Copper Basin Guard Station
Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 40 | Gravel | 8 / 3 | Yes | Preferred |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Copper Basin Guard Station is a 900 square foot, two bedroom log cabin that can sleep up to six adults comfortably, with room for eight people total. The cabin comes furnished with one queen bed with mattress, two full sized bunk beds with mattresses, and a queen sized sleeper couch in the living room. Other amenities include a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, propane furnace, propane lights, wood stove, table with benches and chairs, table settings for eight, kitchen tools and cleaning supplies. The bathroom has hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, and a shower. The Copper Basin Guard Station has no electricity, phone service, cell coverage, or internet service. All appliances are powered by propane. Guests need to bring their own food, toiletries, towels, bedding and trash bags. There is no smoking, no candles, and no garbage service. No pets allowed in the cabin. Campfires are allowed only in the metal fire ring that is provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 miles and take a left on the Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 miles on the Trail Creek Road. This road starts as paved and turns to gravel at approximately 12 miles.
| Nearest town | Mackay, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43.8092° N, 113.8431° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBartlett Creek Rx
19 mi from the campground · 2,000 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miCopper Basin Loop Rd Fr-138 ↗17.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1 miBurma Road - Fr 142 ↗10.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.4 miStarhope Creek Camping #20.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.5 miStarhope Creek Camping #30.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.6 miStarhope Creek Camping #10.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.8 miStarhope Creek Camping #40.1 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
Sawtooth National Forest begins about 11.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 11.6 miSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 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
On the National Register nearby
- Mackay Episcopal ChurchBuilding · Mackay · 13.4 mi
- Mackay Methodist Episcopal ChurchBuilding · Mackay · 13.6 mi
Natural features
Copper Basin is a remote mountain valley with beautiful views, wide open spaces, and mountains in every direction. The Basin is surrounded by both the Pioneer and White Knob mountain ranges, with elevations between 7,500' - 8,000'. Copper Basin has abundant wildlife, numerous streams, and stunning mountain peaks.
Recreation
Copper Basin offers many recreational opportunities. These include stream and lake fishing, day hikes to high mountain lakes, mountain bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, camping, photography, hunting, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, birding, viewing wildlife, and driving for pleasure.
Nearby
Nearby attractions include fishing in the East Fork of the Big Lost River, OHV riding on the Lake Creek Trail, hiking on the Bellas Trail, and horseback riding on the Broad Canyon Trail.
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 Copper Basin Guard Station?
Sites at Copper Basin 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 Copper Basin Guard Station?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Copper Basin Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Copper Basin Guard Station?
The longest site here provides 35 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 Copper Basin Guard Station?
The bathroom has hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, and a shower.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Copper Basin Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Copper Basin Guard Station?
Copper Basin offers many recreational opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Copper Basin Guard Station?
Mackay, Idaho. Nearby attractions include fishing in the East Fork of the Big Lost River, OHV riding on the Lake Creek Trail, hiking on the Bellas Trail, and horseback riding on the Broad Canyon Trail.
Source: Getting there
What if Copper Basin Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground (4.1 mi, first-come), Star Hope Campground (6.6 mi, first-come), and Iron Bog Campground (11.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby