Jackson Guard Station
Campground · Colorado · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Uncompahgre National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 4
- People per site
- 9,037 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Jackson Guard Station is a great destination for anything from a weekend getaway to a week-long hunting trip. The cabin was originally used as a guard station that housed Forest Service work crews. The cabin's access road is remarkably scenic, making for an impressive arrival.
In summer months, the cabin sets the stage for a wide array of activities. Recreation ranges from thrilling off-road vehicle riding to amazing scenery viewsing,hiking,and rewarding fishing.
Winter access is by snowmobile, cross country skiing or snowshoes,and fat bikes only along a 3.5-mile trail.
Recreation
Activities abound, with hiking, technical single track dirtbiking, ATV/OTV riding, snowshoing, cross country skiing. Hunting and fishing are popular in the area
Facilities
Visitors can expect a rustic cabin set back roughly 100 feet from the road, providing privacy and solitude. Amenities include wood stove. The kitchen includes cabinet space and some dishes are provided. The cabin has two bedrooms and four twin-size beds. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located just outside the cabin.
No electricity or running water is available. Guests should bring drinking water, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, food, towels and toiletries.
In winter, kettles are provided to melt snow for water. A snow shovel and firewood is provided.
Natural Features
Situated near the southeast shores of Silver Jack Reservoir, Jackson Guard Station sits in a small aspen grove at 9,000 feet elevation. The cabin is at the base of High Mesa, near where the Cimarron River flows into the reservoir.Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the San Juan Mountains, Alpine Plateau, Uncompahgre Wilderness, Silver Jack Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The cabin is about an hour's drive from Montrose or Ridgway, and an hour and a half from Gunnison.
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: JACKSON GUARD STATION
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Jackson Guard Station
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 10:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | JACKSON GUARD STATION | Cabin Nonelectric | — | Gravel | Slight | — | 4 |
Getting there
From Gunnison, take Highway 50 west for roughly 43 miles. Turn left on County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left.
In winter, park in parking lot before the Forest Boundary and ski, snowshoe or snowmobile up the road for 3.5 miles.
38.21333, -107.52324 · 38°12'48.0"N 107°31'23.7"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Jackson Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Jackson Guard Station?
- Yes, Jackson Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Jackson Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- Are campfires allowed at Jackson Guard Station?
- Campfires are allowed at Jackson Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Jackson Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Jackson Guard Station's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- The rental fee is $75.00 per night with a maximum occupancy of four guests.
Camping near Jackson Guard Station
- Silver Jack Campground (CO) 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Beaver Lake (CO) 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Cimarron 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Alpine Ranger Station 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Amphitheater (Co) 15.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cimarron Campground (CO) 16 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Silver Jack Campground - Ouray RD 1.8 mi · Campground
- Beaver Lake Campground - Ouray RD 2.8 mi · Campground
- Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD 7.5 mi · Campground
- The Gate Campground 14.4 mi · Campground
- Independence Gulch #234 14.7 mi · Facility
- Amphitheater Campground - Ouray RD 15.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (970) 240-5300
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments