Welch Creek Campground has long been a favorite gathering spot for family
reunion camp-outs and group hunting trips. The campground's open area and easy
parking access make it ideal for such events. It features 6 campsties an
accessible vault toilet, and 4 stall recreational stock corral.  There is no
potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.

Local attractions include hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-
seeing, photography and a trailhead for the Desolation OHV trail system.
Olive Lake, where there is fishing, boating, and swimming is about 13 miles to
the east along Forest Road 10.

<p>Welch Creek Campground has long been a favorite gathering spot for family reunion camp-outs and group hunting trips. The campground&#39;s open area and easy parking access make it ideal for such events.&nbsp;It features&nbsp;6 campsties an accessible&nbsp;vault toilet, and 4 stall recreational stock corral.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;your garbage home.&nbsp;</p><p>Local attractions include hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-seeing, photography and a trailhead for the Desolation OHV trail system.&nbsp; Olive Lake,&nbsp;where there is fishing, boating, and swimming is about 13 miles to the east along Forest Road 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

* **Single site:  ** $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance). 
  * **Group site:  ** Site 6 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge).

Bird's eye view of the campground

Welch Creek Campground & Trailhead

This fairly secluded campground is near the end of Forest Road 5506 along the
**Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River**.  It features 8 campsites and 2
accessible toilets.  There is no potable water or garbage service, so please
pack your garbage home.  

Large vehicles, trailers, and low clearance vehicles are not recommended due
to poor access road and limited turnaround capability.

This campground offers fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating, hiking, OHV
riding, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography.  Water levels are low
in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats.  The campground also
provides good access for big game hunting.  Near Oriental Creek is the start
of the **River Trail #3043** , an OHV trail accessing the southern end of 100
miles of trail.  Three miles down the closed portion of Road 5506 is entry to
the **North Fork John Day Wilderness** with access to the **North Fork John
Day River Trail #3022** , **Big Creek Trail #3151** and **Corral Creek Trail
#3009**.

**March 23, 2021** :  Inaccessible by vehicle at this time do to snow.
Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers that can may utilize the area.

<p>This fairly secluded campground is near the end of Forest Road 5506 along the <strong>Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;It features&nbsp;8 campsites and&nbsp;2 accessible&nbsp;toilets. &nbsp;There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;your garbage home. &nbsp;</p><p>Large vehicles, trailers, and low clearance vehicles are not recommended due to poor access road and limited turnaround capability.&nbsp;</p><p>This campground offers fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating, hiking, OHV riding, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography.&nbsp;&nbsp;Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats.&nbsp; The campground also provides good access for big game hunting. &nbsp;Near Oriental Creek is the start of the <strong>River Trail #3043</strong>, an OHV trail accessing the southern end of 100 miles of trail.&nbsp; Three miles down the closed portion of&nbsp;Road 5506 is entry to the <strong>North Fork John Day Wilderness </strong>with access to the <strong>North Fork John Day River Trail #3022</strong>, <strong>Big Creek Trail #3151</strong> and <strong>Corral Creek Trail #3009</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>March 23, 2021</strong>:&nbsp; Inaccessible by vehicle at this time do to snow.&nbsp; Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers that can may utilize the area.</p>

* **Single site:**   $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.)
  * **Group site:** Site 8 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge).

Oriental Campground

This is a peaceful campground set in an open Ponderosa pine stand along the
Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River.  Gold Dredge features 7 campsties
and 1 accessible vault toilet.  There is no potable water or garbage service,
so please pack your garbage home.

Attractions in this area include photography, swimming, non-motorized boating,
and fishing.  Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use
of boats.  The campground provides good access for big game hunting. In
addition, the Oriental Trailhead is about 6 miles west, providing access to
both OHV and wilderness trails.

<p>This is a&nbsp;peaceful campground set in an open Ponderosa&nbsp;pine stand&nbsp;along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gold Dredge&nbsp;features&nbsp;7 campsties and&nbsp;1 accessible&nbsp;vault toilet.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;your garbage home.&nbsp;</p><p>Attractions in this area include photography, swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing.&nbsp; Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats.&nbsp; The campground provides&nbsp;good access for big game&nbsp;hunting. In addition, the Oriental Trailhead is about 6 miles west, providing access to both OHV and wilderness trails.&nbsp;</p>

* **Single site:**  $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.)  
  * **Group site:** Site 6 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge)

Gold Dredge Campground

This lovely campground is situated on the banks of the Wild and Scenic North
Fork John Day River.  Driftwood features 6 campsties and 1 accessible toilet.
There is a put-in site for rafting.  There is no potable water or garbage
service, so please pack your garbage home.

Attractions in this area include swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing.
Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats. The
campground provides good access for big game hunting.  In addition, the
Oriental Trailhead is about 8 miles west, providing access to both OHV and
wilderness trails.

<p>This&nbsp;lovely campground is situated on the banks of&nbsp;the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River.&nbsp; Driftwood features&nbsp;6 campsties and&nbsp;1 accessible&nbsp;toilet.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a put-in site for rafting.&nbsp; There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;your garbage home.&nbsp;</p><p>Attractions in this area include swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing.&nbsp; Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats. The campground provides good access for big game hunting.&nbsp; In addition, the Oriental Trailhead is about 8 miles west, providing access to both OHV and wilderness trails.</p>

* **Single site:**  $8/night (extra $5 per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.)

Driftwood Campground

## Overview

Nestled on the edge of a lake, high in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon,
this popular campground is only 8 miles west of the historic Fremont
Powerhouse and 12 miles west of the old mining town of Granite. The campground
features 28 campsites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features
include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness
and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks.

Besides beautiful scenery, the lake offers many opportunities for wildlife
viewing--particularly a nesting pair of osprey that return annually.
Activities in this area include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, hunting,
and photography. Within 20 miles are several historic sites.

## Recreation

A 2-mile hiking trail encircles the lake, providing access to more secluded
spots where solitude can be enjoyed. Bicyclists can also enjoy the trail
although there are a couple of spots bikes might need to be walked, depending
on skill level. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook
trout, and kokanee and crawfish boils are a popular dinner option. There are 2
boat docks adjacent to the campground, as well as a boat ramp and trailer
parking. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but wakes and jet skis are
not allowed. There are opportunities for viewing wildlife such as deer, elk,
bear, river otters, and osprey. Mushroom and berry picking are available in
season. Other nearby trails access the North John Day Wilderness Area and
Vinegar Hill Scenic Area. An interpretive sign about the beetle infestation is
located in a few spots within the campground.

## Facilities

The campground features 20 tent/RV campsites, 2 group sites, 6 tent only sites
and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking
trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails,
a boat ramp and 2 docks, and an interpretive sign. There is no potable water.
Potable water can be obtained from Fremont Powerhouse, 7 miles east of the
campground from May 15-Sept 30.

## Nearby Attractions

The area around Olive Lake is rich in history. The dam and gates on the north
side of the lake were constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support
gold mining activities within the northern Blue Mountain Region. Historically,
water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline to the Fremont
Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns in
the area. Fremont Powerhouse is located approximately 7 miles east and the
historic moning town of Granite is 12 miles east of Olive Lake along Forest
Road 73.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Nestled on the edge of a lake, high in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, this popular campground is only 8 miles west of the historic Fremont Powerhouse and 12 miles west of the old mining town of Granite.  The campground features 28 campsites and 7 accessible toilet facilities.  Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks.   </p>
<p>Besides beautiful scenery, the lake offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing--particularly a nesting pair of osprey that return annually.  Activities in this area include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, hunting, and photography.  Within 20 miles are several historic sites.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>A 2-mile hiking trail encircles the lake, providing access to more secluded spots where solitude can be enjoyed. Bicyclists can also enjoy the trail although there are a couple of spots bikes might need to be walked, depending on skill level. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and kokanee and crawfish boils are a popular dinner option. There are 2 boat docks adjacent to the campground, as well as a boat ramp and trailer parking. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but wakes and jet skis are not allowed. There are opportunities for viewing wildlife such as deer, elk, bear, river otters, and osprey.  Mushroom and berry picking are available in season.  Other nearby trails access the North John Day Wilderness Area and Vinegar Hill Scenic Area. An interpretive sign about the beetle infestation is located in a few spots within the campground.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The campground features 20 tent/RV campsites, 2  group sites, 6 tent only sites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks, and an interpretive sign. There is no potable water.  Potable water can be obtained from Fremont Powerhouse, 7 miles east of the campground from May 15-Sept 30.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The area around Olive Lake is rich in history. The dam and gates on the north side of the lake were constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities within the northern Blue Mountain Region. Historically, water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns in the area. Fremont Powerhouse is located approximately 7 miles east and the historic moning town of Granite is 12 miles east of Olive Lake along Forest Road 73. </p>

Olive Lake with water, boat dock and ramp, and conifers with fall color in the background.

cement block stairs leading to day use site with picnic table

Bench in shade beside lake with trees in the background

Campground entrance sign

lake water with dense conifers along the shore

Olive Lake Campground lower day-use picnic table

day use picnic table

Olive Lake's newest toilet, located near dam.

brown vault toilet beside gravel road with white SUV next to pine trees

double vault toilet

wooden dock stretching into the water with golden fall colors on the distant trees

Dirt trail among trees

Olive Lake Campground Information and fees

2 information boards with a metal fee vault between and conifers in the background

Dirt trail among trees and dense undergrowth

Olive Lake Campground (OR)

This is a small campground just off Highway 395 along the confluence of
Desolation Creek and the North Fork John Day River.  Tollbridge features 5
campsties and an accessible toilet.  There is also a sign interpreting the
geology of the area.  There is no potable water or garbage service, so please
pack your garbage home.  Local attractions include hunting, fishing, swimming,
non-motorized boating, and photography.

<p>This is a small campground just off Highway 395 along the confluence of Desolation Creek and the North Fork John Day River.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tollbridge features&nbsp;5 campsties and&nbsp;an accessible&nbsp;toilet.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is also a sign interpreting the geology of the area.&nbsp; There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;your garbage home.&nbsp; Local attractions include hunting, fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating, and photography.</p>

* **Single site:  ** $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.)

Tollbridge Campground

This campground is located along the paved **Blue Mountain Scenic Byway**
southeast of Ukiah, OR. There are 10 campsites (3 of which are group sites)
and 2 accessible toilets.  Sites 3 and 4 have log picnic shelters.  There is
an interpretive sign near the information board and OHV loading dock.  There
is no water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.

  * 2018 Winom-Frazier OHV Complex and Desolation OHV Trail System Map  \- June 3, 2019 (pdf file - 466kb)

**Trail access** : The **Tower Loop Trail #3040** connects with the campground
providing access to the southern end of the **Winom-Frazier OHV Complex** with
over 100 miles of trail to enjoy. Nearby is the North Fork John Day Wilderness
which is accessed via the North Winom Creek Trail #3160 and South Winom Creek
Trail #3153 which are located across Winom Creek off Forest Service Road
52-440 just beyond the campground.

Available activities nearby also include hunting, sight-seeing, mushroom
picking, huckleberry picking, photography and the **Ukiah-Granite Roadside
Geology tour**.

For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest
National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

<p>This campground is located along the paved&nbsp;<strong>Blue Mountain Scenic Byway </strong>southeast of Ukiah, OR.&nbsp;There are 10 campsites (3 of which are group sites) and 2 accessible toilets.&nbsp; Sites 3 and 4 have log picnic shelters.&nbsp; There is an interpretive sign near the information board and OHV loading dock.&nbsp; There is no water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd636742.pdf">2018 Winom-Frazier OHV Complex and Desolation OHV Trail System Map </a>&nbsp;- June&nbsp;3, 2019&nbsp;(pdf file - 466kb)</li></ul><p><strong>Trail access</strong>: The <strong>Tower Loop Trail #3040 </strong>connects with the&nbsp;campground providing&nbsp;access to&nbsp;the southern end of the <strong>Winom-Frazier OHV Complex </strong>with over 100 miles of trail to enjoy. Nearby is the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56915">North Fork John Day Wilderness</a> which is accessed via the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56603">North Winom Creek Trail #3160</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56647">South Winom Creek Trail #3153</a>&nbsp;which are located across Winom Creek off Forest Service Road&nbsp;52-440 just beyond the campground.</p><p>Available&nbsp;activities nearby also include hunting, sight-seeing, mushroom picking, huckleberry picking, photography and the <strong>Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology tour</strong>.</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="322" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y8nLdb9cvUo?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p><p>For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation</p>

* **Day-Use:** No fee.
  * **Single site:** $10/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance).
  * **Group sites:** Sites 3, 4, and 10 are available for $25/night (no extra vehicle charge).

Winom Campground & Trailhead

Big Creek Campground is small and increasingly popular with OHV
recreationists, located just off the **Blue Mountain Scenic Byway**.  It also
provides access into the **North Fork John Day Wilderness** and there is ample
parking for truck and stock trailers at the trailhead. It is set in a riparian
area, so surrounding areas can be quite wet well into June.  It features 3
campsites and an accessible vault toilet.  There is no potable water or
garbage service, so please**** pack out all garbage and dispose of it at home.

**Trail access:**

  * This campground contains a trailhead into the North Fork John Day Wilderness that accesses Big Creek Trail #3151 to the south. There is nearby access to Tower Mountain Trail #3156 to the north of Forest Road 52 that also accesses the North Fork John Day Wilderness where Wilderness regulations apply.
  * There are three OHV trails that connect into the campground: Tower Loop Trail #3040, Meadow Creek Trail #3193, and Christensen Trail #3185.

Attractions at this campground are wilderness hiking, hunting, fishing, and
OHV trail access. If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite
Roadside Geology tour brochure at the Ranger District and take a day trip to
Granite.  Huckleberries abound nearby in mid August.

<p>Big Creek Campground is small and increasingly popular with OHV recreationists, located just off the <strong>Blue Mountain Scenic Byway</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;It also provides access into the <strong>North Fork John Day Wilderness </strong>and there is ample parking for truck and stock trailers at the trailhead. It is set in a riparian area, so surrounding areas can be quite wet well into June.&nbsp; It features&nbsp;3 campsites and&nbsp;an accessible&nbsp;vault toilet.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no potable water or garbage service, so please<strong> </strong>pack out all garbage and dispose of it at home.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Trail access:</strong></p><ul><li>This campground contains a trailhead into the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56915">North Fork John Day Wilderness</a>&nbsp;that accesses&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56477">Big Creek Trail #3151</a>&nbsp;to the south. There is nearby access to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56659">Tower Mountain Trail #3156</a>&nbsp;to the north of Forest Road 52 that also accesses the North Fork John Day Wilderness where&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5428929">Wilderness regulations apply</a>.</li><li>There are three OHV trails that connect into the campground:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56657">Tower Loop Trail #3040</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56785">Meadow Creek Trail #3193</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56493">Christensen Trail #3185</a>.</li></ul><p>Attractions at this campground are wilderness hiking, hunting, fishing,&nbsp;and OHV trail access. If you like to drive, you can pick up the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_016069.pdf">Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology tour brochure</a> at the Ranger District and take a day trip to Granite.&nbsp; Huckleberries abound nearby in mid August.</p>

Big Creek Meadows Campground

Drift Fence Campground is situated along the paved **Blue Mountain Scenic
Byway** and is traditionally a hunting camp.  This is a small, rustic site and
the short access road is in poor condiiton.  The campground features 6
campsties and 2 vault toilets.  There is no potable water or garbage service,
so please pack all garbage out and dispose of it at home.  The surrounding
area offers hunting, wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities, and
photography. Fishing is available at several nearby stocked ponds including
Twin Ponds where the annual Fishing Derby is held.  If you like to drive, you
can pick up the **Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology tour** brochure at the Ranger
District and take a day trip to Granite.  The **Bridge Creek Wildlife Viewing
Area**(elk) is just a few miles down the road.

<p>Drift Fence Campground is situated along the paved <strong>Blue Mountain Scenic Byway</strong> and is&nbsp;traditionally a&nbsp;hunting camp.&nbsp; This is a small, rustic site and the short access road&nbsp;is in poor condiiton.&nbsp;&nbsp;The campground&nbsp;features&nbsp;6 campsties and&nbsp;2 vault toilets.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no potable water or garbage service, so&nbsp;please&nbsp;pack&nbsp;all garbage out and dispose of it at home.&nbsp;&nbsp;The surrounding area&nbsp;offers hunting, wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities,&nbsp;and photography. Fishing is available at several nearby stocked ponds including Twin Ponds where the annual Fishing Derby is held.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you like to drive, you can pick up the <strong>Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology tour </strong>brochure at the Ranger District and take a day trip to Granite.&nbsp;&nbsp;The <strong>Bridge Creek Wildlife Viewing Area </strong>(elk) is just a few miles down the road.</p>

Drift Fence Campground

Hilltop Hideaway is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. The cozy
little cabin features: one bedroom with dressers and a queen-over-queen
bunkbed; a parlor with chair, couch and tables; a kitchen with refrigerator,
electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes and a
dining table with chairs; and a full bath with hot water, tub/shower and flush
toilet during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and an oil
heating stove. There is a briquette grill and picnic table out the back.
Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the
house before they leave.

While there is water available June through September, there is no water or
indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring
plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near
the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for
tent camping.

**Nearby Recreation Rentals:** This area includes three other cabins, all
within a couple hundred feet of each other: Caretaker's Cabin, Congo Gulch,
and Miner's Retreat. This provides great flexibility for larger groups like
family reunions or weddings.

  * **Do call theNorth Fork John Day Ranger District three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access. **Our office is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541) 427-3231. 
  * **Availability** : Hilltop Hideaway is available for rent year-round.

## History

In the 180s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and
silver mining.  Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings
and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate
the mines more economically.  As a result, the **Fremont Powerhouse** was
constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive
Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and
steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power.
Houses were constructed in the 19302 to shelter workers who monitored the
pipeline for breaks and kept the powerhouse operating. After 59 years of
continuous service, generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In
1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to
the U.S. Forest Service. The entire site and pipeline are listed as an
historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.

<p><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/umatilla/?cid=2583"><img alt="Fremont Hilltop Hideaway" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5261496" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left;" width="144" /></a>Hilltop Hideaway is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. The cozy little cabin features:&nbsp;one bedroom with&nbsp;dressers and&nbsp;a queen-over-queen bunkbed;&nbsp;a parlor with chair, couch and tables; a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes and a dining table with chairs; and a full bath with hot water, tub/shower&nbsp;and flush toilet during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and an oil heating stove. There is a briquette grill and picnic table out the back. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.</p><p>While there is water available June through September, there is no water or indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for tent camping.</p><p><strong>Nearby Recreation Rentals:</strong> This area includes three other cabins, all within a couple hundred feet of each other:<a href="http:// /recarea/56539"> </a><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=56539&amp;actid=101">Caretaker&#39;s Cabin</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56541">Congo Gulch</a>, and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56545">Miner&#39;s Retreat</a>. This provides great flexibility for larger groups like family reunions or weddings.</p><ul><li><b>Do call the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56453">North Fork John Day Ranger District</a> three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access.&nbsp;</b>Our office is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541) 427-3231.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Availability</strong>:&nbsp;Hilltop Hideaway is available for rent year-round.</li></ul><h2>History</h2><p>In the 180s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining.&nbsp; Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the mines more economically.&nbsp;&nbsp;As a result, the&nbsp;<strong>Fremont Powerhouse</strong> was constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power.&nbsp;Houses were constructed in the 19302 to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for breaks and kept the powerhouse operating. After 59 years of continuous service, generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In 1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to the U.S. Forest Service. The entire site and pipeline are listed as an historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.</p>

It is $55 per night, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly
for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.

Fremont Hilltop Hideaway Cabin

Caretaker's Cabin is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site.  The
cozy 2-storied cabin features: two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, 2 twin
beds, and 2 full-over-queen bunkbeds; a parlor with 2 futons and end tables; a
dining room with a table and chairs to seat 10; a kitchen with refrigerator,
electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes; and
a full bath with hot water and flush toilet during the summer months.  Outside
there is a fire ring and picnic table--prior to arrival please contact the
District office to determine whether fires have been banned.  The cabin has
electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided
and renters are required to clean the house before they leave. While there is
water available June through September, there is no water or indoor plumbing
October through May. Visitors during those times must bring plenty of water
for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near the cabin for use
when the water is turned off. There is additional space for tent camping.

For activities, go hiking within the North Fork John Day Wilderness or
mountain biking on closed forest roads. Take a drive along the Blue Mountain
or Elkhorn Scenic Byways.  Olive Lake is 7 miles west, offering fishing
boating, swimming, and hiking.  Visit the nearby ghost town of Granite or
travel a bit farther to Sumpter where an old mining dredge has been restored
and is open for tours.

**Nearby Recreation Rentals:** This area includes three other cabins, all
within a couple hundred feet of each other: Congo Gulch, Hilltop Hideaway, and
Miner's Retreat. This provides great flexibility for larger groups such as
family reunions or weddings.

  * **Do call theNorth Fork John Day Ranger District three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access. **Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541) 427-3231. 
  * **Availability:**  Caretaker's Cabin is available for rent year-round. 

## History

In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and
silver mining.  Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings
and promoted construction of a cheaper power source, in an effort to operate
the mines more economically. As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was
constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive
Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and
steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power.
Huses were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for
breaks and kept the powerhouse operating. After 59 years of continuous
service, the powerhouse generated its last electrical power in October 1967.
In 1968, the California Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex
to the U.S. Forest Service. Caretakers Cabin is a large house located the
farthest north of all the structures.  The entire site and pipeline are listed
as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

<p><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/umatilla/?cid=2581"><img alt="Fremont Caretakers Cabin" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5261368" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left;" width="144" /></a>Caretaker&#39;s Cabin is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site.&nbsp; The cozy 2-storied cabin features:&nbsp;two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, 2 twin beds, and 2 full-over-queen bunkbeds; a parlor with 2 futons and end tables; a dining room with a table and chairs to seat 10; a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes;&nbsp;and a full bath with hot water and flush toilet during the summer months.&nbsp; Outside there is a fire ring and picnic table--prior to arrival please contact the District office to determine whether fires have been banned.&nbsp; The cabin has electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave. While there is water available June through September, there is no water or indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near the cabin for use when the water is&nbsp;turned off. There is additional space for tent camping.</p><p>For activities, go hiking within the North Fork John Day Wilderness or mountain biking on closed forest roads. Take a drive along the Blue Mountain or Elkhorn Scenic Byways.&nbsp; Olive Lake is 7 miles west, offering fishing boating, swimming, and hiking.&nbsp; Visit the nearby ghost town of Granite or travel a bit farther to Sumpter where an old mining dredge has been restored and is open for tours.</p><p><strong>Nearby Recreation Rentals: </strong>This area includes three other cabins, all within a couple hundred feet of each other: <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56541">Congo Gulch</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56543">Hilltop Hideaway</a>, and <a href="http://56545">Miner&#39;s Retreat</a>. This provides great flexibility for larger groups such as family reunions or weddings.</p><ul><li><strong>Do call the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56453">North Fork John Day Ranger District</a> three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access.&nbsp;</strong>Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541) 427-3231.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Availability:</strong>&nbsp;Caretaker&#39;s Cabin is available for rent year-round.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>History</h2><p>In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining.&nbsp; Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source, in an effort to operate the mines more economically. As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power. Huses were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for breaks and kept the powerhouse operating. After 59 years of continuous service, the powerhouse generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In 1968, the California Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to the U.S. Forest Service. Caretakers Cabin is a large house located the farthest north of all the structures.&nbsp; The entire site and pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.</p>

It is $80 per night, with a maximum of ten occupants. Fees are used directly
for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.

Fremont Caretaker's Cabin

## Overview

Caretaker's Cabin allows guests to relax in the outdoors at the historic
Fremont Powerhouse site. As one of four cabins located at the site, the cabin
offers flexibility for large groups, like weddings or reunions. Guests can
rent all cabins (see Congo Gulch, Hilltop Hideaway, and Miner's Retreat) and
also pitch tents in the grassy yard. Caretaker’s Cabin sits on a hill beside
Miner’s Retreat and has parking access beside it. The cabin can accommodate up
to 10 guests. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. In the
1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver
mining. Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and
promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the
mines more economically. As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed
and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water
from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to
the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power. The Caretaker’s
Cabin house was constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the
pipeline for leaks and kept the powerhouse operating. The entire site and
pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of
Historic Places.

## Recreation

Guests can hike on North Fork John Day Wilderness trails or go mountain biking
on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as
are activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife
viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers
boating, fishing and swimming.

## Facilities

The cabin is a 2-story house with wood siding and a shake shingle roof that
can accommodate 10 guests. The cabin features: · two bedrooms upstairs with
dressers, 2 twin beds, and 2 full-over-queen bunkbeds; · parlor with 2 futons
and end tables; · dining room with a table and chairs to seat 10; · kitchen
with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster,
cookware, and dishes; · bathroom with flush toilet and claw-footed tub (no
shower). Outside there is a fire ring and picnic table--prior to arrival
please contact the District office to determine whether fires have been
banned. The cabin has electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning
supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before
they leave. Water is available June through September only. No water or indoor
plumbing from October to May. Instead, an outhouse is available for use. In
these seasons, guests are asked to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking
and washing. Other items to pack year-round include food, bedding, a first aid
kit, flashlight, matches and all other basic camping gear. Click here for more
cabin details.

## Natural Features

Perched on a small rise at about 5,000 feet in elevation, the cabin is set on
a hillside under a large spruce tree. A grassy lawn in front spreads to the
three other cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is
home to Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, larch and Douglas-fir. Birds in the
area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the boreal owl.
Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals.
Click here to learn about bear safety.

## Nearby Attractions

The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that
once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and
fuel. Opportunities for horseback riding are within 10 miles of the cabin.

<h2>Overview</h2>
  
Caretaker's Cabin allows guests to relax in the outdoors at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site.  As one of four cabins located at the site, the cabin offers flexibility for large groups, like weddings or reunions. Guests can rent all cabins (see Congo Gulch, Hilltop Hideaway, and Miner's Retreat) and also pitch tents in the grassy yard. Caretaker’s Cabin sits on a hill beside Miner’s Retreat and has parking access beside it. The cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. 
In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining.  Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the mines more economically.  As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power. The Caretaker’s Cabin house was constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for leaks and kept the powerhouse operating.  The entire site and pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. <h2>Recreation</h2>
 Guests can hike on North Fork John Day Wilderness trails or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.<h2>Facilities</h2>
  
The cabin is a 2-story house with wood siding and a shake shingle roof that can accommodate 10 guests. The cabin features: 
· two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, 2 twin beds, and 2 full-over-queen bunkbeds; 
· parlor with 2 futons and end tables; 
· dining room with a table and chairs to seat 10; 
· kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes; 
· bathroom with flush toilet and claw-footed tub (no shower).  
Outside there is a fire ring and picnic table--prior to arrival please contact the District office to determine whether fires have been banned. The cabin has electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.
Water is available June through September only. No water or indoor plumbing from October to May. Instead, an outhouse is available for use. In these seasons, guests are asked to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Other items to pack year-round include food, bedding, a first aid kit, flashlight, matches and all other basic camping gear. Click here for more cabin details.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Perched on a small rise at about 5,000 feet in elevation, the cabin is set on a hillside under a large spruce tree. A grassy lawn in front spreads to the three other cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, larch and Douglas-fir. 
 
Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel. Opportunities for horseback riding are within 10 miles of the cabin.

White, two-story house on a grassy hill next to a fir forest.

CARETAKERS CABIN

Caretakers Cabin

Miner's Retreat is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. This cozy
little cabin features: a covered front porch with loveseat glider; two
bedrooms with dressers and 2 twin beds and and 2 twin-over-twin bunkbeds; a
parlor with a dining table and chairs, queen-sized futon, chair, and end
tables; a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee
pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes; and a full bath with hot water, shower,
and flush toilet during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and
electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are
required to clean the house before they leave.

While there is water available June through September, there is no water or
indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring
plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near
the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for
tent camping.

**Nearby Recreation Rentals:** This area includes three other cabins, all
within a couple hundred feet of each other: Caretaker's Cabin, Congo Gulch,
and Hilltop Hideaway. This provides great flexibility for larger groups like
family reunions or weddings.

  * **Availability:**  Miner's Retreat is available for rent year round.

## History

In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and
silver mining.  Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings
and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate
the mines more economically.  As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was
constructed and began operation in 1908.  Two dams were constructed at Olive
Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and
steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much needed electrical power.
Houses were constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the
pipeline for breaks and kept the powerhouse operating. After 59 years of
continuous service, generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In
1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to
the U.S. Forest Service. The entire site and pipeline are listed as an
historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

<p><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/umatilla/?cid=2584"><img alt="Fremont Miners Retreat" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5261516" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left;" width="144" /></a>Miner&#39;s Retreat is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. This cozy little cabin features:&nbsp;a covered front porch with loveseat glider; two bedrooms with dressers and&nbsp;2 twin beds and and 2 twin-over-twin bunkbeds; a parlor with a dining table and chairs, queen-sized futon, chair, and end tables; a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes; and a full bath with hot water, shower,&nbsp;and flush toilet during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.</p><p>While there is water available June through September, there is no water or indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for tent camping.</p><p><strong>Nearby Recreation Rentals: </strong>This area includes three other cabins, all within a couple hundred feet of each other: <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56541">Caretaker&#39;s Cabin</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56541">Congo Gulch</a>, and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56543">Hilltop Hideaway</a>. This provides great flexibility for larger groups like family reunions or weddings.</p><ul><li><strong>Availability:</strong>&nbsp;Miner&rsquo;s Retreat is available for rent year round.</li></ul><h2>History</h2><p>In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining.&nbsp; Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the mines more economically.&nbsp; As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed and began operation in 1908.&nbsp; Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water&nbsp;from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much needed electrical power.&nbsp; Houses were constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for breaks and kept the powerhouse operating.&nbsp;After 59 years of continuous service, generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In 1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to the U.S. Forest Service. The entire site and pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.</p>

It is $65 per night, with a maximum of six occupants. Fees are used directly
for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.

Fremont Miner's Retreat Cabin

## Overview

Miner's Retreat is an old Forest Service cabin that allows guests to relax in
the outdoors and also step back in time to when the cabin was used during the
bygone gold mining days. Miner's Retreat is part of the Fremont Powerhouse
complex, a hub for mining built in the early 1900s. It is one of four cabins
located at the site near the town of Granite, and provides great flexibility
for larger groups.  
  
The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The
Fremont Powerhouse was built in 1908 as an economical method for mining. Two
dams were constructed at Olive Lake, and water from the lake was piped through
an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity.
Homes were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today,
these same shelters are where visitors can stay overnight.  
  
The cabin is uphill from the Fremont Powerhouse, flanked by Caretakers Cabin
and Hilltop Hideaway. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or
snowmobiles.  
  
Click here for a virtual tour of the area.

## Recreation

Guests can hike on trails into the North Fork John Day Wilderness or go
mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway
is a treat, as are other activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking,
bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby
Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.

## Facilities

This cozy little cabin offers a covered front porch and features two bedrooms,
a full bath with hot and cold running water (during the summer months only)
and a kitchen and living room. The cabin has electric lights throughout and is
heated with electric wall heaters.  
  
The cabin sleeps up to six and is fully furnished with beds, a couch and a
table with chairs. The kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and oven,
refrigerator and a variety of utensils, such as skillets, a coffee pot,
glasses, cups, dishes and silverware. Cleaning supplies are also provided.
Guests must bring sleeping bags or bedding, a flashlight, first aid kit,
washcloths, towels and dish soap, among other general camping supplies. Click
here for more cabin details.

## Natural Features

The cabin sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, on a hillside overlooking
the expansive Umatilla National Forest near the North Fork John Day
Wilderness. A grassy lawn in front leads to the other three cabins in the
area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine and
Douglas fir.  
  
Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and
the Boreal owl. Black bear, elk and deer are among the native land mammals.
Click here to learn about bear safety.

## Nearby Attractions

The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that
once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and
fuel.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Miner's Retreat is an old Forest Service cabin that allows guests to relax in the outdoors and also step back in time to when the cabin was used during the bygone gold mining days. Miner's Retreat is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining built in the early 1900s. It is one of four cabins located at the site near the town of Granite, and provides great flexibility for larger groups.
<br/><br/>
The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The Fremont Powerhouse was built in 1908 as an economical method for mining. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake, and water from the lake was piped through an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same shelters are where visitors can stay overnight.
<br/><br/>
The cabin is uphill from the Fremont Powerhouse, flanked by Caretakers Cabin and Hilltop Hideaway. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles.<br/><br/>                                    
<a href="http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/usace/redrock/tour.html" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> for a virtual tour of the area.<h2>Recreation</h2>
 Guests can hike on trails into the North Fork John Day Wilderness or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are other activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.<h2>Facilities</h2>
This cozy little cabin offers a covered front porch and features two bedrooms, a full bath with hot and cold running water (during the summer months only) and a kitchen and living room. The cabin has electric lights throughout and is heated with electric wall heaters. 
<br/><br/>
The cabin sleeps up to six and is fully furnished with beds, a couch and a table with chairs. The kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and oven, refrigerator and a variety of utensils, such as skillets, a coffee pot, glasses, cups, dishes and silverware. Cleaning supplies are also provided. Guests must bring sleeping bags or bedding, a flashlight, first aid kit, washcloths, towels and dish soap, among other general camping supplies. <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/recreation/rentals/uma-miners-retreat.shtml" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> for more cabin details.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The cabin sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, on a hillside overlooking the expansive Umatilla National Forest near the North Fork John Day Wilderness. A grassy lawn in front leads to the other three cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. 
<br/><br/>
Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the Boreal owl. Black bear, elk and deer are among the native land mammals.  <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/home/?cid=STELPRDB5309506" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to learn about bear safety.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel.

White house with clapboard siding.

MINERS RETREAT

Miners Retreat

Congo Gulch Cabin is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. This
cozy 2-storied cabin features: two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, a queen
bed, 3 twins, and a full-over-queen bunkbed; a third bedroom downstairs with a
dresser and full-over-queen bunkbed; a parlor with dining table/chairs, 2
futons and end tables; a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven,
microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes, and a second dining table
with chairs; and a full bath with hot water, shower/tub, and flush toilet
during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and an oil heating
stove. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean
the house before they leave.

While there is water available June through September, there is no water or
indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring
plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near
the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for
tent camping.

**Nearby Recreation Rentals:** This area includes three other cabins, all
within a couple hundred feet of each other: Caretaker's Cabin, Hilltop
Hideaway, and Miner's Retreat. This provides great flexibility for larger
groups like family reunions or weddings.

  * **Do call theNorth Fork John Day Ranger District three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access. **Our office is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541) 427-3231. 
  * **Availability:**  Congo Gulch is available for rent year-round.

## History

In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and
silver mining.  Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings
and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate
the mines more economically.  As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was
constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive
Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and
steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power.
The Congo Gulch house was constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who
monitored the pipeline for leaks and kept the powerhouse operating.  After 59
years of continuous service, the powerhouse generated its last electrical
power in October 1967. In 1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company
donated the entire complex to the U.S. Forest Service.  The entire site and
pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of
Historic Places.

<p><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/umatilla/?cid=2582"><img alt="Fremont Congo Gulch" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5261478" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left;" width="144" /></a>Congo Gulch Cabin is located at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site.&nbsp;This cozy 2-storied cabin features:&nbsp;two bedrooms upstairs with dressers,&nbsp;a queen bed, 3 twins, and&nbsp;a full-over-queen bunkbed; a third bedroom downstairs with a dresser and full-over-queen bunkbed; a parlor with dining table/chairs, 2 futons and end tables;&nbsp;a kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes, and a second dining table with chairs; and a full bath with hot water, shower/tub,&nbsp;and flush toilet during the summer months. The cabin has electric lights and an oil heating stove. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.</p><p>While there is water available June through September, there is no water or indoor plumbing October through May. Visitors during those times must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. There is an outhouse near the cabin for use when the water is turned off. There is additional space for tent camping.</p><p><strong>Nearby Recreation Rentals:</strong> This area includes three other cabins, all within a couple hundred feet of each other: <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56539">Caretaker&#39;s Cabin</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56543">Hilltop Hideaway</a>, and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recreation/recarea/?recid=56545">Miner&#39;s Retreat</a>. This provides great flexibility for larger groups like family reunions or weddings.</p><ul><li><strong>Do call the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56453">North Fork John Day Ranger District</a> three business days before your arrival date to receive a combination for cabin access.&nbsp;</strong>Our office is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM and our phone number is (541)&nbsp;427-3231.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Availability:</strong>&nbsp;Congo Gulch is available for rent year-round.</li></ul><h2>History</h2><p>In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining.&nbsp; Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the mines more economically.&nbsp; As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power. The Congo Gulch house was constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for leaks and kept the powerhouse operating.&nbsp; After 59 years of continuous service, the powerhouse generated its last electrical power in October 1967. In 1968, the California - Pacific Utilities Company donated the entire complex to the U.S. Forest Service.&nbsp;&nbsp;The entire site and pipeline are&nbsp;listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.</p>

It is $80 per night, with a maximum of twelve occupants. Fees are used
directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin.

Fremont Congo Gulch Cabin

## Overview

Congo Gulch is an old Forest Service cabin that allows guests to relax in the
outdoors and step back in time to when the cabin was used during bygone gold
mining days. It is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining
built in the early 1900s. As one of four cabins located at the site, the cabin
offers flexibility for large groups. Guests can rent all cabins and also pitch
tents in the grassy yard. The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining
activity, primarily gold. The Fremont Powerhouse was built in 1908 as an
economical method for mining. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake, and
water from the lake was piped through an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the
powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were constructed to shelter workers
who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same shelters are available as
recreational rentals. Congo Gulch is named for the small creek that runs
beside the property. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles.

## Recreation

Guests can hike on North Fork John Day Wilderness Area trails or go mountain
biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a
treat, as are activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching,
wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake
offers boating, fishing and swimming.

## Facilities

The two-story white cabin with wood siding and a metal roof can accommodate up
to 12 guests. It features: · two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, a queen bed,
3 twins, and a full-over-queen bunkbed; · one bedroom downstairs with a
dresser and full-over-queen bunkbed; · parlor with dining table/chairs, 2
futons and end tables; · kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven,
microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes, and a second dining table
with chairs; · full bath with shower/tub and flush toilet. The cabin has
electric lights and an oil heating stove. A picnic table and brick fireplace
are provided next to the pond (bring your own firewood). Cleaning supplies are
also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.
Water is available June through September only. No water or indoor plumbing
from October to May. Instead, an outhouse is available for use. In these
seasons, guests are asked to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and
washing. Other items to pack year-round include food, bedding, a first aid
kit, flashlight, matches and all other basic camping gear. Click here for more
cabin details.

## Natural Features

The cabin sits at about 5,000 feet in elevation and is neatly tucked under a
large Douglas-fir, next to a small pond. A grassy lawn in front spreads to the
other three cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is
home to Ponderosa pine lodgepole pine, larch, and Douglas fir. Birds in the
area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the boreal owl.
Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals.
Click here to learn about bear safety.

## Nearby Attractions

The cabin is located less than six miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town
that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries
and fuel. Opportunities for horseback riding and a boat ramp, boating,
fishing, and swimming are located within ten miles from the cabin.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Congo Gulch is an old Forest Service cabin that allows guests to relax in the outdoors and step back in time to when the cabin was used during bygone gold mining days. It is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining built in the early 1900s. As one of four cabins located at the site, the cabin offers flexibility for large groups. Guests can rent all cabins and also pitch tents in the grassy yard. 
  
The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The Fremont Powerhouse was built in 1908 as an economical method for mining. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake, and water from the lake was piped through an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same shelters are available as recreational rentals.
  
Congo Gulch is named for the small creek that runs beside the property. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Guests can hike on North Fork John Day Wilderness Area trails or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.<h2>Facilities</h2>
  
The two-story white cabin with wood siding and a metal roof can accommodate up to 12 guests. It features:
· two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, a queen bed, 3 twins, and a full-over-queen bunkbed; 
· one bedroom downstairs with a dresser and full-over-queen bunkbed; 
· parlor with dining table/chairs, 2 futons and end tables; 
· kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, dishes, and a second dining table with chairs; 
· full bath with shower/tub and flush toilet. 
The cabin has electric lights and an oil heating stove. A picnic table and brick fireplace are provided next to the pond (bring your own firewood). Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave.
Water is available June through September only. No water or indoor plumbing from October to May. Instead, an outhouse is available for use. In these seasons, guests are asked to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Other items to pack year-round include food, bedding, a first aid kit, flashlight, matches and all other basic camping gear. 
Click here for more cabin details.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The cabin sits at about 5,000 feet in elevation and is neatly tucked under a large Douglas-fir, next to a small pond. A grassy lawn in front spreads to the other three cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine lodgepole pine, larch, and Douglas fir. 
 
Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The cabin is located less than six miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel. Opportunities for horseback riding and a boat ramp, boating, fishing, and swimming are located within ten miles from the cabin.

White house on flat green grass between a conifer covered hill and a small pond with a dock.

CONGO GULCH

Congo Gulch

## Overview

Hilltop Hideaway is a 1930's era cabin that allows guests to relax in the
outdoors and step back in time to the bygone gold mining days. Hilltop
Hideaway is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining built in
the early 1900s. It is one of four cabins located at the site near the town of
Granite, and provides great flexibility for larger groups. The surrounding
valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The Fremont
Powerhouse was built as an economical power source for mining. Two dams were
constructed at Olive Lake and the water was piped through an 8-mile wood and
steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were
constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same
homes are available for the public to enjoy. Hilltop Hideaway is the cabin
farthest uphill from the Fremont Powerhouse. Winter access may require skis,
snowshoes or snowmobiles. Click here for a virtual tour of the area.

## Recreation

Guests can hike on trails into the North Fork John Day Wilderness or go
mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway
is a treat, as are other activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking,
bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby
Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.

## Facilities

This cozy little cabin features one bedroom with a queen over queen bunkbed, a
full bath with hot and cold running water (during the summer months only), a
kitchen, and a living room. The cabin has electric lights throughout and is
heated with electric heaters. The cabin sleeps up to four and is fully
furnished with beds, a couch, and a table with chairs. The kitchen is equipped
with an electric stove and oven, refrigerator, microwave and a variety of
utensils, such as pots/skillets, a coffee pot, toaster, dishes and silverware.
Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the
house before they leave. Guests must bring sleeping bags or bedding, a
flashlight, first aid kit, washcloths, towels and dish soap, among other
general camping supplies.

## Natural Features

The cabin sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, on a hillside overlooking
the expansive Umatilla National Forest near the North Fork John Day
Wilderness. A grassy lawn in front leads to the other three cabins in the
area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine and
Douglas fir. Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American
kestrel and the Boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among
the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety.

## Nearby Attractions

The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that
once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and
fuel.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Hilltop Hideaway is a 1930's era cabin that allows guests to relax in the outdoors and step back in time to the bygone gold mining days. Hilltop Hideaway is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining built in the early 1900s. It is one of four cabins located at the site near the town of Granite, and provides great flexibility for larger groups. The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The Fremont Powerhouse was built as an economical power source for mining. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and the water was piped through an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same homes are available for the public to enjoy. Hilltop Hideaway is the cabin farthest uphill from the Fremont Powerhouse. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. Click here for a virtual tour of the area.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Guests can hike on trails into the North Fork John Day Wilderness or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are other activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>This cozy little cabin features one bedroom with a queen over queen bunkbed, a full bath with hot and cold running water (during the summer months only), a kitchen, and a living room. The cabin has electric lights throughout and is heated with electric heaters. The cabin sleeps up to four and is fully furnished with beds, a couch, and a table with chairs. The kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and oven, refrigerator, microwave and a variety of utensils, such as pots/skillets, a coffee pot, toaster, dishes and silverware. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave. Guests must bring sleeping bags or bedding, a flashlight, first aid kit, washcloths, towels and dish soap, among other general camping supplies. </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The cabin sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, on a hillside overlooking the expansive Umatilla National Forest near the North Fork John Day Wilderness. A grassy lawn in front leads to the other three cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the Boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel.</p>

Hilltop Hideaway - Umatilla NF (OR)

## Overview

This campground sits along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River at
the junction of the Blue Mountain and Elkhorn Scenic Byways. It features 20
campsites, 3 accessible toilet facilities, and stock handling facilities.
There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage
home.

This campground serves as the eastern access point to the North Fork John Day
Wilderness via North Fork John Day River Trail #3022. The area offers hunting,
fishing, hiking, horseback riding, berry and mushroom picking, sight-seeing,
and photography opportunities. In spring and fall you can see the salmon
spawning. Special state fishing regulations apply.

If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto
tour brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District.

## Recreation

This campground serves as the eastern portal into the North Fork John Day
Wilderness and offers hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-
seeing, and photography. Berries and mushrooms can be found in season. If you
like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto tour
brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District office. if you are
interested in history, there are numerous remnants of mining left from the
turn of the century, Remember, historic objects, even if they look like trash,
are protected by law and may not be removed.

## Facilities

This campground features 14 tent/rv campsites, 5 tent only campsites, 1 group
campsite, 3 accessible vault toilets, and stock handling/holding facilities
(stock is only permitted in the north half of the campground from sites
10-16). There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your
garbage home.

## Natural Features

The campground is set amidst a lodgepole pine forest, with over half of the
sites in the shade. The perennial North Fork John Day River runs adjacent to
the campground where you can see spawning steelhead and chinook salmon in
spring and fall. In the surrounding forests live coyotes, deer, elk, wolves,
bear, and cougar, plus a myriad of small animal species.

## Nearby Attractions

The historic mining town of Granite is 9 miles south. State of Oregon Parks
has a restored dredge that can be toured in the town of Sumpter, 22 miles
south. Olive Lake is 21 miles south and west of the campground, and offers
fishing , crawfishing, swimming, motorized boating (no wake allowed) and
nearby trails for hiking/horseback riding (horses are not allowed in the
campground). The lake-turned-reservior was constructed as part of a
hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities in the northern Blue
Mountain Region in the early 1900's. Historically, water from the lake flowed
through a wooden pipeline for 9 miles to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was
used to produce electricity for mines and towns. The Powerhouse is
approximately 14 miles south and west of the NFJD Campground on the same road
that accesses Olive Lake.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>This campground sits along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River at the junction of the Blue Mountain and Elkhorn Scenic Byways.  It features 20 campsites, 3 accessible toilet facilities, and stock handling facilities. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.  </p>
<p>This campground serves as the eastern access point to the North Fork John Day Wilderness via North Fork John Day River Trail #3022. The area offers hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, berry and mushroom picking, sight-seeing, and photography opportunities. In spring and fall you can see the salmon spawning.  Special state fishing regulations apply. </p>

<p>If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto tour brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District. </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>This campground serves as the eastern portal into the North Fork John Day Wilderness and offers hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography. Berries and mushrooms can be found in season.  If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto tour brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District office. if you are interested in history, there are numerous remnants of mining left from the turn of the century,  Remember, historic objects, even if they look like trash, are protected by law and may not be removed.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>This campground features 14 tent/rv campsites, 5 tent only campsites, 1 group campsite, 3 accessible vault toilets, and stock handling/holding facilities (stock is only permitted in the north half of the campground from sites 10-16). There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The campground is set amidst a lodgepole pine forest, with over half of the sites in the shade.  The perennial North Fork John Day River runs adjacent to the campground where you can see spawning steelhead and chinook salmon in spring and fall. In the surrounding forests live coyotes, deer, elk, wolves, bear, and cougar, plus a myriad of small animal species.  </p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The historic mining town of Granite is 9 miles south. State of Oregon Parks has a restored dredge that can be toured in the town of Sumpter, 22 miles south.  Olive Lake is 21 miles south and west of the campground, and offers fishing , crawfishing, swimming, motorized boating (no wake allowed) and nearby trails for hiking/horseback riding (horses are not allowed in the campground). The lake-turned-reservior was constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities in the northern Blue Mountain Region in the early 1900's. Historically, water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline for 9 miles to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns. The  Powerhouse is approximately 14 miles south and west of the NFJD Campground on the same road that accesses Olive Lake.</p>