavement ends at Blind Grade. Continue on gravel road (Blind Grade) with hairpin turns to stop sign.
| Nearest town | Pomeroy, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.2504° N, 117.6783° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Cleaning service is not always available between guests, please leave the cabin as you would like to find it.
Charges and cancellations
For Changes & Cancellation Fees, please see Rules & Reservation Policies.
Fire nearby
- WildfireColumbia Center Mutual Aid
11 mi from the campground · 150 acres
- WildfireParadise
22 mi from the campground · 9,656 acres · 86% contained
- PrescribedLojo Starvation 13A Underburn Rx
41 mi from the campground · 110 acres
- PrescribedSumac 2A Rx
41 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 ↗ | 27.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 33.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Travelland RV ↗ | 34.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
A convenience store, gas station and RV park is located about 9 miles, or 15 minutes, north of the cabin. River access and opportunities for hunting and mushroom picking are also within 10 miles of the cabin.
- 11.3 miDiamond Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.6 miGodman Campground/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness begins about 6.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.2 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
On the National Register nearby
- Mancel Kelley HouseBuilding · Dayton · 14.2 mi
- Dexter House No. 1Building · Dayton · 14.8 mi
- J. A. Thronson HouseBuilding · Dayton · 14.8 mi
Natural features
The cabin is at 2600 ft elevation on a shady, gently rolling site at the base of a hillside in Tucannon Valley. The rugged landscape stretches across the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Visitors may spot local inhabitants like wild turkey, pheasant, deer, elk and even an occasional moose in the area.
Recreation
Just a few miles south are trailheads to wilderness hiking trails. Plus the road along the Tucannon River is a notable scenic drive, ideal for viewing flora and fauna.
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tucannon Guard Station?
Sites at Tucannon Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. First come first serve. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Tucannon Guard Station?
Each year, from March 1st through October 31st, an overnight camping fee of $8.00 will be charged. An extra $5 per each vehicle exceeding the 2-vehicle-per-site limit is available. From November 1st through February there is no fee charged.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tucannon Guard Station?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Tucannon Guard Station open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tucannon Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Tucannon Guard Station?
The downstairs bathroom is equipped with a flush toilet and shower/tub with hot water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Tucannon Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tucannon Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tucannon Guard Station?
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 Tucannon Guard Station?
Just a few miles south are trailheads to wilderness hiking trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Tucannon Guard Station?
Pomeroy, Washington. A convenience store, gas station and RV park is located about 9 miles, or 15 minutes, north of the cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Tucannon Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Panjab Campground (3.5 mi, first-come), Ladybug Campground (3.7 mi, first-come), and Alder Thicket Campground (5.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby