Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Rental Cabins

Harvey West | Loon Chalet | Robbs Hut | Van Vleck Bunkhouse | Sly Guard

Van Vleck Bunkhouse

Sitting on the edge of a beautiful 40-acre meadow, Van Vleck Bunkhouse offers a spectacular view of the Tells Peak portion of the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• Location, Permit, and Key »
• Map and Information (pdf)

Specifics

Number of People: 1 to 6.
Fee: $75.00 per night.
Utilities: Propane lights and gas log stove. No garbage service.
Water: Hot and cold water, flush toilet and a shower in summer only.
Season: Year-round. Reservations may be made 4-180 days in advance of first nights stay. Primary winter access is for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowshoers.
Other: Pets are not allowed in the building and are best left at home.

Background: Built in 1957, the bunkhouse is the last remnant of the Van Vleck Ranch site, which was operated as a cattle ranch from the 1860s to the 1960s. Since acquiring the facility in 1997, the Forest Service has renovated the Bunkhouse to make it available to the public.

Activities: Popular summer activities include: mountain biking, hiking, backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, stream fishing, horseback riding, and birdwatching. The Bunkhouse is available for rental during the winter. Recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowshoers. The Van Vleck area is non-motorized beyond the cabin to the east.

Interior:

The Bunkhouse has two rooms and a bathroom . The main living area includes a kitchen, table with chairs, a gas log stove, a sleeper sofa, and a bunk bed. The bedroom has another bunk bed and a queen size bed. The bathroom has a flush toilet, a shower, and a sink. There is no electricity. The lights, heater, and cook stove operate on propane.

The kitchen has a double sink, a counter, propane stove and oven, and a basic assortment of pots, pans, and utensils (if you are not sure bring your own). Cleaning equipment is provided.

Note: During the winter, water is available for the flush toilet and and bathroom sink only. No hot water. When you arrive you will have to turn on the water system, and turn it off when you leave. Directions are adjacent to the handles on the floor below the bathroom sink and will come attached to the rental permit. The winter vault toilet is available outside the back door.

Exterior:

The front deck overlooks the meadow with a view of the Crystal Range. A campfire area is available near the bunkhouse. The Bunkhouse parking area can accommadate 6 vehicles.

Other Information

Be prepared in case of emergencies and notify family or friends of your trip and when you expect to return.

Cell phone communication from the Bunkhouse is marginal. The nearest phone to Van Vleck Bunkhouse is the outdoor pay phone at the Crystal Basin Information Station on Ice House Road, 17 miles southwest of the Bunkhouse. This station is open only in the summer.