Jackson Guard Station

$75.00/night

2505 South Townsend Avenue
Montrose, CO 81401

Overview

Jackson Guard Station is a great destination for anything from a weekend getaway to a week-long hunting trip. The cabin was originally used as a guard station that housed Forest Service work crews. The cabin's access road is remarkably scenic, making for an impressive arrival.

In summer months, the cabin sets the stage for a wide array of activities. Recreation ranges from thrilling off-road vehicle riding to amazing scenery viewsing,hiking,and rewarding fishing.

Winter access is by snowmobile, cross country skiing or snowshoes,and fat bikes only along a 3.5-mile trail.

Recreation

Activities abound, with hiking, technical single track dirtbiking, ATV/OTV riding, snowshoing, cross country skiing. Hunting and fishing are popular in the area

Facilities

Visitors can expect a rustic cabin set back roughly 100 feet from the road, providing privacy and solitude. Amenities include wood stove. The kitchen includes cabinet space and some dishes are provided. The cabin has two bedrooms and four twin-size beds. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located just outside the cabin.

No electricity or running water is available. Guests should bring drinking water, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, food, towels and toiletries.

In winter, kettles are provided to melt snow for water. A snow shovel and firewood is provided.

Natural Features

Situated near the southeast shores of Silver Jack Reservoir, Jackson Guard Station sits in a small aspen grove at 9,000 feet elevation. The cabin is at the base of High Mesa, near where the Cimarron River flows into the reservoir.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the San Juan Mountains, Alpine Plateau, Uncompahgre Wilderness, Silver Jack Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

The cabin is about an hour's drive from Montrose or Ridgway, and an hour and a half from Gunnison.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Picnic table: all 1 sites
Largest party: 4 people

Directions

From Montrose, take Highway 50 east for about 20 miles. Turn right (south) onto County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left. From Gunnison, take Highway 50 west for roughly 43 miles. Turn left on County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left. In winter, park in parking lot before the Forest Boundary and ski, snowshoe or snowmobile up the road for 3.5 miles.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 10 AM.

Reviews

44 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Matthew W

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

First, this place surely is the best forest service cabin in the system and we’ve stayed here multiple times and just love it in every way. What a value. Second, I want to thank every fire fighter that gave and risked their lives fighting the Gold Mountain fire this year, all of them hero’s no doubt. Your efforts saved this beautiful area from devastation and is very much appreciated. Jackson Guard Station Cabin has a culture of people really paying it forward when it comes to leaving the cabin clean and in great condition for the next user’s. Thank you to the Forest Ranger’s in this district, you are doing an amazing job and it shows. If you get the chance this is a very special cabin and allows access to the San Juan area in a very cost effective manner. Until next year, take care Jackson Guard Station Cabin. You are indeed special.

Ryan J

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Great location with space and beautiful views.

Christian M

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed 6 months ago

Amazing stay plenty of firewood stocked and the wood stove kept the cabin warm. The stove top was fueled with massive propane tank in backyard. Plenty of pots and pans. Some board games and cards stocked. Would recommend. Make sure you clean up after you leave so others get the same experience you got!

Paul D. D

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed 10 months ago

Very nice 4-person cabin up against Forest Service lands in the N. San Juans. Cimmaron drainages are specacular. Very nice wood stove, plenty of wood. Bring a green propane canister for the Coleman lantern. Paper towels are not stocked. Cook stove is a newer four-burner unit but the oven is not operational.

Matthew W

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

This cabin is amazing! It is the nicest, well kept, rodent free forest service cabin that I’ve ever used. Fall is magical in the San Juan’s and we’ll always return. Thank you to everyone that does their part keeping this cabin a special place. To Jackson Guard Station cabin, see you next year my friend and we can’t wait!

Lisa B

Loop:Jackson Guard Station

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

The cabin was in a nice wooded area set back from the gravel road. You do hear lots of ATVs on the weekend, but much quieter on weekdays. The cows were around every day, sometimes close to the cabin. When I called to get the combination for the lock, I was told by the ranger that there was a working refrigerator, BUT there was not. So, plan ahead to have all your food in a cooler and know that there is nowhere to get ice unless you drive into a town. Water was easy to get at Silver Jack Campground, but having to keep all our trash with us was not ideal since the campground won't let you dump trash there. Firewood was provided but with the fire ban we were unable to have a campfire. The stove worked great and we were able to prepare our meals and use the provided kettle to heat water to wash dishes. Cabin is within walking distance of the fishing area at Silver Jack Reservoir which was nice. Beds were fine for sleeping but the fabric mattress covers could have used a good washing. The outhouse was as clean as an outhouse probably can be. Plenty of toilet paper was provided. We enjoyed having our own little retreat to go to after a day of hiking, fishing and exploring the area!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Busy