Big Elk Guard Station

About

Big Elk Guard Station is the oldest continuously used administrative site within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, with history dating to 1907. The current cabin was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For decades it served as summer headquarters for forest guards who built trails, fought fires, and patrolled on horseback. More recently it housed seasonal fire crews. The rustic log cabin sits on the fringe of Big Elk Meadow, a grassy expanse that floods in spring and dries in summer. A short walk across the meadow offers views of Mt. McLoughlin (9,495 ft) and a 20,000-year-old lava flow from Brown Mountain. The surrounding forest includes lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Shasta red fir, and Douglas fir, with wildlife including blacktail deer, elk, mountain lion, black bear, and bald eagles. The cabin features a large living room with mortared-rock fireplace, well-equipped kitchen with electric range and refrigerator, and two upstairs bunkrooms with one king and two twin beds. Original fir flooring remains intact. Electric lights and heat throughout. A vault toilet, outdoor picnic table, and fire ring are provided. No potable water on site; water can be obtained at North Fork Campground approximately 1 mile north.

Directions

From Butte Falls, drive east on the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road 821) for approximately 19 miles to the junction with State Highway 140. Turn right, go one-eighth mile on Highway 140 to junction with Forest Road 37. Turn left, go approximately 2 miles to the junction with the guard station driveway (visible on the left). Turn left, travel through the gate to the guard station. Alternative route from White City or Klamath Falls: Take State Highway 140 to the junction with Forest Road 37, then travel south on FR 37 to the guard station.