Spring, Summer & Fall at the Huts
The off-season isn’t off at all.
What’s it all about?
Our summer season opens at the beginning of May, just in time for peak wildflower season toward the end of that month and into June. We close again in August to beat the heat and/or smoke and allow time for more major renovations. September-October means fall foliage, a no-fuss stay for hunting season, and cooler temps for mountain biking.
Summer season activities
Hiking, biking, chill-axing at the hut. All huts are located on forest service roads. Explore on foot or wheels there are many seldom traveled roads in the area.
Arrival & Departure
Can we drive to the huts?
Yes! Unlike in winter, access to the huts is easy with a car. It is an approximately 45 minute drive from Winthrop, depending on the hut. There is no freight-haul service in the summer, so plan to deliver your own gear to the hut. The roads in the area are maintained by the forest service and can be rough. A higher clearance vehicle like a Subaru is recommended.
Directions - Important, read this!!
You will receive detailed directions with your reservation.
1) Print them out. There is limited/no cell service on your way to the hut.
2) Set your odometer to zero. Our directions are based off of turn by turn mileage readings. It is easy to find the huts if you read EVERYTHING and follow mileage closely. If something doesn’t seem quite right, back up and start at the last direction. It’s easy to get lost on the maze of roads.
Check in at 1pm or after
Huts are self check-in, no need to contact us when you arrive. If you arrive too early, your hut may not be clean or ready for your use. Please respect the check in time.
Check out at 11am or before
Huts are self check-out, no need to contact us when you leave. Please leave by 11 at the latest so we have time to prep your hut for the next guest.
Are the huts locked?
The huts are not locked. Please keep valuables in a safe place, as if you were camping. That being said, we have never had an issue with other people disturbing guests’ items or bothering guests during their stay.
Everything your hut has to offer.
All huts have 5 double beds and can therefore sleep up to 10 people. Just depends on how close you want to be with your travel companions.
All huts are exclusive use and designed to house a cozy crowd. Remember, your cost per person goes down when you share with friends!
What is provided at the huts?
-7 gallons of water with each stay. (You’ll likely want to bring a little more. There is no potable water in the area).
-All wood for wood stoves (please plan on bringing or harvesting wood for outdoor fires, IF they are allowed.)
-Range/oven with propane
-Solar and propane lighting
-Cookware, dishes and silverware
-Mattresses for sleeping
-Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, hand sani, soap, sponges and dish bins.
-Board games for when you are bored.
What should I bring?
-Food and drink
-Bedding
-Headlamps for those late night trips to the outhouse
Dogs like the woods too.
We welcome the wagging ones at ALL huts in the summer. There is no extra fee for pups. Unless they can use the outhouse, please pick up their poop.
Reservations
Book summer hut reservations through Methow Reservations.
Forest Fires
Fires are, unfortunately, a way of life in the Methow these days. We monitor any fires nearby and close the huts upon recommendation of the Forest Service.
If smoke conditions are unhealthy and persistent, we may contact you about rescheduling your stay. Some intermittent smoke should be expected if you come to the area in the summer, as we frequently have smokey days from fires that may be anywhere between California, Canada or beyond.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE expect that outdoor burning will not be allowed and respect any fire ban that is in place. Check for Okanogan County and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest burn bans. There will be signs posted at the huts as well.
Wildlife and Critters
What’s the best part of the huts? The views, the woods, nature…and everything that comes with it. We’ve seen bears, coyotes, cougars, bobcats (i.e. the cool stuff!), but also pack rats, mice and bugs. We do our best to live-trap the little creatures and re-home them. We do not use poison as it can transfer to birds of prey and other wildlife. Despite our efforts, these critters live in the woods and, frankly, enjoy the hut life. You may find evidence of your little roommates in the form of poops or skittering in the night.
We try our best to keep bugs at a minimum with traps, but keeping doors and screens closed can help.
