Third Fork Cabin
Third Fork Cabin is a former guard station, first established in 1906 as Station 10 and renamed Third Fork in 1908. A cabin was built at that time, which existed until the site was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. The current cabin's exterior has changed little since that time, with the exception of a metal roof being added sometime before 1984. The cabin is available between mid-April until late-October, and is accessible by car. Many modern comforts are provided at the cabin, but guests may need to bring some additional supplies and gear for their stay.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
This rustic cabin sleeps four people with one double bed and two single beds with mattresses. Other amenities include a propane cook range, table with chairs, hot water heater, indoor flush toilet, shower and propane heater and refrigerator. A picnic table, campfire ring and pedestal grill sit within the fenced yard. A camp host is located at Antelope Campground, 18 miles east in the Sagehen Reservoir area, where firewood can be purchased. While the water at the cabin is potable, guests should bring their own supply of drinking water as a back-up. Bedding, lighting, cookware and utensils are not provided. Guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take Highway 55 north to Horseshoe Bend. Turn left on Highway 52 and drive west 9 miles to the junction at Sweet/Ola Highway (no road number), then take a slight right. Take this road north 17 miles to Ola. Make a slight left and continue north through Ola on Road 618 (Third Fork Road) to the Third Fork Cabin.
| Coordinates | 44.3731° N, 116.3008° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMill Creek Council Mtn Rx
31 mi from the campground · 1,817 acres
- PrescribedGoose Rx
40 mi from the campground · 529 acres
- PrescribedMeadow Marsh Rx
40 mi from the campground · 70 acres
- PrescribedCold Rx
42 mi from the campground · 1,094 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 47.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nelson's RV's ↗ | 50.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Sagehen Reservoir is a popular recreation area about 18 miles east of the cabin, offering numerous trails for off-road vehicles, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.Fishing and boating are permitted in the reservoir, and there is also a picnic area at Sagehen Dam.
- 5.2 miRenwyck Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5.9 miWilson Corrals Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.2 miAntelope Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 6.6 miSage Hen Creek Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
Public land it sits in
Boise National Forest begins about 5.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.2 miBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (Sitpa) BuildingsHistoric district · Smiths Ferry · 11.6 mi
- North Fork Payette River BridgeStructure · Smiths Ferry · 12.4 mi
- Ola SchoolBuilding · Ola · 13.6 mi
Natural features
Third Fork Cabin sits in a steep mountain landscape heavily forested with old-growth Ponderosa pine at an approximate elevation of 4,700 feet. Tall grasses and various hardwoods grow on the site. Small mountain streams containing native fish flow nearby, and the area is marked by unusual juxtapositions of basalt and granitic rock. Wildlife watchers may spot elk or deer wandering through the area during dawn or dusk, as well as glimpse a bear or moose. Birders can look for a wide variety of bird species.
Recreation
Anglers can fish in adjacent Squaw Creek, and big game hunting is also a popular pastime.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Third Fork Cabin?
Sites at Third Fork Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Third Fork Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Third Fork Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Third Fork Cabin?
Other amenities include a propane cook range, table with chairs, hot water heater, indoor flush toilet, shower and propane heater and refrigerator.
Source: Recreation.gov
What if Third Fork Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cartwright Ridge Campground (6 mi, first-come), Shady Pines Campground (6.1 mi, partly first-come), and Antelope (6.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby