Murderer's Creek Guard Station is in the heart of the Malheur National Forest, in central Oregon. It makes an excellent base camp for back country recreating, and is a cozy retreat for a couple and a fun opportunity to imagine the life of the early day forest rangers. The historic guard station is one of the oldest standing buildings in the forest.
The cabin contains some modern amenities and can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Murderers Creek Guard Station is a charming and well-maintained cabin, perfect for a weekend getaway surrounded by natural beauty. Guests appreciate the comfortable accommodations, including a refrigerator/freezer, and enjoy the tranquility of the nearby creek and wildlife. While some visitors experienced minor issues like difficult directions and limited kitchen supplies, the overall experience is positive, highlighting the cabin's cozy atmosphere and scenic location.
Had a lovely visit to this cabin. So peaceful and quiet. Had some turkey visitors as well as a Mama and baby cow. The critter in the walls was more active than last time I visited but nothing I couldn’t sleep through. Visited the Fall Mountain Lookout on my way out for a nice view and stop for lunch.
There was an outhouse provided for the cabin and neighboring people camping used it non stop coming into our space with their dogs popping in the lawn and 4 omelets went wet we're trying to enjoy some peace. There's should be a posted sign for paying customers use outhouse not 1 million people. Very disappointing
This is a comfortable cabin in a very beautiful area. Nearby creek has plenty of water in June. The bed is comfortable. The heating stove was not operable, however, as it has been troublesome in a past visit also. The pilot was lit, but there was no way to get the stove to operate. I'll be back, as that is just a minor problem.
We would stay again! We stayed two nights in late June and thoroughly enjoyed the solitude, natural beauty, birds, bats, and night sky. The small stream is a short walk behind the cabin and invites visitors to take a cold dip. The cabin is cozy with two functioning windows for cross ventilation. It has a table with two chairs, four metal folding chairs, and two picnic tables. The futon mattress was comfortable for two average sized adults. The nearby vault toilet was well maintained. Be aware. Cell service is iffy even in nearby towns so print or eletronically save driving directions. The kitchen isn't well equipped for typical cooking and dining. The very few pots, pans, and tea kettle have seen better days and there is limited cooking utensils and flatware. Plan on bringing lots of water! You'd be suprised how much you use. The propane appliances, stove, and lighting worked as advertised. If you enjoy an outdoor fire, you are required to have a shovel or shovel like tool and water to douse the fire. The site isn't entirely secluded, there is a road in front of the cabin and prior guests commented on traffic, namely ATVs, and others using the vault toilet. During our stay, the traffic was minimal and noone stopped to use the toilet. We caught and released two yellow jackets but otherwise weren't disturbed by insects or rodents. Lastly, we were fortunate to see four wild horses on the side of the road as we were heading to John Day to go on a guided tour of the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site (https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=5). The nearby Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site is ideal for a picnic, walk along the John Day River, and replenishing your water supply (https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=8). The campground was closed during our visit.
Murderers Creek Guard Station is accessible via Oregon State Highway 395, which is located approximately 20 miles to the west.
Policies & Rules
General
There is no water at the guard station; guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning
Bears may frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and garbage (learn more about bear safety)
The cabin remains locked; a combination code will be contained in the reservation confirmation letter
Guests should contact the Ranger Station before arrival to confirm that road closures or weather conditions won't affect a visit
Learn more about the Malheur National Forest here
Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Murderer's Creek Guard Station is in a remote forest location with no mobile phone coverage