Idaho / Custer County / Salmon-Challis National Forest

Copper Basin Guard Station

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Opens June 1. Reservations available through Recreation.gov with a minimum two-night stay and maximum six-night stay.

About

Copper Basin Guard Station is a historic two-bedroom log cabin located in the rugged and beautiful Copper Basin area of the Pioneer Mountains in south-central Idaho. The 900 square-foot cabin sits at an elevation between 7,500 and 8,000 feet in a remote mountain valley with stunning views, wide open spaces, and mountains in every direction. The cabin comfortably sleeps six adults with room for eight people total, featuring one queen bed, two full-sized bunk beds, and a queen sleeper couch. Amenities include a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, propane furnace, propane lights, wood stove, dining table with seating, and a full bathroom with hot and cold running water, flush toilet, and shower. The cabin has no electricity, phone service, cell coverage, or internet. Kitchen tools, table settings for eight, and cleaning supplies are provided, but guests must bring their own food, toiletries, towels, bedding, and trash bags. Copper Basin offers abundant recreational opportunities including stream and lake fishing in the East Fork of the Big Lost River, day hikes to high mountain lakes, mountain biking, horseback riding on the Broad Canyon Trail, OHV riding on the Lake Creek Trail, hiking on the Bellas Trail, photography, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The area features abundant wildlife, numerous streams, and stunning mountain peaks. Campfires are allowed only in the provided metal fire ring. Minimum stay is two nights, maximum is six nights.

Directions

From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 miles and turn left on Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 miles (pavement turns to gravel at 12 miles). Turn left at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff, continue 2 miles, then bear left on Road #135 for approximately 14 miles. The guard station is on the right at the intersection of Roads 135 and 138. From Ketchum, travel northeast on Trail Creek Road #208 for approximately 23 miles, turn right at Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff, continue 2 miles, bear left on Road #135 for 14 miles to the intersection of Roads 135 and 138.

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