Overview
The Spring Valley Cabin and Bunkhouse offer a peaceful retreat with spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks, quiet solitude, wildlife viewing opportunities, and access to nearby trails. All just minutes away from the City of Flagstaff and an hour from the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park. This getaway can host up to 17 people between the cabin and adjacent bunkhouse. The facility can be accessed by vehicle; Forest Road 74 is not maintained during winter and may be closed during heavy snowfall. The distance from the winter parking area to the cabin is one mile. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities. Please monitor winter road conditions here on the Forest Service's Spring Valley Cabin webpage .
Recreation
With miles upon miles of national forest and park lands to explore, visitors have no shortage of outdoor activities from which to choose. The cabin is adjacent to the Spring Valley Trail System, which provides access to the cabin when the roads are covered in snow. Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are very popular in this area, and there are plenty of trails. Kendrick Mountain Wilderness is nearby and provides several trailheads and entry points into designated wilderness. Visitors might be lucky enough to spot wildlife such as elk, mule deer, wild turkeys, javelina, coyote and numerous birds and raptors that live in the area.
Facilities
The facility is made up of two buildings, and can accomodate ten people at the main cabin and seven in the bunkhouse. The cabin has a living/dining area, a side room with a woodstove, a bedroom, a restroom with flushable toilet and shower, and a kitchen with drinking water and plenty of kitchen supplies (i.e. propane range stove, refridgerator, microwave, and dishes). The cabin can sleep up to ten people and has an arrangement of three bunk beds with twin sized mattresses and two futon couches. Electric/propane heaters are available for use.
The bunkhouse offers three bunkbeds with twin size mattresses and one full-size futon couch, available to sleep up to seven people, and a small woodstove.
Located outside is an enclosure for firewood, picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet.
Guests must bring their own food, bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets and/or sleeping bags), bath and kitchen towels, garbage bags, warm clothing, dish soap, and flashlights, amongst other necessities. Upon check out, the facility must be cleaned, and all food and trash removed prior to departure.
Natural Features
The structures are located at an elevation of 7,320 feet, overlooking a wide meadow and is nestled beneath mature ponderosa pines. The cabin was constructed in 1917 as the residence for rangers who worked at the guard station. The bunkhouse served as the office. It is still occasionally used as a field station for U.S. Forest Service employees.
Winter brings a mix of sun with cold temperatures and occasional winter storms. Summer temperatures are relatively pleasant, but weather can very. Visitors should come prepared for changeable mountain weather, cold nights, thunderstorms and snow from fall through spring.
Nearby Attractions
Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim is a must-see attraction just over an hour away. The nearby town of Williams and the city of Flagstaff have numerous restaurants, hotels, gift shops, grocery stores and cultural attractions.