Big Elk Guard Station
Open May through October. Reservations available via Recreation.gov. No potable water on site. Visitors must pack out all food waste and garbage. Entry through the access gate is by combination lock provided with reservation.
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:08PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory...in effect until noon PDT Monday. Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. People at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. For additional information...please visit the web site at https://oregonsmoke.org
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 560-3400 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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