Camp Observer1 of 8 photos
Bassam Guard Station
Overview
Bassam Guard Station was built in 1911 as one of a network of remote stations to be used by the first forest rangers and guards to monitor grazing sheep and cattle, manage timber harvesting, apprehended poachers, and report fire, road and weather conditions on National Forest lands. This cabin provides visitors with access to many recreation opportunities in the remote back country.
Recreation
Visitors may wish to take a day trip to the Arkansas River for kayaking, whitewater rafting or fishing. There are many recreational activities on the Salida Ranger District including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and OHV riding on designated forest roads and trails.
Or take a trip to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo. An old saloon, county courthouse and many other historic structures remain from the days of its mining glory.
The City of Salida and Town of Buena Vista offer visitor’s unique restaurants, shops, and art galleries to enjoy.
Facilities
The 14 x 16 cabin includes a full-sized bed, dresser, a small table with two chairs, a two-burner propane stove for cooking, and a wood-burning stove for heat. A metal campfire ring and picnic table are onsite. The cabin sleeps two adults, and an additional six adults may camp outside in tents or a camper. The bunkhouse and barn are off-limits to the public. Horses may be picketed or corralled outside of the fenced area by the entrance of the cabin site. Portable corrals are permitted, but must be moved every few days to prevent damage to vegetation and soil. Water is available at a hand pump, but guests are advised to bring extra drinking water. Limited cooking and dining utensils are provided. Guests should also bring food, matches, toilet paper, flashlights, bedding, garbage bags, and an ax for chopping firewood. Dead and downed wood may be collected and used in campfires and in the wood-burning stove.Natural Features
The cabin sits in a stand of Aspens at an approximate elevation of 9,700 feet, south of Bassam Ridge. The cabin is within the Salida Ranger District, spanning 440,000 acres of public lands in central Colorado. The Arkansas River valley is known locally as the "Banana Belt of Colorado" because of the generally mild temperatures and sunny days. Springtime can be deceptive with sporadic spring snowstorms occurring from March to May. During the summer months, days are warm with cool nights. Afternoon thundershowers are common during July and August. The fall months are are generally dry and sunny with cooler morning temperatures.Nearby Attractions
The cabin is located near the eastern boundary of Browns Canyon National Monument. Explore the monument from the Bassam Park area on foot or mountain bike (trail 1435). Or, for those with high clearance vehicles, take a scenic drive along Aspen Ridge Road (road 185). Note that much of the monument's western side is being managed as a wilderness study area, so motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed.Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Pets allowed: all 1 sites
- Largest party: 8 people
Directions
From Salida travel north on Highway 285 to the junction with Highways 24/285
near Johnson's Village. Turn right onto Hwys 24/285, passing through Johnson's
Village. Stay on this highway for 5 miles, then watch for a sign on the left
for County Road 307 (next to private property with railroad items on display).
Turn right onto CR 307 and travel for 1.5 miles to the junction with CR 187.
Turn right onto CR 187 and travel south for 7 miles to the intersection with
CR 186. Turn left on CR 186 and travel southeast for .10 miles. Watch for a
two-track road on the left(186 A). This road will take you to the gated
entrance to the cabin. Roads may be slippery and muddy after rain or snow,
drive with caution.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (26)
5 stars
21
4 stars
2
3 stars
3
John B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 17 days ago
as always a very relaxing enjoyable time.Would like to find other cabins like this.
Christin M
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 7 months ago
Our very favorite and best Thanksgiving. Such a phenomenal, historical gem. We are so thankful for the program that made it possible to experience such a special place.
Tomomi J
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed a year ago
Great little historic cabin retreat. It was clean and well maintained. There were a lot of mosquitoes so bring bug spray. The picnic table may need to be painted, we got splinters the first time we sat so never used it after that.
Thomas B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed a year ago
Awesome little cabin and piece of history that our family enjoyed greatly. Everyone should be aware of how strained the USFS resources are, please take care of this gem! The future of places like this being available to rent depends on us using it responsibly and treating it respectfully.
James R
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 2 years ago
Turn the door knob all the way clockwise to lock the latch into the door jamb, and then all the way counter clockwise to open it. Stove works good; leave door open when cooking or carbon monoxide in cabin will rise (I had a CO2 reader that began rising when I cooked). Climbing the hill to the West gives you a wonderful view. I know from past experience the wildflowers in early August are gorgeous; so are the aspens in the first week of October.
Brandon T
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 2 years ago
The Bassam Ranger Station surpassed all of our expectations. It felt like we had a small private chunk of paradise to ourselves. Thank you for making such a iconic and historical site available to the public. It was a top notch experience.
Deirdre D
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 2 years ago
Beautiful cabin, just the right size for two people for a couple days. Fun staying in this historic building and read about the rangers from 1911. Would be better if the woodstove could run a bit longer than a couple hours at a time for overnight heat. But the bathroom is immaculately clean! Thank you, Salida Ranger District. Would love to come back when the roses are in bloom. The dirt road to get there is spectacularly maintained, and smooth as could be The padlock numbers to open the gate are hard to see even during the day. It’s tiny, and the numbers are not easy to read so use a flashlight (and reading glasses)! The water pump works well and can be used for cleaning and washing dishes. We brought our own water for drinking. Lots of hooks for hanging clothes and jackets etc.
Richard W
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 3 years ago
Like having your own little forest preserve! Getting to travel about 1/4 mile down a gated road (which you have the combination to) brings you to a beautiful little cabin in an aspen grove. So peaceful and wonderful having the place all to ourselves! And Bassam Park is just a little, out-of-the-way gem of a place. Also explore Castle Rock Gulch - really nice scenery!
Dana H
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 3 years ago
clean upon arrival. Some pre-chopped firewood places inside and outside. thank you for a peaceful get away.
William B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 4 years ago
Our stay at the cabin was great. The weather was cool and rainy but made for great reading for my wife. Finding the cabin was to hard, but needs a little more signage to guide you on your way. The entrance pass the gate is rough be careful. The cabins is in a valley making for VERY dark nights, so bring a good light source. The cabin is well stocked with items other campers have donated or left behind. Enjoyed hiking and wildlife watching.
Sara B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 5 years ago
The cabin was clean and adorable. There was a small cooking stove and some pots and pans. Had a nice space for a fire. Wonderful get away for our family. The last quarter mile of driveway was questionable for our minivan, would of had to walk it if there had been rain.
Justin C
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
Hands down one of the best weekends with my mom and friends.
Joseph J
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
The only reason I can't rate 5 stars is because the cabin reeked of cigarettes so badly that we couldn't even stay in the cabin. We aired it out for entire 3 days that we were there so at least it smelled better for the next visitors. The wood bin in the cabin was almost completely empty, so I filled it up for the next visitor. There are no signs that say "No Smoking", I highly recommend that the FS puts signs up in the cabin. Remember your actions during your visit impacts the experience of others even after you leave. Other than that the location is fantastic, and it's great to have a private camping spot behind a fenced gate. I highly recommend this place.
James R
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
Had a wonderful stay the week of Thanksgiving. The mouse problem from the last time has been fixed. I had two mouse traps set inside for five days that were never sprung. It looks like a new layer of cement had been placed around the base of the cabin exterior to keep out mice. It snowed a lot one day during our stay, and got down to 11 degrees two mornings, but the potbelly stove kept us toasty warm. It helps to bring along a long handled wood splitter to size the firewood small enough to fit into the stove. Looking forward to my next stay at the cabin in 2021 if I can get reservations. . .
Michele L
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
We had an awesome time at Bassam Cabin! Loved the seclusion of the place. The cabin is well maintained and such a lovely getaway. I was there with my 2 small kiddos. We had a bit of snow prior to arrival so I was grateful for AWD and snow tires. Also, it was necessary to keep the wood stove going all night since the temps dropped down into the single digits. The directions to get there are not great so best (and GPS doesn't work) so best to have a map.
Fred K
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
This was our second trip to Bassam Guard Station. We enjoyed it a lot. There was a mouse in the cabin but it was not a real big deal. Part of nature. We adjusted. It's always fun to pump your own water using the easy to use hand pump. Heating with the old pot-belly stove is nostalgic fun. Both activities are educational for kiddos. The peace and quiet was awesome and the stars at night with NO light pollution was incredible. Saw two 2 by 2 bucks on Monday as we were leaving. The aspens had just started to turn a tiny bit. This would be fantastic when they turn fully as it is in the middle of many acres of aspen trees. Lots of neat roads to explore. You CAN get to CO 2 by going south on 86 and this gets you to Salida easier. We went over Cottonwood Pass to Tincup and then took the "Jeep trail" to Pitkin. It really can be done in almost ANY car.
Brian L
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
We've stayed here several times, but this was the first time it was infested with mice. There were lots of mice both inside and outside the cabin. We think the previous visitors must have left the door open and/or left food out. We realize that there are are mice out in nature, but this was excessive.
Jim R
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
Rustic cabin surrounded by meadows, aspens, and pine forests. Quiet and relaxing. Very few mice when my dogs stayed with me in the cabin. However when I brought a friend and I camped outside with the dogs, numerous mice came into the cabin at night. Caught 5 in two traps and there were many more. They made it hard for her to sleep. Food will need to be protected from the mice.
David B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
The only downside is there is no shade at the benches around the firepit. Otherwise, it is the same place as it was 5 years ago. Very no frills but a nice getaway for the price. A very nice bed and quiet and peaceful in the morning and cool. The nights are very quiet and was comfortable when I was there. There are some nice, hidden away spots to hike along the cool, clear stream waters. The best part is the solitude it offers.
Michal K
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
This place is great, really enjoyed our stay! With the exception of occasional dirt bikes quarter mile away, there is nobody around, you have absolute seclusion in nature. The cabin is great, rustic but relatively clean and comfortable, and the history makes it an amazing place. Utensils & pots/pans are very minimal, I suggest you bring your own. The pump is fun for kids, but definitely not drinkable unless you're filtering. There is room in the cabin to bring a couple cots and good spots outside to pitch a tent. The stars are awesome.
Jenette W
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
We really enjoyed our trip to Bassam Guard Station. We visited Buena Vista, St Elmo, Chalk Lake and Mt Princeton...what a day! The cabin was comfortable, though I’d recommend bringing your own cooking utensils and silverware, or be prepared to wash up! The fire pit and benches were wonderful...we started and ended the day around the fire. S’mores were the dessert of choice. There was plenty of firewood close by. The cabin does have a large propane tank, no need to take one (even though many of the previous comments state to bring propane).
Gene G
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 6 years ago
We loved staying at this little cabin. We were able to make it to the nearby hot springs, and take a beautiful hike. Our son is 10 and it was good to get away from TV, media, etc. We will definitely make another visit.
DALE B
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 7 years ago
We used this cabin for a hunting trip it worked out great.
Nathaniel H
Loop:Bassam Cabin
Site:001
Reviewed 7 years ago
It was a beautiful location, the only negative came from just a change in weather, it was a very cold night followed by the first snow of the season. The snow was beautiful, but the wood stove requires a lot of attention to keep it going throughout the night, or else a better operator. But the location and the history was great!
Popularity
Very busy · 99%
Busiest in July, when about 99% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
Location
SALIDA, CO 81201
