Cabin rental · U.S. Forest Service · Payette National Forest · Mccall, ID

Paddy Flat Guard Station

The Paddy Flat Guard Station is located in the Payette National Forest of central Idaho. Guests enjoy the remote area for its hunting opportunities and abundance of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-highway vehicle roads and trails. Abundant streams and numerous alpine lakes within travel distance offer fantastic fishing opportunities.

Cabin rentalReservable · Recreation.gov2 sites40 ft maxPets okFires ok
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Paddy Flat Guard Station West - interiorPaddy Flat Guard Station Cabin East at a medium distance with rustic fence and trees. Barn in the background.Interior of Paddy Flat Guard Station Cabin East - kitchen areaPaddy Flat Cabin West - kitchen
Photos courtesy of USFS, FS · Recreation.gov
4fires
active
Meadow Marsh Rx (prescribed burn) · 13 mi away · 70 acres
3 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Site mix

Cabins with electric2
The 2 cabins here book on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
Cabin EastPull-through34GravelPartialNo / No4 / 3YesYes
Cabin WestPull-throughGravelPartialYes / –4 / 3Yes

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 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

Max vehicle length40 ft
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite Cabin East is listed accessible
  • Two cabins are available for rental at this guard station. Please be respectful of visitors at the adjacent cabin. The cabins were fully renovated in 2024.
  • Limited kitchen utensils such as dished and silverware are provided, but please bring your own so you have what you need.
  • The Guard Station is a "Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out" facility. All garbage/trash must leave with you. Please clean up after use.
  • Pets are allowed, however please be sure to clean up after and maintain control of your animal.
  • Administrative buildings on site are not available for use.
  • Firewood gathering is available in the forest areas surrounding the Paddy Flat Guard Station, although none is provided on site. Do not bring firewood that is not local to the area. Don't Move Firewood! Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our National Forests by obtaining firewood in proximity to your destination and burning it on-site.
  • No camping at the guard station. If camping is desired, Kennally Creek Campground, and a number of dispersed campsites are nearby.
  • Cabin East
  • The occupancy within the Cabin East is four people. The unit is fully accessible and includes an access ramp off the backdoor. The bathroom has a wheel-chair accessible shower stall, toilet and sink.
  • A second rental cabin is located at this Guard Station. Please be respectful to other parties using that facility.
  • Parking: Parking for this unit, is directly behind the cabin, with space for three vehicles.
  • EAST UNIT ONLY: Up to four head of pack and saddle stock are permitted at this site. Parking is adequate for one four-horse stock trailer. All stock feed must be certified weed free and provided by tenants. Use of the Barn is not allowed.
  • Update for 2026: Stock must remain contained within the provided corral or pasture. No pickets or high lines are permitted outside the corral or pasture. However, we recommend supplemental electric fencing due to the location and nature of the facilities, which may not be adequate to contain your stock. Questions on bringing your stock? Call the Payette National Forest at 208-634-0700.
  • Cabin West
  • The occupancy within the Cabin West is four people. Sleep quarters are on the second floor and include a queen size bed and twin-size bunk beds. There are two bathrooms at this house. On the first floor, the full bathroom includes a wheel-chair accessible shower stall, toilet and sink. On the second floor, the bathroom includes a tub/shower, toilet and sink.
  • A second rental cabin is located at this Guard Station. Please be respectful to other parties using the adjacent rental cabin.
  • There are stairs leading into the unit. The basement is off limits.
  • This unit does not have a fire pit outside.
  • Parking: Parking for this unit is near the garage to the rear of the property with capacity for three vehicles.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

ForestPayette National Forest
BookingSites are not reservable
FeesNo fee

Payette National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Paddy Flat Guard Station20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 2.46 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.32 inches of precipitationMarch: 2.71 inches of precipitationApril: 2.43 inches of precipitationMay: 2.30 inches of precipitationJune: 2.03 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.58 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.54 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.96 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.60 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.30 inches of precipitationDecember: 2.83 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 22.1°F averageFebruary: 24.9°F averageMarch: 31.5°F averageApril: 38.8°F averageMay: 48.5°F averageJune: 55.3°F averageJuly: 64.1°F averageAugust: 62.9°F averageSeptember: 54.2°F averageOctober: 42.5°F averageNovember: 30.9°F averageDecember: 22.0°F average0 in1 in2 in3 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Mccall AP, 11 miles from the campground at 5,013 feet, station USW00094182 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 23 inches a year.

Getting there

If you are approaching the cabin from the north (McCall), drive approximately 9 miles south on State Highway 55. Paddy Flat Road will be a left turn (east). This is Forest Road #388. Follow road #388 approximately 5 miles to Paddy Flat Summit. At the summit take Forest Road #389, which is a slight turn to the right.

Nearest townMccall, Idaho
Coordinates44.7758° N, 115.9439° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Do not bring firewood that is not local to the area.
  • Use of the Barn is not allowed.

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Meadow Marsh Rx

    13 mi from the campground · 70 acres

  • Prescribed
    Goose Rx

    17 mi from the campground · 529 acres

  • Prescribed
    Mill Creek Council Mtn Rx

    18 mi from the campground · 1,817 acres

  • Prescribed
    Cold Rx

    28 mi from the campground · 1,094 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Explore

Worth a stop

While the Paddy Flat Guard Station is located within some of the most scenic forest areas of Idaho, you may find a desire to visit "civilization" during your visit. If you hanker for a pizza, hot lunch or subway sandwich, the town of Donnelly is just a bit of back-tracking away. While you are there, take some time to explore the historic town of Roseberry or take the ten mile drive to Gold Forks Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in their pools. While McCall is a bit further of a drive north, a walk through downtown is always a fun way to while away the afternoon. Spend some time on the waterfront, take in a local museum, visit Ponderosa State Park, or take a tour through the McCall Fish Hatchery.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 2.2 mi
    Green Mountain
    2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 2.9 mi
    Paddy Flat-Lake Fork Creek ↗
    9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 3.4 mi
    North Fork Kennally Creek ↗
    12.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 3.9 mi
    Foolhen Way ↗
    5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 4.1 mi
    Needles Summit ↗
    5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 4.6 mi
    East Fork Kennally Creek
    3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Payette National Forest.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

This Guard Station sits at an elevation of 5,250 feet and is situated within a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. The Payette National Forest contains some of Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. Located in west-central Idaho, north of Boise, the 2.2 million-acre forest extends 100 miles west to east, from Hells Canyon to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and 70 miles north to south, from the Salmon River to the Weiser River.

Recreation

The Paddy Flat Guard Station serves as an excellent jumping-off point for adventures via horseback, motorcycle, ATV or hiking. Numerous trailheads within a few miles allow access to alpine lakes for fishing, meadows for watching birds and wildlife, as well as peaks ranging as high as 8,681 foot elevation for excellent views of the South Fork of the Salmon River drainage.

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 Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Sites at Paddy Flat Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Sites are not reservable Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

No fee

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Paddy Flat Guard Station have?

2 sites, including 2 cabins with power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

The longest site here provides 40 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

Does Paddy Flat Guard Station have hookups?

Yes, water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

The occupancy within the Cabin East is four people. The unit is fully accessible and includes an access ramp off the backdoor.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Yes, pets are allowed at Paddy Flat Guard Station. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Site Cabin East 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 Paddy Flat Guard Station?

The Paddy Flat Guard Station serves as an excellent jumping-off point for adventures via horseback, motorcycle, ATV or hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Paddy Flat Guard Station?

Mccall, Idaho. While the Paddy Flat Guard Station is located within some of the most scenic forest areas of Idaho, you may find a desire to visit "civilization" during your visit.

Source: Getting there