Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

American Ridge Lodge - Washington

Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests

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.

Description

The rustic and spacious 43’ x 48’ 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.

Area Attractions & Activities

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.

Amenities

• Twenty-seater Outhouse
• Picnic Tables
• Wood Stove
• Outhouse

There is additional space for tent camping, and a parking area for up to 15 vehicles.

Pets

Pets are welcome.

Smoking

No smoking inside the lodge. Smoking is allowed outside in safe places only.

Directions

From Naches, travel west on Highway 410 roughly 40 miles to Bumping Lake Road. Turn left and travel approximately ¼ mile to Forest Service Road (FSR) 381, the access road for the lodge. Turn right on FSR 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.