Johnson Creek Guard Station
Johnson Creek Guard Station was built in 1922 and offers a charming mountain respite with modern conveniences. The cabin offers nearly everything needed for a pleasant and comfortable stay. Peak season for the cabin is typically early June through late September. It can be accessed by most vehicles via dirt and gravel roads, but trailers are not recommended.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Power | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | 30 amp | 4 / – | Yes |
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 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The rustic cabin has two twin beds with mattresses in the loft, as well as two cots, a couch and a heater. A full size bed is in separate bedroom. The kitchen is equipped with a table and four chairs, an electric range and a refrigerator. Cookware and utensils are provided, including saucepans, pots and lids, plates, bowls, cups, mugs, utensils, knives, a cutting board, salad bowl and cookie sheet. A modern bathroom with a flush toilet and shower is available. Two picnic tables, a campfire ring and two grills are located outside behind the cabin. Guests must bring garbage bags to pack out their own trash. Bedding, lanterns or flashlights, towels and emergency drinking water are not provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations and fees can be found at Johnson Creek Guard Station cabin on rec.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Guests must bring the combination to the lock and directions to the cabin obtained from the Cascade Ranger District by calling 208-382-7400. The cabin is pack-it-in/pack-it-out. The campfire ring can be used, but no large bonfires please. Tents, RVs and motor homes are not allowed at this site. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Cascade, ID, head north on ID-55/Main Street toward McCall, ID. Turn right/east on FH-22/Warm Lake Road. Stay on this road for about 35 miles. Turn left/north on Road 413/Johnson Creek Road. Stay on this road for about 22 miles. The cabin sits on the right/east side of the road. Look for the Forest Service sign.
| Nearest town | Cascade, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.9281° N, 115.4775° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMeadow Marsh Rx
29 mi from the campground · 70 acres
- PrescribedGoose Rx
35 mi from the campground · 529 acres
- PrescribedMill Creek Council Mtn Rx
41 mi from the campground · 1,817 acres
- PrescribedBrush Rx
46 mi from the campground · 150 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Worth a stop
The tiny community of Yellow Pine is a few miles north of the cabin and offers limited services. The popular Yellow Pine Music & Harmonica Festival is held annually in August.
- 2.7 mi
- 7.5 mi
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miJohnson Creek ↗30.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile and 2 more
- 2.7 miRiordan Lake ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.7 miHorse Heaven Meadow3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.9 miQuartz Creek ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.2 miParks Peak ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.6 miBear - Riordan ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.7 miHennessey Meadows / Riordan Trailhead ↗Boise National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which overlaps Payette National Forest.
- inFrank Church-River of No Return Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 2,358,886 acres
- inPayette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,407,306 acres
- 3.3 miSalmon-Challis National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,396,382 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
Natural features
Johnson Creek sits in a pretty mountain meadow a stone's throw from scenic Johnson Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Salmon River. Mountain slopes covered in dense pine forest surround the cabin. Wildlife watchers may see deer, elk, bear and moose. Bald eagles are often spotted soaring overhead.
Recreation
The cabin is near several trailheads into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. These non-motorized trails are popular for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Off-road vehicle trails are also nearby. The South Fork Salmon River and Johnson Creek offer opportunities for fishing. Berry picking and hunting are popular pastimes in season.
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 Johnson Creek Guard Station?
Sites at Johnson Creek Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations and fees can be found at Johnson Creek Guard Station cabin on rec.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Johnson Creek Guard Station?
Guests must bring the combination to the lock and directions to the cabin obtained from the Cascade Ranger District by calling 208-382-7400. The cabin is pack-it-in/pack-it-out. The campfire ring can be used, but no large bonfires please.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Johnson Creek Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Johnson Creek Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Johnson Creek Guard Station have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Johnson Creek Guard Station?
A modern bathroom with a flush toilet and shower is available.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Johnson Creek Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Johnson Creek Guard Station?
The cabin is near several trailheads into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Johnson Creek Guard Station?
Cascade, Idaho. The tiny community of Yellow Pine is a few miles north of the cabin and offers limited services.
Source: Getting there
What if Johnson Creek Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Golden Gate Campground (0.6 mi), Yellow Pine Campground (2 mi), and Ice Hole Campground (2.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby