Copper Basin Guard Station

Show on map208-588-3400
P.O. Box 507
Mackay, ID 83251

Overview

Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Fire pit: all 1 sites
  • Picnic table: all 1 sites
  • Longest RV: 35 ft
  • Largest party: 8 people

Directions

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. Turn left at the Wild horse/Copper Basin turnoff, and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles and bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads 135 and 138. From Ketchum, Idaho, travel north east on the Trail Creek Road, #208, for approximately 23 miles. Turn right on at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles. Bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads #135 and #138.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

13 reviews
5 stars
12
4 stars
1
Gary E
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Nice place. Everything worked well. The views are breathtaking. Perfect place to escape the rat race. I've been backpacking and fishing in Copper Basin for at least 25 years. Never lets me down. Rented the guard station 4 or 5 times. It's very comfortable as I move into my senior years. We'll try to keep returning.
Kent D
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The finest Forest Service rental cabin in the Salmon/Challis forest
Gary R
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Don't go there. In fact, go to another state.
Blaine F
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
We have stayed at this cabin many times, it is our favorite. We were shocked when entering the cabin, it was as if a professional maid had cleaned it. We love this area because there are so many sights to see in every direction. Take the loop road, the views are fantastic especially the Fall Colors. Cross over to Wildhorse, see the views, see the moose. So many trails and high mountain lakes. I can’t say enough for this area. Lost River area is great. Blaine and Marion Fife
Charles E
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
We Stayed 3 Nights in September and just loved it. We Drove in from Ketchum ID and bought supplies there. Don't mess around, assume you need to bring everything because its two hours of washboard road back to the store. During our stay, it was very dry so we used FS142 to make a shorter route out to Mackay, ID. No CELL, but take FS142 to the Top of Corral Creek Summit. Take the short FS747 to look out east and you will also get CELL Service. Cabin was very clean, almost everything worked including hot water and stove and propane lights with extra mantels. Furnace would not light and we were worried until we realized the propane lights gave off plenty of heat to warm the place up to 75. Beds were hard, but clean and we put on covers and sheets and warm comforters for the cold night. Never had to use the wood stove. Amazing Dark Skies and fenced area around cabin and larger fence around area kept the cows at a good distance. We made three full meals using all the cookware and stove. Tons of hiking west along Copper Basin Loop Road. Hunters on ATVs were around, but respectful and many trails were horses and people only and we had them to ourselves. Nearby Trails include Goat, Betty and Baptie Lakes via Broad Canyon, Standhope Peak Loop, Big Black Dome and others. Bring a Map or download offline maps so you know the area and know the roads. We cleaned and left it as good or better than we arrived including using the sweeper. One of my favorite USFS Cabin Trips. Will be back.
Marie H
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Great cabin. Beautiful views.
Availability

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

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

Jun 11, 2027 – Sep 22, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Jun 11, 2028 – Sep 22, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

Availability not checked yet

No availability

We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .

Interested in seeing what camp sites you can reserve here? Check it now, or watch this campground so we keep checking it for you.

Nearby Campgrounds