Pebble Guard Station
Pebble Guard Station is located at the base of Bonneville Peak along beautiful Pebble Creek, a tributary of the Portneuf River. The rustic one-room cabin offers a secluded retreat on four fenced acres, surrounded by high mountain vistas. The original Pebble Guard Station was built in 1908. The current structure stands at a higher altitude and was built in 1933. Guests can drive to Pebble Guard Station during warmer months, but it can only be accessed by snowmobile or other snow means in the winter. Those arriving in winter should expect to haul their gear and supplies for about 6 miles on a groomed trail.
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 | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Gravel | 15 / 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
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Pebble Guard Station can accommodate up to six people on the two bunkbeds and folding cots provided. Cabin amenities include a mudroom with a sink, countertop, and seasonal shower facilities. The main room serves as the kitchen and sleeping room with two bunk beds with mattresses, a wood stove, table with chairs, folding cots, a broom and dustpan, and stove/oven. Propane appliances include lights, stove/oven, and water heater. Guests should come prepared with their own firewood to heat the cabin with the wood stove. Water is only availble during the summer season. A single vault toilet, campfire ring, grill, lantern post, and picnic table are located outside. The parking area can accommodate up to 3 RVs. The main access road, Pebble Road, FS #036, is closed after November 15 every year and guests will have to walk, bike, ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile in approximately 6 miles on a groomed trail to the cabin. Winter guests need to bring their own water.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Pebble Guard Station is located about 16 miles north of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Just east of Lava Hot Springs, look for the "Pebble Area" sign and turn left (north) onto Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30. Go north on the paved highway for 9 miles to Pebble Creek Road (known locally as Mike's Place or Whiskey Mike's).
| Nearest town | Pocatello, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 42.7644° N, 112.0886° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Winter guests should call the Westside Ranger District to check snow conditions before reserving this cabin from November through May.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Pocatello's public and free dump station and drinking water ↗ | 17.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pocatello Running Company ↗ | 19.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 49.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Lava Hot Springs makes a fun day trip from the cabin. Visitors can enjoy a natural hot springs soaking pool, Olympic-sized swimming pool, waterslides and diving platforms. Two 9-hole disc golf courses are linked around the Lava Hot Springs pool complex. Tubing on the Portneuf River is also a very popular activity. Tube rentals are available throughout town.
- 14.5 miScout Mountain Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miRobbers Roost ↗5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.3 miBoundary Trail ↗27.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.3 miNorth Boundary Trail ↗7.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.1 miBig Canyon Haystack Connector3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miBoundary Trail Connector0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.3 miNorth Pebble-Wood Rd Connector1.6 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- H. O. Harkness Stable BuildingBuilding · McCammon · 9.2 mi
- McCammon State Bank BuildingBuilding · McCammon · 9.3 mi
- L.D.S. Ward BuildingBuilding · Lava Hot Springs · 10.8 mi
Natural features
The cabin is located at 6,320 feet on the open foothills of Pebble Basin, which offers expansive views into the high country of Bonneville Peak. This peak is the highest of the Portneuf Range, and the mountains of this range are covered with pine forest and green vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabits this area, including mule deer, elk, cougars, coyote and black bears ( bear safety tips ).
Recreation
Guests at Pebble Guard Station will find opportunities for recreation year-round. Hunting is a popular pastime, and a nearby beaver pond provides good fishing and wading. Trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles are nearby ( Idaho OHV safety message ). In winter, the area turns into a snowmobiling playground.
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 Pebble Guard Station?
Sites at Pebble 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 Pebble Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Pebble Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Pebble Guard Station?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Pebble Guard Station?
Cabin amenities include a mudroom with a sink, countertop, and seasonal shower facilities.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Pebble Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pebble Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pebble Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Pebble Guard Station?
Guests at Pebble Guard Station will find opportunities for recreation year-round. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pebble Guard Station?
Pocatello, Idaho. Lava Hot Springs makes a fun day trip from the cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Pebble Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Springs - Caribou (0.3 mi, partly first-come), Goodenough Creek Campground (12.6 mi, first-come), and Scout Mountain Campground (14.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby