Aspen Guard Station
Campground · Colorado · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 6
- People per site
- 9,250 ft
- Elevation
Overview
You’re in for a treat when you rent Aspen Guard Station’s beautiful cabin. Built between 1938-1940, this cabin offers a visit to the past while being near enough to civilization to have a foot in both worlds. This old cabin housed the Forest Service Rangers who patrolled the forests, often on horseback, checking timber and livestock permits, helping neighboring cabin dwellers and the public, much like today.
Recreation
Hiking, wildlife sightings. Mountain bike riding, ATV/UTV access.
Facilities
Full Kitchen stocked with pots, pans, baking dishes, plates, glasses, cups, silverware, etc.
Two bedrooms - two full beds.
Flushing toilet.
Working shower.
Furnace and Heater.
Outdoor fire pit with cooking grill and log bench.
Picnic Table.
Natural Features
Located directly on Forest Service Road 561 in a grove of aspen trees with enclosing fence.
Nearby Attractions
Mesa Verde National Park
Durango to Silverton Train
Anazasi Visitors Center
Four Corners National Monument
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Aspen GS
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills, shade, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Aspen Guard Station
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 2:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Guard Station | Aspen GS | Cabin Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 |
Getting there
Mancos, Colorado
11.5 miles north of Mancos on Forest Road #561, a chip-seal paved road for 10 miles and then a well-graveled forest road accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles.
Remain on FS Road 561 past Transfer Campground.
Stay right at fork another mile
Cabin on right, fenced with gate entry
37.48152, -108.20021 · 37°28'53.5"N 108°12'0.7"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.3 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
$100/night (not including the fee charged per reservation by Recreation.gov) Two (2) night minimum stay, four (4) night maximum stay.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Member photos
Common questions about Aspen Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Aspen Guard Station?
- Yes, Aspen Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Aspen Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- Are campfires allowed at Aspen Guard Station?
- Campfires are allowed at Aspen Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Aspen Guard Station
- Transfer Campground 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jersey Jim Fire Tower 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Target Tree Campground 9.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kroeger 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Snowslide 10.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mavreeso Campground 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Dolores Campground 13 mi · Campground · we watch it
- House Creek 18.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jersey Jim Lookout 1.4 mi · Facility
- Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center 15.2 mi · Facility
- Morefield Campground 17.2 mi · Campground
- Phil's World 18.3 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 970 882-7296
- Email jerseyjimfoundation@gmail.org
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-01.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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