Piney Guard Station
Closed — Open for winter season reservations through May 20. Spring and late fall closures apply, with summer season beginning May 21. Winter access requires snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes for 3 to 10 miles depending on snowpack. Summer access requires high-clearance 4WD vehicle on rough Forest Road 744.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Blanco Ranger District, Occupancy and Use Prohibitions
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Blanco Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Termination of Derby Fire Closure Order
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a), the prohibitions listed in Order Number WRNF-2025-028, applicable to the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest for National Forest System Lands within the Derby Fire perimeter, dated September 26, 2025, and signed by Brian Glaspell
Aspen RD Seasonal Area and Trail Closures and Dog Restricitions
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Beginning in May 2024, access to Grizzly Creek Trail will be limited while bridge replacements and other improvements are completed.
Rifle Ranger District, Occupancy and Use
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Rifle Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Grizzly Creek Canyon Area and Trail Closure
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Rifle and Eagle Holy Cross Ranger Districts, White River National Forest:
Eagle - Holy Cross Ranger District, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest
Eagle - Holy Cross Ranger District, Seasonal Trail Closures and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trails in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest
Dillon Ranger District, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Sopris Ranger District, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Carbondale and Glenwood Springs visitor centers are temporarily closed
The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in Carbondale will be closed for construction until 2025, and the Supervisor's Office visitor center in Glenwood Springs is closed until further notice. Please call (970) 945-2521 for any Aspen-Sopris specific inquiries.
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
The septic waste dump station at Ruedi Marina day use area is closed and non-functional. The nearest dump stations are in Silt and Edwards.
Aspen Ranger District, Occupancy and Use
Prohibitions on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Aspen Ranger District
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness on the Leadville and Salida Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, and
Food storage order
May 15 to October 1, annually: Prohibits possessing or storing food - solid or liquid substance that is or may be consumed by any person or animal (including pet and stock food and harvested fish and game but excluding water or hay without additives) - or refuse, including items
Ptarmigan Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on all National Forest Service (NFS) lands and trails within the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Area, Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest
Eagles Nest Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger Districts, White River National Forest
Flat Tops Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited within the Flat Tops Wilderness on the Blanco, Rifle, and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest, and the Yampa Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, in Eagle, Garfield, and Rio Blanco Counties, State of Colorado:
Camping stay limitations
Camping within the White River National Forest for more than 14-days with in any continuous 30-day period is prohibited; this begins on the first day of occupancy. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a)
Wildwood Parcel, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands known as the “Wildwood Parcel” in the Aspen- Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Holy Cross Wilderness Prohibitions
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest:
Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of the White River and Gunnison National Forests in the Aspen, Sopris, and Gunnison Ranger Districts, including in specific zones within the Wilderness, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this O
Tenderfoot - Frey Gulch Fire Closure
The following act is prohibited in the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest, Summit County, State of Colorado
Holy Cross Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest:
El Jebel Administrative Site Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands known as the El Jebel Administrative Parcel in the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest
Sweetwater Lake Area, Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at Sweetwater Lake and vicinity in the White River National Forest, Garfield County, State of Colorado:
Maroon Bells Scenic Area - Maroon Valley Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and waters in the Maroon Valley and Maroon Bells Scenic Area:
Eagle - Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger District, Dispersed Camping Restrictions
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest
Holy Cross RD, Group Size Limits
The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached maps:
Eagle-Holy Cross RD, Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached maps:
Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon RD, Dispersed Camping Restrictions
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached map:
McCoy Park - Beaver Creek Ski Area, Seasonal Closure
The following act is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at McCoy Park in Beaver Creek Ski Area in the White River National Forest, Eagle County, State of Colorado:
No camping within 100' of water and trails
No camping within 100' of a body of water (such as a lake, stream, pond, or river) or a National Forest System Trail.
Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited within the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest, in Pitkin County, State of Colorado:
Dillon Ranger District, Designated Dispersed Camping
The following acts are prohibited on certain National Forest System lands within the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado
Green Mountain Reservoir, Jump Rock Closure
The following act is prohibited on the National Forest System lands in the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado
Ski Area prohibitions
ls is prohibited to go into or be upon the Restricted Area when in violation of Colorado Revised Statutes Title33, Article 44, specifically including, but not limited to, Sections 105 and I 09, also known as the ColoradoSki Safety Act of 1979. 36. C.F.R 261.53(e)
No Camping or Fires Along Montezuma Road
The following act is (U.S.C.) § prohibited within the White River National Forest, on the Dillon Ranger District, in Summit County
Hanging Lake Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited on those National Forest Service lands described as the Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark Area and on all trails within the Restricted Area within the Eagle/Holy Cross Range
Bicycle Use
The following acts are prohibited as shown on Exhibit A of this order within the White River National Forest, Colorado:
Raggeds Wilderness, Occupancy and Use
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands within the Raggeds Wilderness of the White River and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests:
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest lands in Sections 3, 4, 9, and 10 in Township 7S and Range 80W (parts of Camp Hale)
No Travel Off Roads and Trails in Parts of Camp Hale
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest lands in Township 7S and Range 80W (parts of Camp Hale)
Dillon Reservoir, Boat Storage
The following act is prohibited within the boundaries of the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest, until this Order is rescinded.
No Motorized Vehicles off Boreas Pass Road
The following act is prohibited, at the area surrounding the Boreas Pass Section House, {as shown on Exhibit A), within the White River National Forest
Unlicensed OHV/vehicle restrictions and camping
Prohibitions on all National Forest system lands, roads, trails and improvements on the White River National Forest and the Dillon District of the Arapaho National Forest until further notice
Webster Pass Seasonal Road Closure
The following acts are prohibited on the South Platte Ranger District and Dillon Ranger District as described in this order
Aspen RD, No Camping within 300' of a Trailhead- Exceptions
The following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest:
Cooper Basin Drainage Closed to Motorized Vehicles
To continue historic modes of travel within the Cooper Basin Drainage, operation of motorized vehicles is prohibited:
Developed campground stay limitations
Stay limits for developed campgrounds on the White River National Forest
About
Piney Guard Station is a rustic log cabin constructed in the 1930s as a work station for Forest Service crews. This 14x22-foot single-room structure is located at 9,100 feet in the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District of White River National Forest, near Vail. The cabin sleeps up to 4 people with a bunk bed, 2 cots, storage cabinets, a table and benches, and a woodstove for heat. Basic cookware, dishware, and utensils are provided, along with a two-burner propane stove and lantern (guests must bring their own 16.4-oz. propane cylinders). Outside, there is a picnic table, metal fire ring, and a vault toilet located approximately 50 feet away. Nestled in a forest dominated by aspen, spruce, pine, and fir trees, the cabin offers views of the Gore Mountain Range from a nearby meadow. A lake sits across the road where moose are sometimes spotted. The area is also home to elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, Canada lynx, and black bear. Birders may see bald eagles, peregrine falcons, Barrow's golden-eye, and black swifts. The cabin is conveniently located near year-round recreational opportunities. The Forest Service road is used by mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobilers. The area is popular for hunting big and small game, game birds, and waterfowl. No drinking water, electricity, or trash service is available; guests must bring their own water and pack out all trash. Access varies significantly by season, with winter access requiring snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes for up to 10 miles depending on snowpack, and summer access requiring a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle on rough, rutted forest roads.
Directions
Take I-70 to exit 157, then Highway 131 north through Wolcott for 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 700 (Muddy Pass Road). Summer (May 21-November 22): High-clearance 4WD required on Forest Road 744 for final 3 miles. Winter (November 23-May 20): Park at intersection of FR 700 and FR 744 (or closer to Highway 131 depending on snowpack) and snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe 3-10 miles to cabin.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 827-5715 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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