Can you reserve a site at Seedhouse Guard Station?

Yes, Seedhouse Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are campfires allowed at Seedhouse Guard Station?

Campfires are allowed at Seedhouse Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Seedhouse Guard Station, Colorado — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Seedhouse Guard Station is located approximately 26 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was constructed in 1933 and offers a unique lodging opportunity for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Routt National Forest.

This historic cabin is available for rent in the fall and winter. Guests can drive directly to the cabin when the roads are clear; however, winter access is only available by snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing over three miles from the end of the plowed road. The cabin offers some amenities, but guests need to pack in several of their own supplies.

Recreation

Trailheads leading to hiking and horseback riding trails are an easy drive from the guard station. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes near the cabin through the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness.

Anglers can fish for trout in the Elk River.

In winter, the area is blanketed by snow for wintertime play. Snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities. All motorized activity, including snowmobiling, is prohibited in wilderness areas.

Facilities

The historic guard station is furnished with two sets of bunkbeds with mattresses and can accommodate up to five guests (3 twin beds, 1 full bed). Other amenities include a propane range, refrigerator, lights, heater, table and chairs, cooking utensils and cookware.

A campfire ring and a picnic table are located outside. An outhouse with vault toilet is nearby. Horses may be kept in the corral or in the pasture in the fall; however, fencing is not provided. Hay must be certified weed-free.

Drinking water and electricity are not available. Guests must provide their own supply of water for cooking, cleaning and washing. In winter, there is a large pot provided for melting snow.

Guests need to provide their own food, headlights or flashlights, sleeping bags, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The guard station is nestled beneath a canopy of fir and pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 feet along North Fork Elk Creek near the Middle Fork Elk River. Mount Zirkel Wilderness is nearby, one of the original areas protected under the 1964 Wilderness Act. The area boasts ecosystems ranging from sagebrush meadows in the lower areas to alpine tundra at high elevations.

Wildlife is abundant near the cabin, including elk, deer and coyote. Migratory birds, squirrels and an occasional black bear find habitat in the forest as well.

Nearby Attractions

Across the road from Seedhouse Campground. Less than 3 miles from several trail heads, many with access to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. Close to the Elk River. Closest store and restaraunts are Clark Store and Glen Eden Resort and Hahn Peak Roadhouse.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 accessible site
Up to 5 people per site
Loops: SEEDHOUSE

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Shade
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Seedhouse Guard Station

Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	SEEDHOUSE	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	5	♿

Getting there

The guard station is located about 26 miles north of Steamboat Springs, CO. From Steamboat Springs, take Highway 40 west and turn right on County Road 129. Head north on 129 (toward Clark) about 18 miles. One mile after Clark, take the first right after crossing the Elk River, Routt County Road 64, which is also Forest Service Road 400. Stay on this for 8 miles and the guard station is behind a locked gate, tucked in some trees on the left, across from the Seedhouse Campground. The last 3 miles is a dirt road and is not maintained in the winter.

Fall access to the guard station is over both paved and gravel/dirt roads. Road conditions are variable and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

Winter access to the guard station is by ski or snowmobile only. Parking is available at the end of county maintenance. The distance from a plowed road to the guard station is approximately 3.5 miles. The main road to the facility is a groomed snowmobile trail, but guests may have to break trail into the guard station.

40.77512, -106.77241 · 40°46'30.4"N 106°46'20.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	4.8	4.2	3.3	3.9	3.0	1.7	1.3	1.6	2.4	3.3	3.6	4.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Recreation.gov reservation & cancellation fees are typically NOT refundable to individuals who voluntarily cancel or change their reservations. If you are unsure how to use Recreation.gov call their reservation line 877-444-6777. Any refund requests made less than 4 days prior to the start date of your reservation will be denied. If the Forest Service cancels a reservation due to fire, COVID, or other safety reasons we will issue full refunds.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Seedhouse Guard Station

Can you reserve a site at Seedhouse Guard Station?: Yes, Seedhouse Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Seedhouse Guard Station have?: 1 site.
Does Seedhouse Guard Station have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Seedhouse Guard Station?: Campfires are allowed at Seedhouse Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Seedhouse Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Seedhouse Guard Station's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$100/night. Five (5) person maximum capacity

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Seedhouse Guard Station

Seedhouse Campground 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO) 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hinman Campground (CO) 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hahns Peak Lake Campground - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO) 12.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Lakes Campground 14 mi · Campground · we watch it
Teal Lake Group Campsite 15.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dry Lake Campground (CO) 16.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Steamboat Lake Parking Lot 9.7 mi · Facility
Hahns Peak Lake Campground 12.5 mi · Campground
Big Creek Lake Boat Access 13.9 mi · Facility
Summit Lake Campground 16.5 mi · Campground
Grizzly Guard Station Interpretive Site 17.7 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 970-870-2299
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Seedhouse Guard Station