Big Elk Guard Station

Big Elk Guard Station sits beside Big Elk Meadow, only a few miles south of Fish Lake (shown above) in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Built in 1929, replacing an older cabin, the current 2-story, log cabin served any years as a base for "forest guards" who patrolled the area, fought forest fires, and constructed trails. Today it is offered as a rental cabin from May through October. It has a maximum occupancy of 10 people.

Big Elk Guard Station, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon

Guard Station Features

The Big Elk Guard Station is a rustic cabin. It features a main room and a kitchen on the ground floor and 2 bunkrooms upstairs with a king bed and two twin beds. In the main room guests discover a stone fireplace with a wood stove tucked in its cavity. A loveseat sofa is available. In the kitchen are a table, chairs, a dry sink, and an electric range and refrigerator. Pots and cooking utensils are provided. Electric lights are throughout the cabin. There is no water in the cabin, so guests should plan to bring enough for all their uses, including drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Water is available at nearby North Fork Campground. The firewood supply may be low and visitors may have to split wood.

Outside are a picnic table, campfire ring, and a nearby vault toilet. Firewood is stored in a wood shed. Around the cabin there is room for tents. The yard is fenced with a gate. The cabin is situated in a forest of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Shasta red fir and Douglas fir. From the meadow visitors can view 9,495-foot Mt. McLoughlin.

What Guests Need to Bring

Visitors to Big Elk Guard Station need to bring a good supply of water. They also will need to provide their own bedding, extra toilet paper, flashlights, first aid kit, washcloths and towels, silverware, wine opener, dish soap and garbage bags. Guests must clean the cabin upon departure and take everything they brought, including garbage and food.

Read full details and check for any updates: National Forest: Big Elk Guard Station and Recreation.gov - Big Elk Guard Station

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Big Elk Guard Station Basics
Big Elk Guard Station Location:	From Butte Falls go east on Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway 19 miles to Highway 140, turn right on 140 and go less than a mile to Forest Service Road #37. Go left for 4 miles and watch for Guard Station on the left (may be hard to see through trees).
Elevation:	4,500 feet
Nearby Gateway Cities:	Butte Falls - 21 miles Ashland - 26 miles Medford - 38 miles
Open - Closed:	Open May through October, depending on weather
Max. People:	10
Maximum Number of Vehicles:	4
Pets:	Pets are welcome.
Operated by	Rogue River-Siskiyou Natioial Forest
Information	High Cascades Ranger District: (541) 560-3400 M-F, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Big Elk Guard Station Reservations
Reservations Available	Big Elk Guard Station Reservations are available up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Wheelchair accessible sites:	None
Maximum length of stay:	14 nights
Cabin Rental Fees:	$75 per night
Cabin Reservations:	Big Elk Guard Station Reservations
Check-in, check-out:	Check-in: 2:00 PM Check-out: 11:00 AM

Big Elk Guard Station Amenities
Cabin Interior:	King bed and two twin beds, stone fireplace with a wood stove tucked in its cavity, loveseat sofa, dining table, chairs, a dry sink, and an electric range and refrigerator. Pots and cooking utensils are provided. Electric lights are throughout the cabin.
Cabin Exterior:	Vault toilet, campfire ring, picnic table, parking for 4 vehicles, space for tent camping
NOT included:	Visitors need to bring WATER, bedding (sleeping bags or linens and blankets and perhaps a foam roll to soften up the beds), pillows, towels, dish towels, matches, food containers (mice proof), eating utensils, wine opener, extra toilet paper, paper towels, flashlights, outdoor chairs, garbage bags.
Attractions near Big Elk Guard Station:	Stroll out into the meadow (when it is dry) for views of Mt. McLoughlin and the edge of a 20,000-year-old lava flow from Brown Mountain. Watch for wildlife such as elk, blacktail deer, bald eagle and other bird species. Possible rare sightings of a mountain lion or black bear. Drive up to Fish Lake for the day for swimming, fishing, slow-speed boating, and kayaking. Visit the Fish Lake Resort. Set out on a hike along the North Fork Little Butte Trail, the Brown Mountain South Trail, and the Beaver Dam Trail Shop Amazon for Trout Fishing Best Sellers