Park Warden's Cabin

The Park Ranger's Cabin in Petkeljärvi National Park dates back to 1960. The logs for building the cabin, sauna, and outbuilding were obtained from a road line that ran past the current cabin buildings to the park's beautiful Petraniemi.

In 1961, Veikko Kurki, who was from nearby Oinassalmi, was chosen as the first park ranger. His wife also moved into the cabin. The yard was fenced so that hikers on the adjacent trail would not pass through it. There was also a small vegetable garden in the yard area.

The park ranger's duties included supervising fishing and making fires, and curbing poaching. Park Ranger Kurki also received his share of the area's nascent tourism income. A souvenir kiosk was planned for him by the roadside, where he sold birch bark horns he made himself, postcards, and fish he caught from Petkeljärvi's clear waters to tourists as souvenirs.

Veikko Kurki retired in 1972. His successor, Yrjö Vilokkinen, and his family only lived in the cabin until 1974. At that time, the position of park ranger was abolished for economic reasons.

The cabin and its yard were restored to almost their original state in 2004. The Park Ranger's Cabin is rented out for accommodation.