Cape Horn Winter Rental

Campground · Idaho · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Challis National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
up to 10
People per site
6,655 ft
Elevation
Cape Horn Winter Rental 6
Photo: SCNF · Recreation.gov

Overview

Cape Horn Winter Rental is located in beautiful Elk Meadow, approximately 16 miles northwest of Stanley, in central Idaho. It sits at an elevation of 6,660 feet. Guests enjoy the area for its endless winter recreation opportunities, including cross-country skiing, back country downhill skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Recreation

The Cape Horn area offers unlimited cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling opportunities in the surrounding meadows, and downhill skiing is available on the slopes behind the cabin. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message.

Facilities

The cabin is open for reservations during the winter only. In the summer, it is used by Forest Service employees as a guard station.

The cabin can comfortably accommodate four people on one double bed and one single bed, each with mattresses, and one couch. More people can use sleeping bags on the floor, but due to the cabin's size, group size is limited to eight people. Guests need to bring their own food, toiletries, towels, bedding and trash bags.

The cabin is equipped with electricity, which powers the lights and a standard four-burner stove and oven, but due to heavy snowfall on power lines, electricity cannot be guaranteed at all times. Be prepared to cook meals on the wood stove if the power is out. Firewood is provided, though it may need to be split.

A table and chairs and additional seating is provided, along with a battery powered lantern and a wooden rack for drying clothes. The water system is turned off during the winter season so the indoor flush toilet and running water are not available. A vault toilet is located behind the station.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated in a stand of lodgepole pines. On clear days, the cabin's front porch affords breathtaking views of the rugged Sawtooth Mountain Range to the south.

The facts

  • Season: 12/15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 1 bookable site
  • Up to 10 people per site
  • Loops: CAPE HORN WINTER RENTAL

Site types

  • 1 Cabin Electric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Cape Horn Winter Rental

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001CAPE HORN WINTER RENTALCabin Electric———10

Getting there

The guard station it is less than two miles by skiing cross-country from State Highway 21 or approximately four miles by following the Stanley-Landmark Snowmobile Trail.

If you are a first time renter, it is important to get detailed directions. To obtain these, click here or call the district office at (208) 879-4100.

44.37274, -115.11898 · 44°22'21.9"N 115°7'8.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in5.74.65.13.82.82.40.70.81.42.74.86.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.4 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 Cape Horn Winter Rental

Can you reserve a site at Cape Horn Winter Rental?
Yes, Cape Horn Winter Rental is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cape Horn Winter Rental have?
1 site.

Also listed by

Cape Horn Winter Rental also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cape Horn Winter Rental's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $40/ night max group size of 8

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Cape Horn Winter Rental

Comments

Contact

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.