Copper Basin Guard Station
Campground · Idaho · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Challis National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 35 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 7,833 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho.Recreation
Copper Basin offers many recreational opportunities. These include stream and lake fishing, day hikes to high mountain lakes, mountain bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, camping, photography, hunting, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, birding, viewing wildlife, and driving for pleasure.Facilities
The Copper Basin Guard Station is a 900 square foot, two bedroom log cabin that can sleep up to six adults comfortably, with room for eight people total. The cabin comes furnished with one queen bed with mattress, two full sized bunk beds with mattresses, and a queen sized sleeper couch in the living room. Other amenities include a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, propane furnace, propane lights, wood stove, table with benches and chairs, table settings for eight, kitchen tools and cleaning supplies. The bathroom has hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, and a shower.The Copper Basin Guard Station has no electricity, phone service, cell coverage, or internet service. All appliances are powered by propane. Guests need to bring their own food, toiletries, towels, bedding and trash bags. There is no smoking, no candles, and no garbage service. No pets allowed in the cabin. Campfires are allowed only in the metal fire ring that is provided.
Natural Features
Copper Basin is a remote mountain valley with beautiful views, wide open spaces, and mountains in every direction. The Basin is surrounded by both the Pioneer and White Knob mountain ranges, with elevations between 7,500' - 8,000'. Copper Basin has abundant wildlife, numerous streams, and stunning mountain peaks.Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include fishing in the East Fork of the Big Lost River, OHV riding on the Lake Creek Trail, hiking on the Bellas Trail, and horseback riding on the Broad Canyon Trail.The facts
- Season: June 1 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 35 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: COPPER BASIN GUARD STATION
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, shade, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Copper Basin Guard Station
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | COPPER BASIN GUARD STATION | Cabin Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 35 ft | 8 |
Getting there
From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 miles and take a left on the Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 miles on the Trail Creek Road. This road starts as paved and turns to gravel at approximately 12 miles. Turn left at the Wild horse/Copper Basin turnoff, and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles and bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads 135 and 138.
From Ketchum, Idaho, travel north east on the Trail Creek Road, #208, for approximately 23 miles. Turn right on at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles. Bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads #135 and #138.
From Ketchum, Idaho, travel north east on the Trail Creek Road, #208, for approximately 23 miles. Turn right on at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles. Bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads #135 and #138.
43.80917, -113.84306 · 43°48'33.0"N 113°50'35.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.6 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.5 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 Copper Basin Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Copper Basin Guard Station?
- Yes, Copper Basin Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Copper Basin Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Copper Basin Guard Station?
- 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are campfires allowed at Copper Basin Guard Station?
- Campfires are allowed at Copper Basin Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Copper Basin Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Copper Basin Guard Station's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $100.00 per night; Minimum stay is three nights, maximum stay is six nights
Restrictions:
- The guard station has no electricity, phone service, cell coverage, or internet service.
- All appliances are powered by propane.
- Guests need to bring their own food, toiletries, towels, bedding and trash bags.
- There is no smoking, no candles, and no pets allowed in the cabin.
- Maximum number of people is eight. This includes the occupants of any RVs/motorhomes parked in the parking lot.
- Maximum number of vehicles allowed in the parking lot is three.
- No tents or stock are allowed in the yard or parking area.
- Minimum stay is three nights, maximum stay is six nights.
- Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving and locking up.
Camping near Copper Basin Guard Station
- Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site 13.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground 4.1 mi · Campground
- Star Hope Campground 6.6 mi · Campground
- Iron Bog Campground 11.7 mi · Campground
- Big Lost River Access Trail 12.6 mi · Facility
- Wildhorse Campground 12.6 mi · Campground
- Copper Creek/Garfield Campground 14.6 mi · Campground
- Garden Creek Campground 16.1 mi · Campground
- Federal Gulch Campground and Trailhead 18.2 mi · Campground
- Sawmill Campground 18.8 mi · Campground
- Phi Kappa Campground 19 mi · Campground
- Park Creek Campground 20.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 208-588-3400
- 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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