Off-roaders find bliss at Uncle Tom's Cabin, a relic of the past | Bartell's Backroads

Off-roaders find bliss at Uncle Tom's Cabin, a relic of the past | Bartell's Backroads

When you need to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s a rugged hideaway where the Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests meet — a place where you can truly unplug. 

That place is Uncle Tom’s Cabin, one of the most remote and historic bars in Northern California. Located at the edge of El Dorado County, deep in the wilderness, this off-the-grid retreat has been a haven for adventurers and off-road enthusiasts for over 160 years.

“There’s just no place like this,” said Rance MacFarland, one of the volunteer caretakers of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 

The nearest town with electricity is about 17 miles from this rustic outpost. This secluded cabin operates in its own world, offering visitors a chance to experience history firsthand. 

Little is known about Tom Markham beyond his reputation as a skilled hide processor. Fellow trappers would bring their furs to him for processing and over time, travelers — miners, loggers, and ranchers — began stopping at his homestead for supplies and rest. Affectionately, they started calling him Uncle Tom and the name stuck.

Markham eventually disappeared from history but in the 1920s, the Lawyer family, a prominent cattle ranching family, purchased the property. They transformed it into a rest stop for early automobile travelers in need of gas, or something a little stronger.

Today, Uncle Tom’s Cabin remains in the hands of the Lawyer family, continuing its legacy as an off-roaders’ haven. The bar itself is a relic of the past, filled with odd and eclectic memorabilia collected over the years. The atmosphere is lively, especially during off-road events, where the walls — if they could talk — would have countless wild stories to share.

If you’ve had too much fun, or too much to drink, you can rent one of the rustic cabins on-site. Just be warned, these are very rustic cabins. 

“People usually just bring their sleeping bags to put on top of the beds,” MacFarland said with a chuckle. 

Don’t expect maid service or modern luxuries. Even the outhouse, a two-seater, keeps the rustic charm alive.

One of the most striking features of Uncle Tom’s Cabin is its ceiling covered in dollar bills. MacFarland says it's an old tradition.

“The loggers back in the day when they used to come over here, they would put their initial, their mark on it and use it as a bank to where they could come back and use it," he said.

While the bar now accepts credit cards, this quirky tradition remains a nod to its colorful past.

Getting to Uncle Tom’s Cabin isn’t easy — it’s off the beaten path, requiring some determination and possibly a four-wheel-drive vehicle. But for those who make the trek, the rewards are worth it. This place embodies the rugged spirit of the Sierra Nevada, welcoming adventurers, weary travelers and anyone seeking a taste of history in the wild.

ANOTHER HARD TO GET TO PLACE ON THE BACKROADS:  Take a ride on the road that literally will take your breath away.