Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234145
When Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab reopens
Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
3
Openings · last 90 days
9
Only 9 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2 – Nov 22, 2026 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 21 tracked site-nights (Nov 2 – Nov 22, 2026): 12 reserved · 1 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative) · 8 closed.
No online availability right now
Of the 21 tracked site-nights (Nov 2 – Nov 22, 2026): 12 reserved · 1 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative) · 8 closed. A free alert tells you if any date opens online.
Load status
Nov 2 – Nov 22, 2026Not open online100%
Open site-nights0 / 21
Reserved (of online inventory)12 / 12
Of the 21 tracked site-nights (Nov 2 – Nov 22, 2026): 12 reserved · 1 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative) · 8 closed.
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – Nov 2026No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open site-nights across the tracked window — these site-nights are a mix of reserved, closed, unreleased and non-reservable dates.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 site| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked night.
About Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab
Overview
Ditch Creek Guard Station, located about 27 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, is a comfortable little cabin that accommodates six overnight guests, with additional space for tent camping outside. Equestrian campers are welcome and a corral with trough is provided.
The guard station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s. It is a classic example of forest structures of that era and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. It was used by forest fireguards who would ride their horses deep into the forest’s interior to look for wisps of smoke from lightning strikes or to check on communications lines along Forest Service roads. It became a recreation rental in 1997.
Recreation
The route to the cabin is located off the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, which boasts incredible views. Over 26 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, ranging between 4,100 and 5,300 feet in elevation, traverse forests and meadows throughout the Heppner Ranger District. Fishing opportunities abound in nearby streams, Penland Lake, and Bull Prairie Lake. Other activities include hunting for deer and elk, mushroom and berry picking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the scenic landscape.
Facilities
The cabin is a one-story building containing a bedroom, living room, kitchen with nook, and a bathroom. The cabin does not meet accessibility standards due to narrow doorways and halls. A picnic table, campfire ring and a 20' X 20' horse corral with water trough are located outside. Guests may pitch tents in the yard for additional sleeping options.
The bedroom contains two bunk beds, a dresser, and a chair, and the living room is furnished with a futon, loveseat, side table, a dining table with four chairs, and a heating stove. A cook stove, fire extinguisher, cookware, silverware, and dishes are included in the kitchen. All appliances and lighting are propane, which is provided by the Forest Service.
Potable water is available. Guests must bring food, bedding, toiletries, matches, flashlights, first aid kits, and any other camping gear. Cleaning supplies are provided in a closet by the door and guests are expected to clean the cabin before they leave.
Natural Features
The cabin sits near Ditch Creek on a large, flat lawn surrounded by a dense pine forest at an elevation of 4,800 feet. The creek is one of numerous small perennial streams that flow south into the North Fork John Day River. There is a small pond adjacent that is also stocked with fish. Deer and elk are likely to be seen in the area, and as evening falls, guests can watch bats flit and swoop above the yard.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest town with a general store is Heppner, a 27 mile, 40-minute drive away, although ice and some food options are available at the Morrow County OHV park 30 miles or 37 minutes away.
1 monitored siteNo hookups1 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 6
Getting there
From Lexington, OR, take Highway 74/207 east to Heppner. At the junction just outside the southern edge of Heppner, take a left (east) on paved Willow Creek Road. Travel 23 miles past Willow Creek Lake, Cutsforth County Park and up Coalmine Hill. At the top of the hill, take a right (west) on Forest Service Road 21 (a gravel road) and travel 3.5 miles. The cabin is located on a hill on the north side of the road and is accessed by two short entrance roads (Forest Service Road 050 and 051).
P.O. Box 7, Heppner, OR 97836541-676-9187
Berry PickingCampingFishingHikingHorseback RidingHuntingMushroom PickingWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-234145 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-234145 · Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab · Heppner OR5 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 21 tracked site-nights open for online reservation at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Campsite Sniper has also detected 9 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 18:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab?
Campsite Sniper detected 9 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Does Ditch Creek Guard Station Cab have online availability right now?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot, none of the 21 tracked site-nights are open for online reservation. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. A free Campsite Sniper alert tells you if any date opens online.
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