Piney Guard Station
Campground · Colorado · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
White River National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 10 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 4
- People per site
- 9,055 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Piney Guard Station is a rustic cabin that was constructed in the 1930s as a work station for Forest Service crews. This 14 by 22-ft. structure has a single room and is built from logs. It is open both summer and winter with spring and late fall closures.Recreation
The cabin is conveniently located in an area offering a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Forest Service road leading to the cabin is used by mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. This area is popular for hunting big and small game, game birds and waterfowl.Facilities
Piney Guard Station can sleep up to four people. It contains a bunk bed, two cots, storage cabinets, a table and benches, and a woodstove. Skillet, dishware and utensils are provided. A two burner stove and lantern are provided. These require 16.4-oz. propane cylinder bottles, which are not provided and are your responsibility. A picnic table and metal fire ring are just outside the cabin’s door. A vault toilet is located approximately 50 feet from the cabin. Guests can easily gather firewood around the cabin.No drinking water, electricity or trash service is available; guests must bring their own water and garbage bags to pack out trash. Guests should consider packing most items they would bring on a regular camping trip. Dogs are allowed, please pick up after them and do not leave them unattended in or around the cabin.
Natural Features
Piney Guard Station is located at 9,100 feet in the White River National Forest, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, which is near Vail. The cabin is nestled in a forest dominated by aspen, spruce, pine and fir trees. Guests can enjoy views of the Gore Mountain Range from a meadow to the cabin’s north side.Local wildlife, including moose, may be spotted near the lake, which sits across the road from the cabin. The White River National Forest 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 facts
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 10 ft
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: PINEY GUARD
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Piney Guard Station
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | PINEY GUARD | Cabin Nonelectric | — | Gravel | 10 ft | 4 |
Getting there
Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 miles or heading west from Denver about 119 miles to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, you must follow seasonal access directions to the cabin, as detailed below:
Winter season Accessing the cabin during the winter season (November 23rd - May 20th) depends on snowpack. If the snowpack is minimal, you may be able to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the gravel pile parking area at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744 which is approximately 7 miles from the Highway 131. If snow is moderate to low, you may be able to travel to the Forest boundary, where there is a small pull out that can fit 2 vehicles. The Forest boundary is approximately 5.3 miles from the guard station. With low snowpack, you can likely make it to the intersection of FSR 700 and 734 and parking at the gravel pile parking area. You will have to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe on Forest Road #744 for approximately 3 miles to the cabin. During high snowpack, park at the intersection of Forest Road #700 and Highway 131. From here, travel via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes on Forest Road #700 for approximately 7 miles. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 miles to the cabin.
Summer season
During the summer season (May21st - November 22nd), it is highly recommended to use a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the guard station. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and often muddy. This road can damage vehicles that are not suitable for rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or lower clearance 4WD vehicle, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. From this location, one must hike or mountain bike to the cabin with gear and supplies. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV/ATV) is permitted to access the cabin from the intersection of Forest Roads #700 and #744.
39.75750, -106.56056 · 39°45'27.0"N 106°33'38.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Piney Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Piney Guard Station?
- Yes, Piney Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Piney Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Piney Guard Station?
- 10 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Also listed by
Piney Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Piney Guard Station's operator.
Camping near Piney Guard Station
- Meadow Creek #1891 5.7 mi · Facility
- Bocco Mountain Trailhead 7.7 mi · Facility
- Lost Lake #1893 7.8 mi · Facility
- Wolcott Campground 7.8 mi · Campground
- Windy Point Site 8.3 mi · Facility
- State Bridge Recreation Site 8.3 mi · Facility
- Elliot's Ridge #1889 9.3 mi · Facility
- Middle Creek Road #719 (winter) 10.1 mi · Facility
- Beaver Lake #2109 11.3 mi · Facility
- Buffehr Creek #787 11.4 mi · Facility
- East Lake Creek #1880 12 mi · Facility
- Dead Dog #2220 12.4 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 970-827-5715
- 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.
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