Ludlum House
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The Ludlum House is situated at the base of a mixed-conifer forest at the confluence of Wheeler Creek and the Winchuck River in southwestern Oregon, offering guests a unique setting for recreation and relaxation.
The house was rebuilt in 1999 as a near-replica of the original two-story Ludlum family vacation house. Mr. Ludlum, an oil-company executive, constructed the house in 1939, then sold the property to the Forest Service following World War II.
The accessible home offers some of the amenities needed for a comfortable lodging experience, although guests will need to bring several of their own supplies to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
Ludlum House is two stories and features one room on a lower floor, and a three-quarter dividing wall upstairs. The first floor, porch and surrounding grounds are all accessible. Picnic tables and a campfire ring are located near the cabin, as well as an accessible vault toilet. While the house and grounds can accommodate up to 60 guests maximum, there are no beds. The house is minimally furnished with a table and chairs, a sink and food preparation counter and a wood stove. There is no firewood available at this site, visitors must bring their own. Guests must also provide their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a light source (battery powered lights are preferred), towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Water is available on site from a hand pump. Solar lighting is available, though it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source (battery operated lights). The use of candles is prohibited. Tent space and room for trailer parking is available near the cabin.
Need to Know
Maximum occupancy for the house is 30; 60 total for the house and surrounding grounds. No exceptions. The reservation fee includes a maximum of 10 people. Upon arrival, an additional fee of $5 per person will be collected at the district office or can be deposited in the feed tube at the Ludlum Campground site.
Entry to the cabin is by combination lock. The combination will be included in your confirmation letter. Please call the Gold Beach Ranger District office at (541)247-3600 four days prior to your arrival to confirm your combination. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on weekends and holidays.
Please contact the Ranger District at (541)247-3600 prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit.
- Pets are welcome at this facility but must be leashed
- All garbage and food must be packed out
- The cabin is a no-smoking facility
- Learn more about Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Natural Features
The Ludlum House is somewhat secluded and surrounded by a towering old-growth forest, with an expanse of lawn stretching out before it. Within an 1.5 hour drive from the house, guests have access to the rugged southern Oregon and northern California coasts and further south, the Redwood National Park.
The nearby Winchuck River flows into the Pacific Ocean about 0.5 miles north of the Oregon and California border and approximately 5 miles south of Brookings, Oregon. Five major tributaries, Wheeler Creek, East Fork, Fourth of July Creek, Bear Creek and South Fork, make up the Winchuck River system. Mt. Emily, at 2,926 feet, is the highest point in the basin.
Diverse landscapes provide habitat for a wide-range of wildlife, including black-tailed deer and an occasional black bear, to squirrels and salmon. Sensitive wildlife species such as Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet are present in the watershed as well. These species, along with many others, depend on the surrounding undeveloped wilderness, undisturbed wetlands, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Recreation
Hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing top the list of recreational opportunities in the area surrounding the Ludlum House.
Just steps away from the banks of the Winchuck River, the cabin provides fantastic fishing opportunities for Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout and steelhead trout. The river is closed to fishing above the Wheeler Creek confluence to provide a refuge for wild fish, but anglers will some excellent steelhead waters below this point, including several miles on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Standard winter steelhead tactics such as drift fishing, floating jigs, or swinging flies work well on this gravel and cobble-bottomed river. Flies such as spruce flies or bucktail streamers work well for sea-run cutthroat.
The Oregon Redwoods Trail provides a unique accessible hiking opportunity through a grove of majestic old-growth redwood trees. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about old-growth tree ecology, fire history, wildlife, and botany in the area along Peavine Ridge in the Winchuck River drainage.
Redwood trees in this area represent the only coastal redwoods found in the Pacific Northwest Region, located at the limit of their northern range. The trail is an out/back design with a short loop at the far end, where a picnic stop is provided. A short wooden deck provides access to the inside of a hollowed redwood tree.
Contact Information
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29279 Ellensburg Avenue Gold Beach OR 97415
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 541-247-3600
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Portland OR, follow 1-5S to US 199S to Brookings. From Brookings, travel south on U.S. Highway 101 for 5 miles to the junction of Winchuck River Road (County Road 896). Proceed up Winchuck River Road for about 7 miles to Forest Service Road 1107. Follow Forest Service Road 1107 approximately 2 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 1108. Follow Forest Service Road 1108 for about 2 miles to the Ludlum Recreation Area. Turn right into the Ludlum Campground and travel the road within the campground to the house.
