Upper Crossing Guard Station
Upper Crossing Guard Station is located at an elevation of 8,400 feet, along a scenic byway near the Continental Divide, offering visitors a comfortable lodging experience in a remote setting in Rio Grande National Forest. This guard station is the original headquarters of the old Cochetopa National Forest that existed for only a few years during the early part of the last century. Today, guests to the guard station will find plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation in south central Colorado.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCGS01 | Partial | 9 / 5 | Yes | 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 |
| Accessibility | Site UCGS01 is listed accessible |
Upper Crossing Guard Station has all the amenities of a standard home, including electricity, heat and inside running water. It is furnished with three bunk beds, with twin beds on the top and fold-out full beds on the bottom, accommodating up to nine people. The cabin has electric lights, propane heater and wood burning stove. The living area has a table and chairs, couch and other furniture. The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, stove, hot water, some cooking utensils and some pots and pans. A picnic table, campfire grill and horseshoe pit are also on-site. Although the cabin has most amenities, guests do need to provide their own food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. It is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Access to the cabin is only allowed via the route described in this section. The road that leads to the south of the Guard Station gate crosses private property and is not open for public access to Highway 114. From Saguache, take Highway 114 west for approximately 22 miles. The turnoff for the Guard Station is 1 mile past County Road NN14.
| Nearest town | Saguache, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.1389° N, 106.4561° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 32.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Rocky Mountain Mercantile ↗ | 37.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 39.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 12.5 miStorm King Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 12.9 miMiddle Creek Trailhead #768 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.4 miLuder'S Creek3.5 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.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Rio Grande National Forest.
- inRio Grande National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,937,280 acres
- 14.6 miLa Garita Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 126,480 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
- St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal (AME) ChurchBuilding · Pueblo · 11.5 mi
Natural features
Upper Crossing Guard Station provides a remote setting that is easily accessible year-round via CO Highway 114. The brief dirt road leading to the cabin is actually the old stagecoach route, complete with historic graffiti that served as billboards advertising goods and services at the stagecoach stops. Views from the cabin include portions of the Continental Divide and unspoiled surrounding countryside, showcasing high mountain peaks, diverse forests, streams and lakes in addition to some of Colorado's most scenic working ranches. Historically, Ute Indians traveled through this area and found it favorable for living in the San Luis Valley.
Recreation
The area offers many opportunities for hiking in summer, hunting in the fall and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The cabin sits at the confluence of two creeks and offers visitors excellent fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brown and brook trout right out the front door. Hiking opportunities are in close proximity to the cabin, extending out to nearby wilderness and other public lands.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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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 Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Sites at Upper Crossing 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 Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Upper Crossing Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Crossing Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Site UCGS01 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Upper Crossing Guard Station?
The area offers many opportunities for hiking in summer, hunting in the fall and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Crossing Guard Station?
Saguache, Colorado.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Crossing Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Buffalo Pass Campground (4.6 mi, first-come), Luders Creek Campground (7.4 mi, first-come), and Storm King Campground (12.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby