Timpanogas

46375 Highway 58
WESTFIR, OR 97492

Overview

Timpanogas Shelter sits on shore of its namesake lake at an altitude of 5,300 feet in the Willamette National Forest within the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area. The cabin was patterned after the old Civilian Conservation Corps 3-sided shelter and was built in 1991 with the help of a University of Oregon outdoor school class and the Walker Rim Snowmobile Club.

The cabin is typically open from late June through late October. It is accessible by car, but the last 7 miles of the road are rough and narrow.

Recreation

Anglers enjoy fishing for brook trout and cutthroat on upper and lower Timpanogas Lakes, even though the lakes are closed to motorcraft. Canoeing is also possible on the lakes.

Those not inclined to fish can enjoy hiking or mountain biking on numerous trails in the Timpanogas area, especially in late August when huckleberries are ripe for picking. This includes the Timpanogas Lake Trail, which starts at the Timpanogas Campground.

The Diamond Peak Trail Area, Pacific Crest Trail and Diamond Peak Wilderness are also nearby.

Facilities

This rustic 15 x 18 shelter with a dirt floor is designed to accommodate 6-8 people and comes equipped with a sleeping loft, a table with benches and a wood stove for heat. A picnic table, campfire ring and pit toilet are located outside. Additional camping is available on-site for up to 20 people. Drinking water, firewood and electricity are not provided. The cabin does not have a cook stove or cooking supplies. Potable water is available from a hand pump at the nearby Timpanogas Campground until late September. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Insect repellent is highly recommended. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated in a mountainous and heavily forested area where it is possible to see Diamond Peak, Sawtooth and Cowhorn Mountains. Timpanogas Lake is just one of several alpine lakes in the area.

Willamette National Forest offers prime habitat for such species as Roosevelt elk, black bear, northern bald eagles, mule deer and bobcats, among other wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

Trails for hiking and mountain biking are located less than a mile from the shelter.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Largest party: 6 people

Directions

From I-5, take Exit 188A onto Highway 58 and proceed just past MP 37 (east of Oakridge), turning right onto Kitson Springs Road. Proceed 0.5 mile to junction with Forest Service Road (FSR) 21, also signed as Diamond Drive. Turn right onto FSR 21 and continue approximately 32 miles, turning left onto paved FSR 2154. Continue on FSR 2154 approximately 10 miles (pavement ends at the 3.4 MP). At the 2154-6010 junction, stay on the 2154 (right); continue to stay on the 2154. At the next junction of the 2154-372 stay (right). Continue for a short distance. Watch for a gate on the left side of an unmarked spur, just after a switchback. If you reach the road into the Timpanogas campground, you've driven too far.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

3 reviews

4 stars

1 stars

Matt G

Loop:Area Timpanogas

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

We were provided the wrong combination to the lock and couldn’t gain access. We didn’t bother trying to contact anyone on site as we decided the mosquito situation was not going to be any better inside, but still left feeling frustrated by the situation and out a few bucks. Would be a lovely spot during bug offseason.

Ciara C

Loop:Area Timpanogas

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

This an absolute stunning place to stay camp. The views are spectacular, the lake is gorgeous, the hiking is fantastic. I would have given it 5 stars, however, the doors have some pretty major gaps. We stayed there on a week that was particularly cold, and luckily we had a tarp we could use to cover the doors somewhat. Those gaps I do feel stop the wood stove from keeping the shelter warm. Overall, it was amazing. I will be back to stay again.

Wayne D

Loop:Area Timpanogas

Site:

Reviewed 7 years ago

My wife and I enjoyed our time at the Timpanogas Shelter. We went for the last weekend in October and it was coooold! (20's at night) But we expected that and had many blanket layers and insulating pads. We also brought plenty of wood and kept the fire in the little wood stove going. Our one complaint was that the front sliding doors did not seal together, so the wind blew straight in between the large gap between them. The shelter is very rustic. We had mice freely running around as well as a chipmunk. It has a dirt/gravel floor, so we had some mats down for stepping out of bed. The shelf is wide enough for two people (side by side) - maybe about 4.5 feet wide. And you could easily sleep 4 people on the shelf - two at one end and two at the other. The lake is pretty, but quite brush-lined. So there is no beach per-se, but little places where you can get down to the water between the bushes. There are some nice hiking trails. I think it was Indigo lake that we hiked to.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve