Warm River Cabin
Warm River Cabin is located less than 20 miles from Ashton, Idaho, at Warm River Springs. An Idaho fish and game hatchery operated here from the 1930s to the 1950s. The cabin was formerly the hatchery manager's house. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. The cabin is open year-round and can be accessed by car in the warmer months. Snowmobiles and cross-country skis are required to access the cabin on a groomed trail from early December through mid-May. The trek from the nearest available parking at Bear Gulch Trailhead to the cabin is 6 miles. Guests should be prepared to bring much of their own gear and supplies 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 | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Riverfront | 12 / 6 | 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
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This charming cabin can accommodate a maximum of 12 people. It offers six sets of bunkbeds with mattresses, a dining area with a table and benches, a wood stove for cooking and for heating, storage cabinets and firewood. There is a new wood stove located in the living room with available seating as well. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located outside the cabin.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ashton ID, travel east-northeast on Highway 47 (also known as the Mesa Fall Scenic Byway) for approximately 15 miles to the intersection of Highway 47 and Forest Road 150. Turn right onto Forest Road 150 and travel approximately 2.5 miles to the intersection of Forest Road 150 and Forest Road 154.
| Nearest town | Ashton, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.2058° N, 111.2514° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 31.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle's Curios ↗ | 32.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The cabin is a short distance from the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. The star attraction of this 29-mile sightseeing drive is Mesa Falls, which is divided into the 114-foot Upper Falls and the 65-foot Lower Falls. This is the only major waterfall in Idaho that isn't used for hydroelectric or irrigation purposes.
- 13.1 miLast Chance Fisherman Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miTrail Canyon ↗10.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 4 more
- 1.7 miCamp Ridge1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miFlat Canyon3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.1 miBear Gulch Railroad Access0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 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
Caribou-Targhee National Forest begins about 7.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.9 miCaribou-Targhee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,077,758 acres
- 12.2 miWinegar Hole Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,662 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
- Big Falls InnBuilding · Island Park · 4 mi
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows HallBuilding · Ashton · 13.8 mi
- Rankin Auto CourtHistoric district · Ashton · 13.9 mi
Natural features
The cabin is named after the adjacent Warm River Springs, which is the source of the Warm River. The dwelling sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet in an open, grassy area flanked by a conifer forest. Moose and bears are sometimes seen in this area
Recreation
Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers can use the nearby trails. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers can find trails within 10 miles Visitors can find an abundance of berries ripe for picking in late summer. The Warm River is excellent for trout fishing and wading. Game and game bird hunting is available in season.
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 Warm River Cabin?
Sites at Warm River 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 Warm River Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Warm River Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Warm River Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Warm River Cabin?
FCC coverage maps show T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Warm River Cabin?
Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers can use the nearby trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Warm River Cabin?
Ashton, Idaho. The cabin is a short distance from the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Source: Getting there
What if Warm River Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grandview Campground (Idaho) (3.8 mi), Warm River (6.7 mi), and Riverside (11.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby




