Wyoming / Lincoln County / Bridger-Teton National Forest

Kelley Guard Station

Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. Summer access via gravel and dirt roads requires high-clearance vehicles. Winter access is by snowmobile only on a 10-mile trail.

About

Kelley Guard Station is a historic Forest Service guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, located about 45 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, along the Big Springs Scenic Backway. The two-room rustic cabin sleeps four people on two bunkbeds with mattresses and is equipped with a propane stove, refrigerator, propane lights, and a small wood stove for heat. A picnic table and campfire ring are located outside. The cabin is perched on a grassy space surrounded by mixed conifers at 8,200 feet in elevation. Kelley Creek flows beside the guard station, offering a serene soundtrack of flowing water. Moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes are among the wildlife likely to be seen. An abundance of wildflowers color the landscape in summer. The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and off-road vehicle riding are popular summer activities. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing can be done right from the cabin in winter. Summer access is on gravel and dirt roads requiring high-clearance vehicles. Winter access is by snowmobile only on a 10-mile trail. Seasonal water is available from an outside faucet in summer only; guests must bring drinking water in winter. A vault toilet is available year-round.

Directions

From Kemmerer, WY, follow U.S. Highway 189 north to the junction of Wyoming Highway 233 and Ham's Fork Road. Turn left on Ham's Fork Road and drive about 38 miles (first 19 miles paved) to Ham's Fork Campground. Just past the campground, take the left fork and cross Ham's Fork River. Drive about 2.5 miles to Green Knoll/Forest Road 10198 junction and turn left. Drive 3.8 miles to Nugent Park/Forest Road 10069 junction and turn right. Drive 0.8 miles to Kelley Guard Station Road and turn right. The guard station is about 0.5 miles from the junction. Winter access is by snowmobile only on a 10-mile trail.

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