American Ridge Lodge

Area Status: Open

Tucked in the foothills of the eastern Cascades, the American Ridge Lodge sits just outside the boundary of the William O. Douglas Wilderness. The rustic and spacious 43-foot x 48-foot lodge, although largely unfurnished, is equipped with a kitchen area, counter space and benches, several closets and cabinets, and a wood stove. There is an outdoor fire ring and picnic tables, as well as plenty of room on the grounds for dispersed camping, making it an ideal location for groups. Visitors must supply their own wood for the wood stove and fire ring. The lodge does not have electricity, so bring lanterns.

There is no water on site. Pitcher pump water is available during the summer months from the Cedar Springs Campground located approximately 1.5 miles from the site. In the fall, winter and spring, visitors must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and washing.

***Winter skiing, sledding, tubing or other winter recreation use available only by reservation.***

***TARGET SHOOTING NOT ALLOWED WITHIN 150 YARDS OF AMERICAN RIDGE LODGE OR ANY BUILDING, CAMPSITE, DEVELOPED RECREATION SITE, OR OCCUPIED AREA***

Availability: American Ridge Lodge is available year round by reservation only.
Price and Capacity: $100 per night, and $150 per night on holidays, with a maximum of sixty occupants. The minimum length stay is one night for non-holiday weekdays, two nights for a weekend, and three nights for a holiday weekend. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.
Reservations: The maximum length stay is 14 consecutive nights. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov

History

In the 1930s, the Yakima Valley Ski Club worked with the US Forest Service to plan construction of the American River Ski Bowl, one of the first downhill ski areas in Washington State. From 1933 through 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a ranger station with workshops, storage buildings and employee houses, a guard station on American River, a back country trail shelter at Swamp Lake, four lookouts, ten public campgrounds, eight bridges, sixty miles of road, and the American Ridge Ski Bowl. By the late 1950s, the White Pass Ski area was built, offering deeper snow, a longer ski season and steeper slopes. American Ridge Ski Bowl couldn’t compete and lay vacant for years. The remaining day lodge and unique twenty-seater outhouse were carefully restored and have been available to the public for rent since 1984.

Title:	American Ridge Lodge01
Date:
Location:	Washington
Credit:	USDA Forest Service
Description:	Outside view of Lodge.
Source:	Pacific Northwest Region

Title:	American Ridge Lodge02
Date:
Location:	Washington
Credit:	USDA Forest Service
Description:	Inside the Lodge.
Source:	Pacific Northwest Region

Title:	American Ridge Lodge03
Date:
Location:	Washington
Credit:	USDA Forest Service
Description:	Wood burning stove.
Source:	Pacific Northwest Region

Title:	American Ridge Lodge04
Date:
Location:	Washington
Credit:	USDA Forest Service
Description:	Inside the Lodge.
Source:	Pacific Northwest Region

Title:	American Ridge Lodge05
Date:
Location:	Washington
Credit:	USDA Forest Service
Description:	Kids at the Lodge.
Source:	Pacific Northwest Region

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	By Reservation Only
Reservations:	Reservations required. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov
Restrictions:	Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.
Closest Towns:	Naches, WA
Restroom:	Outhouse
Information Center:	Naches Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

Located off Highway 410 near milepost 88. From Naches, WA travel west on Highway 12 for 4.4 miles. Continue straight onto Highway 410 W for 27.5 miles. Turn left onto Bumping River Rd / Forest Road 1800. Turn left and travel approximately ¼ mile to Forest Road 381, the access road for the lodge. Turn right on Road 381 and follow it approximately ¾ of a mile to the end. During winter months, visitors may park in the plowed pullout on Bumping Lake Road and either walk or snowmobile just under a mile to the lodge.

General Notes:

No smoking inside the lodge. Smoking is allowed outside in safe places only.
Pets are welcome
There is additional space for tent camping
Parking area for up to 15 vehicles
Limit 14 nights consecutive stay

Amenities

Twenty-seater Outhouse
Picnic Tables
Wood Stove

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Cabin Rentals

The lodge is located next to the William O. Douglas Wilderness, 166,00 acres of beautiful peaks, sharp ridges, steep slopes and hundreds of small lakes and pools, with approximately 25 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail winding along the Cascade crest. The area offers many opportunities for fishing (brook trout, bull trout, salmon rainbow and cut throat), wildlife viewing, birding, and hiking. Winter play activities include snowmobiling (but not within the Wilderness area), back country cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and sledding.

Day Hiking

The lodge is located next to the William O. Douglas Wilderness, 166,00 acres of beautiful peaks, sharp ridges, steep slopes and hundreds of small lakes and pools, with approximately 25 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winding along the Cascade crest.