Grizzly Creek Guard Station

Closed — Currently closed for winter season. Reservations available year-round through Recreation.gov. Winter road access is often unplowed within 3 miles of cabin, requiring snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes.

Notify on Availability Reserve

About

At 8,500 feet elevation, Grizzly Creek Guard Station sits in an open area among grassland and sagebrush near the Mount Zirkel Wilderness in Routt National Forest. This historic two-room cabin sleeps five on bunkbeds with mattresses and is equipped with propane-powered heat and cooking range, plus kitchen utensils, pots, pans, table and chairs. An accessible pit toilet outhouse is located on-site. The guard station is accessible by passenger vehicle when snow-free, though high clearance vehicles are recommended in spring and fall. Winter access is only possible by snowmobile, cross-country skis, or snowshoes, as the road is often unplowed within 3 miles of the cabin. Guests must haul water from a campground approximately 3 miles away in summer, or pack in their own water supply during winter months. The surrounding area offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, with elk, deer, and moose frequently seen in adjacent meadows. Summer activities include hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle use on designated trails. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Mount Zirkel Wilderness to the east encompasses 160,648 acres with ecosystems ranging from sagebrush meadows to alpine tundra.

Directions

From Walden, take Highway 14 west for approximately 11 miles to Hebron. Turn right on County Road 24, driving west. Follow County Road 24 as it forks left and then right at intersections with County Roads 1 and 5. After approximately 10 miles, the road becomes Forest Service Road 60 and you arrive at the Grizzly Creek Guard Station.