Jan M
VerifiedJune 30, 2026 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
Mice! Lots of them. We found three traps with bodies, and two live ones scurried under furniture
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Featured amenities
Parking
Sleeping Capacity
About Caretakers Cabin
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.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
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Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Sleeping Capacity
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Cabin Interior
- Sleeping Capacity
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01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
🏠
Cabin
- 10 guests
- Pet Friendly
Site Details
Up to 10 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Pet Friendly
Reviews
24 reviews
Summary
Caretakers Cabin offers a clean and warm environment, complemented by an amazing caretaker and a friendly dog. Guests appreciate the unique features like the Power House and the cabin's suitability as a base camp for adventures in the area. However, some guests reported issues with mice, including traps and sightings.
Based on guest feedback
3.9
Overall rating
Based on 24 reviews
5 stars
29.2% (7)
4 stars
50.0% (12)
3 stars
8.3% (2)
2 stars
4.2% (1)
1 star
8.3% (2)
Showing 24 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Anthony H
VerifiedMay 6, 2026 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
Clean, Warm, awesome!
Caretaker is amazing. Garfield and friendly dog are the best. Power House is really, really cool!
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Carolyn G
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
we love coming to this area. We use it as a base camp for our adventures. With a little planning there are many things to see and do!!! We will be back.
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Carolyn G
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
we love coming to this area. We use it as a base camp for our adventures. With a little planning there are many things to see and do!!! We will be back.
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Traci M
VerifiedApril 2, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
Secluded area, winter visit, bring your own water since it's off a few months so the pipes won't freeze, no connectivity, the most relaxing time I've had in forever! It's a hike to the vault toilet on the other side of the Power House, about a city block away. Had a tour of the Power House with the wonderful caretaker Mitch. He needs to be recorded so that history and knowledge won't get lost. Road in was a little mucky with water and ice/snow, but it would have been worse if Mitch didn't plow it. We brought sleds and games to keep us occupied. We found a few mines, including one shaft filled with water, which was so very cool and scary at the same time. Rich historical area that I could have easily explored the whole week without finding everything. Snowed the last two days but it quickly melted. So fun.
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Traci M
VerifiedApril 2, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
Secluded area, winter visit, bring your own water since it's off a few months so the pipes won't freeze, no connectivity, the most relaxing time I've had in forever! It's a hike to the vault toilet on the other side of the Power House, about a city block away. Had a tour of the Power House with the wonderful caretaker Mitch. He needs to be recorded so that history and knowledge won't get lost. Road in was a little mucky with water and ice/snow, but it would have been worse if Mitch didn't plow it. We brought sleds and games to keep us occupied. We found a few mines, including one shaft filled with water, which was so very cool and scary at the same time. Rich historical area that I could have easily explored the whole week without finding everything. Snowed the last two days but it quickly melted. So fun.
Helpful
Lynn B
VerifiedAugust 13, 2023 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
A group of men met together at the facility and everyone had high praise for building and the surroundings
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Lynn B
VerifiedAugust 13, 2023 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
A group of men met together at the facility and everyone had high praise for building and the surroundings
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Kathryn L
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
We really enjoyed our time here. The cabin was spacious amd stayed cool despite the heat. Mitch, the caretaker, was friendly and kind. The previous guests reported that had done some deep cleaning so we tried to keep that momentum going too. Overall clean and kept but they need some junk hauled away. The cabin also desperately needs a new mom, some kitchen towels, amd silverware. If you have any to donate when you stay that would be great, otherwise plan to at least bring kitchen washcloths and towels.
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Kathryn L
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CARETAKERS CABIN
We really enjoyed our time here. The cabin was spacious amd stayed cool despite the heat. Mitch, the caretaker, was friendly and kind. The previous guests reported that had done some deep cleaning so we tried to keep that momentum going too. Overall clean and kept but they need some junk hauled away. The cabin also desperately needs a new mom, some kitchen towels, amd silverware. If you have any to donate when you stay that would be great, otherwise plan to at least bring kitchen washcloths and towels.
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Location & Directions for Caretakers Cabin
P.O. Box 158, Ukiah, OR 97880 United States
Elevation: 1,510 ft
Getting There
From Pendleton, Oregon: Travel south on Highway 395 for 50 mi to the Ukiah exit. Turn left on Highway 244 to Ukiah. Turn right (south) just before the city park; this road becomes Forest Service Road (FSR) 52 at the Forest boundary. Travel 50 mi t...
From Pendleton, Oregon: Travel south on Highway 395 for 50 mi to the Ukiah exit. Turn left on Highway 244 to Ukiah. Turn right (south) just before the city park; this road becomes Forest Service Road (FSR) 52 at the Forest boundary. Travel 50 mi to the small town of Granite. From Granite go west on County Road 24 for approximately 6 mi. The main road veers left along the creek bed. At this junction turn right (uphill) on FSR 10 and follow the signs to the Fremont Powerhouse, towards Fremont Congo Gulch Cabin. Do not use between October and June without confirming this route is open with the Ranger District.
From Baker City, Oregon: Travel west on Highway 7 and continue 20 mi to the junction with FSR 73. Proceed north through Sumpter and another 17 mi to the small town of Granite. From Granite go west on County Road 24 for approximately 6 mi. The main road veers left along the creek bed. At this junction turn right (uphill) on FSR 10 and follow the signs to the Fremont Powerhouse, towards Fremont Congo Gulch Cabin. This route is plowed in the winter and provides the only winter access.
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
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Last updated: October 23, 2026
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Ukiah, OR
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service