Pebble Guard Station
Campground · Idaho · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Caribou National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 50 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 15
- People per site
- 6,284 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Pebble Guard Station is located at the base of Bonneville Peak along beautiful Pebble Creek, a tributary of the Portneuf River. The rustic one-room cabin offers a secluded retreat on four fenced acres, surrounded by high mountain vistas.
The original Pebble Guard Station was built in 1908. The current structure stands at a higher altitude and was built in 1933.
Guests can drive to Pebble Guard Station during warmer months, but it can only be accessed by snowmobile or other snow means in the winter. Those arriving in winter should expect to haul their gear and supplies for about 6 miles on a groomed trail. The cabin supplies most of the comforts of home, especially during the warmer months, but guests may need to bring some additional items.
Recreation
Guests at Pebble Guard Station will find opportunities for recreation year-round. Hunting is a popular pastime, and a nearby beaver pond provides good fishing and wading. Trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles are nearby (Idaho OHV safety message). In winter, the area turns into a snowmobiling playground.Facilities
Pebble Guard Station can accommodate up to six people on the two bunkbeds and folding cots provided.
Cabin amenities include a mudroom with a sink, countertop, and seasonal shower facilities. The main room serves as the kitchen and sleeping room with two bunk beds with mattresses, a wood stove, table with chairs, folding cots, a broom and dustpan, and stove/oven. Propane appliances include lights, stove/oven, and water heater.
The propane heater located in the main room is currently not functional. Guests should come prepared with their own firewood to heat the cabin with the wood stove.
Water is only availble during the summer season. A single vault toilet, campfire ring, grill, lantern post, and picnic table are located outside.
The parking area can accommodate up to 3 RVs. The main access road, Pebble Road, FS #036, is closed after November 15 every year and guests will have to walk, bike, ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile in approximately 6 miles on a groomed trail to the cabin. Winter guests should call the Westside Ranger District to check snow conditions before reserving this cabin from November through May. Winter guests need to bring their own water.
Guests may find limited dishes and cookware. Bedding, towels, first aid and emergency supplies, matches, lanterns, and flashlights are not provided.
Guests are expected to clean the cabin and pack out their trash before leaving. Garbage bags and cleaning supplies are not available.
Pebble Guard Station is managed by Pinnacle Parks Llc under a special use permit with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For questions please contact 208-757-3999 between the hours of 8am and 9pm.
Natural Features
The cabin is located at 6,320 feet on the open foothills of Pebble Basin, which offers expansive views into the high country of Bonneville Peak. This peak is the highest of the Portneuf Range, and the mountains of this range are covered with pine forest and green vegetation.A variety of wildlife inhabits this area, including mule deer, elk, cougars, coyote and black bears (bear safety tips).
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (208) 757-3999.Nearby Attractions
Lava Hot Springs makes a fun day trip from the cabin. Visitors can enjoy a natural hot springs soaking pool, Olympic-sized swimming pool, waterslides and diving platforms. Two 9-hole disc golf courses are linked around the Lava Hot Springs pool complex.Tubing on the Portneuf River is also a very popular activity. Tube rentals are available throughout town.
The facts
- Season: January — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 50 ft
- Up to 15 people per site
- Loops: PGS
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills, shade.
1 campsite at Pebble Guard Station
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | PGS | Cabin Nonelectric | — | Gravel | 50 ft | 15 | 🐾 |
Getting there
Pebble Guard Station is located about 16 miles north of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Just east of Lava Hot Springs, look for the "Pebble Area" sign and turn left (north) onto Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30. Go north on the paved highway for 9 miles to Pebble Creek Road (known locally as Mike's Place or Whiskey Mike's). Turn left (west), across railroad tracks on gravel Forest Road 036. Travel 6.5 miles to the guard station. (This road is closed on November 15th of each year.) Big Springs Campground is 1/2-mile beyond the cabin.
42.76443, -112.08863 · 42°45'51.9"N 112°5'19.1"W
Typical weather
Typically 87°F in Jul, down to 32°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32 | 37 | 49 | 58 | 68 | 77 | 87 | 86 | 76 | 61 | 46 | 34 |
| Low °F | 15 | 18 | 26 | 32 | 39 | 46 | 52 | 51 | 42 | 32 | 24 | 17 |
| Precip in | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.4 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 Pebble Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Pebble Guard Station?
- Yes, Pebble Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Pebble Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Pebble Guard Station?
- 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Pebble Guard Station?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Pebble Guard Station.
- Are campfires allowed at Pebble Guard Station?
- Campfires are allowed at Pebble Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Pebble Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Pebble Guard Station's operator.
Camping near Pebble Guard Station
- Big Springs - Caribou 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Scout Mountain Campground 14.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mink Creek Group Site Campground 16.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Blackfoot Reservoir Campground 25.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Malad Summit Guard Station 29.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Goodenough Creek Campground 12.6 mi · Campground
- Portneuf Gap River Access 13.2 mi · Facility
- Graves Creek Campground 21.3 mi · Campground
- Hawkins Reservoir Campground 21.4 mi · Campground
- Morgans Bridge Campground 22 mi · Campground
- Sage Hen Flats Campground 22.1 mi · Campground
- Trail Creek Bridge Campground 26.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 208-236-7500
- 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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