American Ridge Lodge

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Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

American Ridge Lodge

Tucked in the foothills of the eastern Cascades, the American Ridge Lodge sits just outside the boundary of the William O. Douglas Wilderness . The rustic and spacious 43-foot x 48-foot lodge, although largely unfurnished, is equipped with a kitchen area, counter space and benches, several closets and cabinets, and a wood stove. There is an outdoor fire ring and picnic tables, as well as plenty of room on the grounds for dispersed camping, making it an ideal location for groups. Visitors must supply their own wood for the wood stove and fire ring. The lodge does not have electricity, so bring lanterns. There is no water on site. Pitcher pump water is available during the summer months from the Cedar Springs Campground located approximately 1.5 miles from the site. In the fall, winter and spring, visitors must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and washing. ***Winter skiing, sledding, tubing or other winter recreation use available only by reservation.*** ***TARGET SHOOTING NOT ALLOWED WITHIN 150 YARDS OF AMERICAN RIDGE LODGE OR ANY BUILDING, CAMPSITE, DEVELOPED RECREATION SITE, OR OCCUPIED AREA*** • Availability: American Ridge Lodge is available year round by reservation only. • Price and Capacity: $100 per night, and $150 per night on holidays, with a maximum of sixty occupants. The minimum length stay is one night for non-holiday weekdays, two nights for a weekend, and three nights for a holiday weekend. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the cabin. • Reservations: The maximum length stay is 14 consecutive nights. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov History In the 1930s, the Yakima Valley Ski Club worked with the US Forest Service to plan construction of the American River Ski Bowl, one of the first downhill ski areas in Washington State. From 1933 through 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a ranger station with workshops, storage buildings and employee houses, a guard station on American River, a back country trail shelter at Swamp Lake, four lookouts, ten public campgrounds, eight bridges, sixty miles of road, and the American Ridge Ski Bowl. By the late 1950s, the White Pass Ski area was built, offering deeper snow, a longer ski season and steeper slopes. American Ridge Ski Bowl couldn’t compete and lay vacant for years. The remaining day lodge and unique twenty-seater outhouse were carefully restored and have been available to the public for rent since 1984.

Before you go

Scenic drives that pass close

• Chinook Scenic BywayPasses it
• JCT MUD MTN RD VIC ENUMCLAW TO JCT SR 12 VIC NACHESPasses it
• JCT SCATTER CREEK CROSSING TO JCT SR 12 VIC NACHESPasses it
• Mountains to Sound Greenway - I-9016 mi
• JCT EAST SUNSET WAY VIC ISSAQUAH TO VIC THORP16 mi
• JCT WEST LAKE SAMMAMISH PKWY VIC ISSAQUAH TO JCT SR 970 VIC CLE ELUM16 mi