Zigzag Ranger Station, Forest Service ranger station in Clackamas County, Oregon, US

Zigzag Ranger Station is a forest administration complex with about twenty rustic buildings scattered across a large forested property within Mount Hood National Forest. The structures sit among dense Douglas fir forests and serve as the working headquarters for forest management operations.

The Forest Service established Oregon National Forest around Mount Hood in 1908 and built the first structure at Zigzag in 1917, adding several more in the 1920s. In 1924 the forest was redesignated Mount Hood National Forest, including the Zigzag district. Between 1933 and 1942 Civilian Conservation Corps crews from nearby Camp Zigzag built nine buildings in the Cascadian rustic style, and the station has served as district headquarters since it was built.

The buildings showcase Forest Service rustic design using local materials that blend with the surrounding Douglas fir forest. Visitors can see how this construction style reflects a philosophy of working in harmony with the natural landscape.

The grounds are expansive and require time to explore the various buildings, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The site functions as an administrative center, so visitors should check operating hours when seeking information or services.

The Civilian Conservation Corps also built a random-course stone masonry wall at the station, counted as a historically important structure alongside the nineteen historic buildings. Many gables and shutters carry the open pine tree logo typical of 1930s Forest Service construction.