Facility Details - BUTLER BUTTE CABIN, OR

Overview

Butler Butte Cabin sits at an elevation of 5,500 feet in an open grassy understory hemmed in by old-growth forests and sub-alpine meadows. In spring, meadows welcome a pallet of lush green grass and wildflowers, and in fall, vivid colors mark the changing of seasons. The forest showcases a variety of old-growth pine, fir and cedar.

Located in the Tiller Ranger District in southwestern Oregon, the cabin offers relaxation and recreation for visitors throughout the year. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel to this site, and guests must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features:

Built in 1942 as an Aircraft Warning System (AWS) Station, this site served as a strategic location to watch for invading Japanese planes and balloons loaded with incendiary devices meant to set American west coast forests ablaze. Observers staffed this mountaintop station, watching for signs of invasion or fire. A 20-foot lookout tower, built in 1932 for fire observation, was used for lookout purposes by AWS from early 1942. After the threat of invasion subsided the lookout and cabin were used solely for fire observation. The lookout was burned prior to 1958, as it was no longer used.

Large mammals such as elk, deer, black bear, and cougar, as well as the smaller residents, squirrels, fox, raccoons and bats are supported by the diverse forest habitat in the area. Learn more about bear safety.

Recreation:

In addition to hiking, birding and picking huckleberries in summer and early fall, visitors can take advantage of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the winter months.

Guests might also enjoy a day of scenic driving along the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway, located within driving distance of the cabin. Landscapes unfold along the highway, showcasing everything from rolling oak-covered hills and towering coniferous forests to roaring white water rapids and incised intercanyon lava flows.

Learn more about the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway.

Facilities:

The one-room cabin is equipped with a double bed and two single beds with mattresses. Amenities inside the cabin include a heater, lights, a cooking stove with an oven and a refrigerator, all powered by propane, which is provided. Outdoors, a picnic table, campfire ring, grill and vault toilet are provided. An area for pitching a tent is also on-site.

Guests must bring several of their own amenities. The cabin does not have food, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, toilet paper or garbage bags. Wood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed.

There is no water available at the site. Guests must bring water necessary for drinking, cooking and washing. Potable water is available at a spigot in front of the Tiller Ranger Station office.

Although electricity is available, bringing an additional light source is recommended.

Nearby Attractions:

Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park for a glimpse into the area's fascinating geological and cultural history.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Berry Picking Biking Birding Campfire Ring Cleaning Equipment Cooking Area Grills Hiking Historic Sites	Mattresses Parking Area Propane Heat Propane Refrigerator Propane Stove Table and Chairs Vault Toilet Wildlife Viewing

Know Before You Go

Keep the building and grounds clean to deter squirrel, mice, rats, bears and other wildlife from area
Please do not let pets roam freely, as they may endanger wildlife and plants
Pack out all trash; trash bags can be dumped at the transfer site on County Road 46 at milepost 4.5 or at a dumpster available at the Ranger Station
The transfer site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, and a confirmation letter required to dump at this site
Doors and windows should be locked and all personal items removed upon departure
The cabin is a no-smoking facility
Learn more about Umpqua National Forest Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect our forests by purchasing or collecting firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Click here for more information.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
42.88778, -122.67944
42°53'16"N, 122°40'46"W

Butler Butte Cabin is at 5,500 feet elevation and receives snow. The roads to the cabin are not plowed, nor are they maintained for passenger cars. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Guests may have to snowshoe, cross country ski or snowmobile up to 5 miles to reach the cabin.

Please contact the Ranger District at 541-825-3100 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. Click here for current local weather conditions.

Entry to the cabin is by combination number, provided in confirmation letter. The combination lock on the door has five black vertical buttons. The top button is number one and the bottom button is number five. Please call the Tiller Ranger District at least four days prior to your arrival at the cabin to confirm the combination.

From Tiller Ranger District office, take County Road 46 for 5 miles to Jackson Creek Road 29. Follow Road 29 for 9.7 miles to the junction with Road 2925. Follow Road 2925 for 6.5 miles to the five-way junction of Roads 2925, 600, 700, and 800. From here there is a choice of two routes.

For the first route, follow Road 800 for 2.5 miles to the junction with Road 810 and then follow the road to the cabin. This is the shortest and most direct route, however, be aware that the 800 Road is an old logging road with water bars cut into it and may not be the best choice for passenger cars.

For the other route, follow the 700 Road approximately 6 miles to the junction with the 800 Road at Tucker Gap. The 700 and 800 Roads form a big loop and this is where they rejoin. At this point make a sharp switchback turn to the right, onto the 800 Road. Follow the 800 Road for 2 miles to the junction with the 810 Road and then follow the 810 Road to the cabin.