In 1928, three innovative men, Nobe Harrison, Les Wright and Earl Nichols built three cabins on the east shore of Simpson Lake, with the intention of creating a fishing camp. It took a tremendous amount of skill, effort and perseverance to construct these log cabins in the remote backcountry of the Wind River Mountains. Logs and stones from the surrounding area were used in constructing the foundation, fireplace, walls and floors. The cook stove, milled lumber and windows were rafted across Moon Lake, then hauled the remainder of the way by horse-drawn travois. Cement and other supplies were brought to the site by pack horses. The men used whip saws, bucks, broad axes and other primitive tools to work the raw materials.

The men named the camp “Three Waters Fishing & Hunting Lodge”, but experienced difficulty attracting clients. So, in 1930 they sold the cabins to Charlie Moore, founder of the CM Ranch. The cabins were owned, maintained and used by the dude ranch as part of the guest operations of Charlie and Marion Moore. The ranch was sold to Les and Alice Shoemaker in 1952, and the CM Ranch continued to take guests to the Simpson Lake Cabins until 1997. The Simpson Lake Cabins and CM Ranch were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Simpson Lake Lodge is in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and is owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service on behalf of the American people.