Copper Basin Guard Station
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
Gary E
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
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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
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Reviewed 2 months ago
The finest Forest Service rental cabin in the Salmon/Challis forest
Gary R
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
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Reviewed 3 months ago
Don't go there. In fact, go to another state.
Blaine F
Loop:Copper Basin Guard Station
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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
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Reviewed 3 years ago
Great cabin. Beautiful views.
Season dates
Peak season
Jun 11, 2027 – Sep 22, 2027
Reservable online
Peak season
Jun 11, 2028 – Sep 22, 2028
Reservable online

