Bassam Guard Station
Bassam Guard Station was built in 1911 as one of a network of remote stations to be used by the first forest rangers and guards to monitor grazing sheep and cattle, manage timber harvesting, apprehended poachers, and report fire, road and weather conditions on National Forest lands. This cabin provides visitors with access to many recreation opportunities in the remote back country.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 660 | Partial | 8 / 3 | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | 5 miles from Browns Canyon National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
The 14 x 16 cabin includes a full-sized bed, dresser, a small table with two chairs, a two-burner propane stove for cooking, and a wood-burning stove for heat. A metal campfire ring and picnic table are onsite. The cabin sleeps two adults, and an additional six adults may camp outside in tents or a camper. The bunkhouse and barn are off-limits to the public. Horses may be picketed or corralled outside of the fenced area by the entrance of the cabin site. Portable corrals are permitted, but must be moved every few days to prevent damage to vegetation and soil. Water is available at a hand pump, but guests are advised to bring extra drinking water. Limited cooking and dining utensils are provided. Guests should also bring food, matches, toilet paper, flashlights, bedding, garbage bags, and an ax for chopping firewood. Dead and downed wood may be collected and used in campfires and in the wood-burning stove.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Salida travel north on Highway 285 to the junction with Highways 24/285 near Johnson's Village. Turn right onto Hwys 24/285, passing through Johnson's Village. Stay on this highway for 5 miles, then watch for a sign on the left for County Road 307 (next to private property with railroad items on display).
| Nearest town | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.7467° N, 105.9433° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
34 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- WildfireWillow
43 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Trailhead ↗ | 12 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 17.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 2 miHefley Saddle2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
Browns Canyon National Monument begins about 1.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.7 miBrowns Canyon National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 21,709 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
On the National Register nearby
- Gas Creek SchoolBuilding · Nathrop · 7.9 mi
- Bridge over Arkansas RiverStructure · Buena Vista · 9.8 mi
- Maxwell Park SchoolBuilding · Buena Vista · 11.5 mi
Natural features
The cabin sits in a stand of Aspens at an approximate elevation of 9,700 feet, south of Bassam Ridge. The cabin is within the Salida Ranger District, spanning 440,000 acres of public lands in central Colorado. The Arkansas River valley is known locally as the "Banana Belt of Colorado" because of the generally mild temperatures and sunny days. Springtime can be deceptive with sporadic spring snowstorms occurring from March to May. During the summer months, days are warm with cool nights. Afternoon thundershowers are common during July and August. The fall months are generally dry and sunny with cooler morning temperatures.
Recreation
Visitors may wish to take a day trip to the Arkansas River for kayaking, whitewater rafting or fishing. There are many recreational activities on the Salida Ranger District including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and OHV riding on designated forest roads and trails. Or take a trip to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo. An old saloon, county courthouse and many other historic structures remain from the days of its mining glory. The City of Salida and Town of Buena Vista offer visitor’s unique restaurants, shops, and art galleries to enjoy.
Nearby
The cabin is located near the eastern boundary of Browns Canyon National Monument. Explore the monument from the Bassam Park area on foot or mountain bike (trail 1435). Or, for those with high clearance vehicles, take a scenic drive along Aspen Ridge Road (road 185). Note that much of the monument's western side is being managed as a wilderness study area, so motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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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 Bassam Guard Station?
Sites at Bassam Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bassam Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bassam Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Bassam Guard Station?
Bassam Guard Station is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bassam Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bassam Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bassam Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is Bassam Guard Station good for stargazing?
Browns Canyon National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 5 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Bassam Guard Station?
Visitors may wish to take a day trip to the Arkansas River for kayaking, whitewater rafting or fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bassam Guard Station?
Salida, Colorado. The cabin is located near the eastern boundary of Browns Canyon National Monument.
Source: Getting there
What if Bassam Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bootleg (13.8 mi, first-come), Mount Princeton (15.2 mi, partly first-come), and Chalk Lake (15.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby