Kelley Guard Station
Kelley Guard Station is a historic Forest Service guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Located about 45 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, along the Big Springs Scenic Backway, the cabin attracts overnight guests year-round and provides convenient access to hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Big Springs Scenic Backway is a 68-mile road that boasts magnificent mountain views, wildflowers covered meadows and river valleys where grazing sheep may be spotted.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CABIN | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 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
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This rustic two-room cabin sleeps four people on two bunkbeds with mattresses. The kitchen is equipped with a propane stove, refrigerator that is shut off when not in use, propane lights and a small wood stove for heat. A picnic table and campfire ring are located outside the cabin. Guests should bring water for drinking and cooking. Outside vault toilet avalible year round with seasonal water faucet located outside. No linens or bedding are provided. Recommended items to bring include food, bedding, dish soap, dish rags, toilet paper, garbage bags and a flashlight. If wood is available, please only use what you need. Always be prepared to collect locally or bring to site from local resources.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Getting there
From Kemmerer, WY, follow U.S. Highway 189 north to the junction of Wyoming Highway 233 and Ham's Fork Road. Turn left on Ham's Fork Road and drive about 38 miles (the first 19 miles of this road is paved) to Ham's Fork Campground. Just past the campground, take the left fork in the road and cross Ham's Fork River.
| Nearest town | Kemmerer, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 42.2644° N, 110.7989° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Water is not available at this time.
- Some dishes, pots, pans and utensils are provided, however the presence of these items is not guaranteed.
- If firewood is on site, this is a courtesy but is not guarenteed.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Top Outdoor Shop ↗ | 30.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Airstream of Wyoming ↗ | 56 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 6 miContag Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miBig Park Loop ↗15.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.9 miHams Fork Ridge ↗7.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2 miNugent/Dry Fork ↗17.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.5 miThe Switchbacks ↗8.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.6 miHams Fork-Red Park ↗12.1 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The cabin is perched on a grassy space surrounded by a stand of mixed conifers at 8,200 feet in elevation. Kelley Creek flows beside the guard station, offering a serene soundtrack of flowing water. Moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes are among the wildlife likely to be seen. An abundance of wildflowers color the landscape in summer. The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and off-road vehicle riding are popular summer activities in the surrounding area. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing can be done right out the front door in winter.
Guidebooks for Wyoming
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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 Kelley Guard Station?
Sites at Kelley 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 Kelley Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Kelley Guard Station have?
2 sites, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Kelley Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kelley Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Kelley Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Kelley Guard Station?
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and off-road vehicle riding are popular summer activities in the surrounding area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Kelley Guard Station?
Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Source: Getting there
What if Kelley Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hams Fork Campground (3.6 mi, first-come), Hobble Creek Campground (9.3 mi, first-come), and Allred Flat Campground (17.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby