Jones Corral Guard Station

We really enjoyed our trip to this cabin. The outhouse was very clean. We would have rated it 5 stars if it would have been stocked with firewood. Expecting it to be stocked, we did not bring tools to cut our own. The propane heater in the cabin did not work either and it was cold in September, so we resorted to driving around, picking up wood pieces that would fit in the wood stove.

Make sure to take a few AAA batteries for the lights. Very rustic cabin.

Never saw another person as soon as we left Antimony, until we returned. 😁

The good: Would certainly stay again! One of the top ten cabins/lookouts we’ve stayed in out of 40. Nice improvements in past few years with new porch, much larger propane tank & nice new vault toilet. Single room cabin with 2 sets bunk beds without ladders, small table with 4 chairs, futon, propane stove/oven, sink that drains, small wood heater and porch with chairs. Standard wall storage unit with pull down table. No running water. There is a USDA weather station next to the cabin that you can check at https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=1099 but we found the temperature was 10-15 degrees off. Also, as it’s in the trees the snow amount does not correlate with nearby snow free open fields and roads. Good wind picks up about 10 AM until dusk so bring a kite. We have Verizon & got 1 bar at times but if you drive about 3/4 miles west to the cliff we got 2 Bar 4G service. Also a GREAT view from there of Circleville and Junction. Nice picnic table with fire pit along with a couple of extra tables. Cows at times to entertain but a couple of cowboys took the herds away in prep for winter while there. Please bring notebook as there were no journals. The Bad: It was hunting season so more traffic than usual. A surprising number of people came to the gate, saw we were there then left which leads us to the next comment. There is a digital lock on the front door but no latch to place your own lock on the cabin door while you are gone. Previous renters have the lock combination, so don’t leave valuables in the cabin while away. If we weren’t there we’re sure some visitors would have looked around. No kitchen items such as pots, pans, plates or glasses supplied compared to other cabins. Notice posted that the price may be going to $45 night. Very long rough 12 miles drive from Antimony but helps privacy. Wood was there but very few pieces cut to fit the wood stove. No ax, maul or fire poker supplied. They have greatly reduced the dates you can rent.

What is the price for solitude? 13 miles of bad road. I say it is worth it. We didn't see anyone for 3 days but did see deer, elk, eagles, turkeys, millions of stars and cows, of course. The enclosure keeps the cows away which was nice. Even though there is a bit of standing water with the spring, there weren't that many bugs. Be sure to walk to the overlook. It is beautiful and there is a lone, huge, bristlecone pine at the end of the road. I was really surprised to see it. The cabin is really nice and we had plenty of room for the group. We had someone joining us that pulled a 19ft, single axel trailer to the site. It took them 1 hr and 45 min from the turn off but they made it. We did our cooking in the trailer so I can't comment on the stove. You have to bring your own water. There is a horseshoe pit that was fun. I highly recommend this site just be prepared for the last 9 miles to be really rough getting there.

I absolutely LOVE Jones Corral! Probably my favorite ranger station. It's very secluded and quiet and the cabin is in excellent shape. It is a very rough 12 mile road into the cabin, and so worth it. We bought four bundles of wood and wish we would have brought more. Since it's such a drive in, I would recommend to the next visitors to bring more if possible. Absolutely loved my second time here - can't wait to come back! Also found the Jones Corral trail and it was stunning.!