California / Plumas County / Plumas National Forest

Crocker Guard Station

Closed — Closed for the season. Operates seasonally, typically opening in late spring. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. Contact Beckwourth Ranger District at (530) 836-2575 for gate combination and current opening dates.

About

Built in 1912 as a home for Forest Service personnel and later staffed as a fire station until the 1980s, Crocker Guard Station offers visitors a historic cabin rental experience in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located ten miles northeast of Portola at an elevation of 5,700 feet, the cabin sits in a small meadow surrounded by an aspen grove and pine forest. The cabin features four bedrooms with ten twin beds and mattresses, including two sets of bunk beds. The interior includes a kitchen, dining room, and living room, all equipped with propane-operated lights, a cook stove, and heater. Cooking and eating utensils are provided, but there is no refrigerator or drinking water. An outside vault toilet building serves the cabin, and a hand pump provides water for fire protection only. The large fenced-in front yard is perfect for children. Crocker Campground is located adjacent to the guard station, offering ten free campsites with tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. This campground provides the perfect overflow space for larger groups or for guests who prefer tent camping, as tents are not permitted at the guard station itself. Lake Davis Recreation Area is within three miles, offering fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and biking opportunities. Hunting is popular in the fall. The night sky offers excellent stargazing with minimal light pollution, though some glow from Reno is visible.

Directions

From Portola, travel east on Highway 70 for 5 miles to Beckwourth. Travel north on County Road 111 (Beckwourth-Genesee Road) for 6 miles. Crocker Guard Station is on the left. Enter through the closed gate; combination provided upon reservation.

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