Caribou Mountain Guard Station
Caribou Mountain and the National Forest are named after a man known as "Cariboo Jack," who discovered gold in this area in 1870. He was an adventurous man who became a local legend. Today, the guard station on Caribou Mountain is a haven for adventurers who enjoy a variety of recreational activities. The guard station can be accessed by car during the warmer months, but only snowmobiles or skis can be used in winter. Guests should be prepared to make the 6-mile trek with all the gear and supplies they need to make their stay comfortable.
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 | Full | 15 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
The cabin can accommodate a maximum of 15 guests. One sleeping room is available with a total of six single beds. Guests must bring their own bedding and sleeping pads. A propane cook stove, propane lights and space heater are available, in addition to a supply of propane. A dining area includes a table and chairs. Only a few dishes and cups are provided. A vault toilet and picnic table are located outside. Guests are required to bring their own water, as well as garbage bags to pack out their trash. Bedding, dish soap, cooking pots, kitchen utensils and emergency items like a first aid kit are not available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Soda Springs, take Highway 34 north approximately 33 miles. Turn left on to Greys Lake Road. Drive north about 11.5 miles on Greys Lake Road and turn right onto McCoy Creek Road (Forest Road 087). Follow McCoy Creek Road (Forest Road 087) for 6.5 miles to the guard station. Maps are available upon request at the district office.
| Nearest town | Montpelier, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43.1503° N, 111.3200° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Drinking water is not provided.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountainist ↗ | 15 mi |
| RV sales & service | Airstream of Wyoming ↗ | 16.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.7 miWolverine Ck-Little Elk Mtn ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miClear Creek Caribou Basin2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miMcCoy-Pole Trail4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.7 miPole Creek2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miWashout0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.6 miNorth Fork Eagle Creek3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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 Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
- inCaribou-Targhee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,077,758 acres
- 4.6 miGrays Lake National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 20,125 acres
- 10.5 miBridger-Teton National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,466,359 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
Natural features
Caribou Mountain is the second highest peak in southeastern Idaho, with an elevation of 9,803 feet, and the tallest mountain in the Caribou Range. The marshes of Grays Lake spread out below the summit at an elevation of 6,386 feet. The guard station sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet and is tucked into a stand of mixed conifers at the edge of a meadow. Wildlife in the area include black bear, wolf, elk, moose, mule deer, bison, grizzly bears, mountain lion and pronghorn ( bear safety tips ).
Recreation
Guests at Caribou Mountain Guard Station can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Off-road vehicle trails include the Caribou Mountain ATV Trail and the Caribou Mountain Mine Trail.
Nearby
Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a popular place for bird watching. Sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and trumpeter swans are the main attractions, but the refuge is home to many bird species. Areas of the refuge are open for hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
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 Caribou Mountain Guard Station?
Sites at Caribou Mountain 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 Caribou Mountain Guard Station?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Caribou Mountain Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Caribou Mountain Guard Station?
Guests at Caribou Mountain Guard Station can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Caribou Mountain Guard Station?
Montpelier, Idaho. Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a popular place for bird watching.
Source: Getting there
What if Caribou Mountain Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mccoy Creek Campground (11.3 mi, first-come), Blowout Campground (12.5 mi, first-come), and Cutthroat Trout Campground (13.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby