Stump Creek Guard Station
Stump Creek Guard Station is located along what was once the Lander Cutoff for the Oregon Trail. Visitors can trace the path that covered wagons traveled on over 150 years ago on their way to the Pacific Northwest. Wagon ruts are still carved into the soil. The guard station is accessible by car during warmer months, but guests should be prepared to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile more than a mile to reach he cabin in winter. Guest will need to bring much of their own supplies and gear to ensure a comfortable 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 | 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 people. One large sleeping room is available with a total of two bunk beds. Please bring your own sleeping pads. The kitchen has a gas stove for cooking, a few dishes and cups and a table with chairs. A propane heater and propane lanterns are provided, and propane is available. A vault toilet is on-site. Water and electricity are not available at the cabin. Guests must provide their own drinking water, as well as garbage bags for parking out trash. Bedding, towels, dish soap and emergency supplies like flashlights and a first aid kit are not provided. Guests should be prepared to shovel snow in the winter to access the cabin and outhouse. Pets are not allowed inside the guard station. Pets must be on a leash at all times when on the guard station site. Clean up all pet waste before checking out of the facility
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Afton, Wyoming, travel 4 miles north on Highway 89 to the town of Grover. At Grover, turn west and travel 3 miles to Auburn. Then go south 1/2 mile to Road 110, then west 4 miles to Road 109 for 2 miles. This will put you at the guard station. Maps are available upon request at the district office.
| Nearest town | Montpelier, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 42.7942° N, 111.0800° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Twin Peaks Outfitters ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Airstream of Wyoming ↗ | 18.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Auburn, Wyoming is the nearest town for groceries and supplies.
- 4.2 miLander Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miHorse Creek ↗8.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.1 miCow Creek ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miWebster Creek ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miWest Fork Toms Canyon3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miToms Canyon1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.1 miWhite Canyon Spur0.2 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
Bridger-Teton National Forest begins about 8.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.6 miBridger-Teton National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,466,359 acres
- 11.7 miCaribou-Targhee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,077,758 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
- Rock ChurchBuilding · Auburn · 4 mi
Natural features
The guard station is situated at an elevation of 6,500 feet in a scenic mountain valley dotted with mixed-growth pines. The dwelling sits in an open, grassy area surrounded by sagebrush. Thickets of willow line meandering Stump Creek, which flows adjacent to the cabin. Wildlife in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest includes black bear, wolf, elk, moose, mule deer, bison, grizzly bear, mountain lion and pronghorn ( bear safety tips ).
Recreation
Hikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and mountain bikers have access to the Stump Creek/Lander Trail, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Off-road vehicle trails are nearby ( Idaho OHV safety message ). Anglers can fish in Stump Creek. Hunting for game and game birds is also a popular pastime in the area.
Guidebooks for Idaho
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Stump Creek Guard Station?
Sites at Stump Creek 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 Stump Creek Guard Station?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Stump Creek Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Stump Creek Guard Station?
Hikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and mountain bikers have access to the Stump Creek/Lander Trail, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Stump Creek Guard Station?
Montpelier, Idaho. Auburn, Wyoming is the nearest town for groceries and supplies.
Source: Getting there
What if Stump Creek Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Swift Creek Campground (10 mi, first-come), Pine Bar Campground (14 mi, first-come), and Cottonwood Group Campsite (17 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby