Clearwater Big House

Overview Clearwater Big House gives the feel of a winter chalet hideaway, even during the warmest months of the summer. Hiking, horseback riding and scenic drives abound, delighting guests year after year. The Clearwater Lookout Tower is a mile away. The tower is not open, but the area is nice for scenic views.

An old trapper cabin was located at the current site and was later used as a ranger station. From 1928-29, a ranger built a three-room house and by 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps was tasked with building a barn, warehouse, outhouse and garage.

In winter, the cabin is well-suited for snowmobiling and cross country skiing on groomed snowmobile trails. These modes of over-snow transportation are required for winter access to the cabin. Recreation The cabin provides nearby access to hiking and horseback riding trails that lead to Teal Springs and the lush Tucannon River Drainage. The scenic drive along the Tucannon River Drainage to Sunset Point is also a recommended activity.

In winter, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails are right out your front door.

Facilities The cabin has 868 square feet of living space on the first floor, and another 336 square feet upstairs, and can accommodate up to 10 people. It is fully furnished with 3 queen, 1 full, and 5 twin beds, and a dining table and chairs. Propane heat and lighting are included, and the kitchen is equipped with a propane cook stove and refrigerator. The cabin does not have indoor bathroom facilities. There is an outdoor fire ring and a picnic table. An outhouse is located across the road.

No water is provided. Guests need to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and washing. They should also bring cooking pots and utensils, bedding or sleeping bags, dish soap, matches, a flashlight and all other basic camping items.  

General cleaning is expected before departure. 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.   

Natural Features Set on a gently rolling slope at an elevation of 5,600 feet, the cabin is nestled in a clearing dotted with young Christmas trees. The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness is nearby, stretching 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. Nearby Attractions The nearest general stores and gas stations are in Pomeroy, a 40-minute drive from the cabin. Charges & Cancellations For Changes & Cancellation Fees, please see Rules & Reservation Policies.

From Pomeroy, Washington (35 minutes):  Take 15th Street south for approximately 17 miles until the paved road ends. Continue on Forest Service Road 40 for 7 miles to Clearwater Junction (where the fire lookout is located). Turn left onto Forest Service Road 42 for 0.25 mile, and then turn right into the Clearwater Guard Station area. The rental cabin is the two-story building.

Automobile access to this site runs from approximately mid June through the end of October, depending on weather conditions.  Sometimes automobile access may be earlier or later than anticipated, so when making your reservation be prepared to have an alternate travel method (snow mobile, snow shoes & sled, etc) in case the snow stays longer in the spring, or comes in earlier in the fall.  We will no longer authorize refunds for inaccessibility due to inclement weather conditions. The same route is accessible during winter months by a groomed snowmobile trail (except the 0.25 mile of Forest Service Road 42 and access road into the Guard Station area are not groomed). Parking will be at Rose Spring Sno-Park , and from there, visitors ski, snowshoe or snow mobile approximately 5.5 miles to the cabin. A Washington State Sno-Park Permit is required to park at the Sno-Park.