Jackson Guard Station
4.6125 reviews2505 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO, 81401, USA
Jackson Guard Station
$75.00 - $75.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
The nightly rate for the cabin during peak season (January 01 - December 31, 2025) is $75. Additional fees include a $10 service fee for cancellations or changes and a late cancellation penalty that forfeits the first night's fee.
About this campground
Tucked away in a pristine aspen grove at 9,000 feet, Jackson Guard Station invites you to step back in time to a simpler era of mountain living. This authentic Forest Service cabin, once home to hardworking ranger crews, now offers adventurers a chance to experience true wilderness solitude near the sparkling waters of Silver Jack Reservoir. Wake to the whisper of aspen leaves, spend your days exploring endless trails by foot or ATV, cast a line into crystal-clear waters, or track elk through golden meadows. When winter transforms the landscape into a snow-covered wonderland, strap on snowshoes for magical forest explorations. While the cabin provides cozy shelter with essential amenities, its lack of electricity and running water ensures an authentic backcountry experience that reconnects you with nature's rhythms.
Jackson Guard Station offers a compact range of accommodations focused on rustic cabin rental for small groups. No options for tent, RV, or group camping are explicitly mentioned.
Historical SignificanceJackson Guard Station stands as a living testament to the Forest Service's storied past, when dedicated crews lived and worked in these remote outposts to protect and manage America's wild places. Built to house the rangers who patrolled vast wilderness areas on horseback, maintained trails, fought fires, and served as the first conservationists of these precious lands, the cabin's weathered logs hold countless untold stories. Today, staying here connects you to this proud legacy of land stewardship, offering a glimpse into the rugged lifestyle of those who helped preserve these mountains for future generations.
Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Jackson Guard Station with its own spectacular palette. Winter wraps the cabin in a pristine blanket of snow, creating a snowshoer's paradise where every step reveals untouched beauty. Spring awakens the forest with wildflower blooms and rushing streams. Summer offers a cool mountain refuge where temperatures rarely climb above the 70s, providing sweet relief for those fleeing scorching valley heat. But perhaps autumn steals the show, when thousands of aspens burst into golden flames, creating a photographer's dream landscape that draws visitors from around the world to witness nature's grand finale.
ElevationPerched at 9,000 feet where the air is crisp and pure, Jackson Guard Station offers a true high-country experience. At this elevation, summer days bring refreshing temperatures in the 60s and 70s while nights dip cool enough for campfire gatherings and cozy blankets. The thin mountain air sharpens your senses, making colors appear more vivid and stars shine with extraordinary brilliance. This lofty setting means snow can linger into late spring and return as early as September, creating an extended season for winter enthusiasts.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to a symphony of quaking aspen leaves dancing in the morning breeze, their white trunks standing like sentinels around your mountain hideaway. Jackson Guard Station rests in an enchanted grove of these iconic trees, their canopy filtering sunlight into a magical dappled pattern. Just beyond your door, Silver Jack Reservoir mirrors the sky and surrounding peaks in its calm waters, while the dramatic cliffs of High Mesa rise majestically to the west. The melodic Cimarron River sings its way toward the reservoir, providing a natural soundtrack to your stay and promising excellent fishing holes for those who know where to look.
Geological RegionJackson Guard Station occupies a spectacular setting where mountain ecosystems converge at the southeastern edge of Silver Jack Reservoir. This geological wonderland sits in the shadow of High Mesa's ancient volcanic cliffs, where millions of years of uplift and erosion have carved a landscape of stunning contrasts. The cabin's small aspen grove thrives in rich soils deposited by centuries of seasonal flooding from the Cimarron River, which still meanders through wildflower meadows before joining the reservoir's azure waters. At 9,000 feet, you're positioned perfectly to explore the transition zone between montane and subalpine environments, where diverse habitats support everything from elk and deer to black bears and golden eagles.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThis facility does not meet accessibility standards, as clearly stated in authoritative sources.
Sites SizeThe cabin is described as spacious and well-laid out, suitable for up to four guests.
Sites PrivacyThe cabin is set back 100 feet from the road, offering privacy despite traffic concerns noted by some reviewers.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring lanterns and flashlights for light, as the cabin lacks electricity. Firewood is plentiful in the woodshed during winter months. The cabin is best suited for four guests for comfort.
Best CampsitesThe Jackson Guard Station cabin is the only site available.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
10:00 AM
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights during a visit.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Cabin accommodates up to four guests.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutSingle cabin site located approximately 100 feet from the road.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen during the year-round season, January 01 - December 31.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov.
Walk-in AvailabilityReservations are required for this cabin. Walk-in availability is not noted.
Cancellation PolicyChanges to reservations may incur a $10 fee, and cancellations less than 14 days before arrival for cabins incur a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiture of the first night's fee.
Accomodation available
Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
The Jackson Guard Station area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities year-round. In summer, visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, ATV riding, and wildlife viewing. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat biking, with access only via a 3.5-mile trail.
Hiking
Numerous trails surround the station, including the East Fork and Middle Fork trails noted for scenic beauty. One reviewer stated: "The Middle Fork trail is stunning."Fishing
Fishing is popular at Silver Jack Reservoir and nearby rivers. One review noted catching trout at Beaver Lake and Silver Jack Reservoir.Biking
Winter fat biking is highlighted among the activities available. Technical single-track dirt biking is also popular in the area.Boating
Non-motorized boating such as kayaking and canoeing can be enjoyed at Silver Jack Reservoir.Wildlife viewing
Wildlife such as mule deer, elk herds, hummingbirds, chipmunks, and robins are frequently seen around the cabin.Winter Activities
Winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing along the 3.5-mile trail to the cabin.Water Sports
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boating are popular recreational activities at Silver Jack Reservoir.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfire ring available outside the cabin. Collection of firewood is not permitted in summer months.
Hazards
General hazardsBears frequent the area, requiring food to be stored in approved containers or locked inside vehicles. Guests should be cautious of wildlife and the risk of hantavirus when visiting remote cabins.
Weather forecast
69
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 43%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 6.4 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Emergency services are likely available in Montrose, CO (approximately 1-hour drive).
Good to know
Peak season datesJanuary 01 - December 31, 2025.
Trash and recyclingGuests must pack in and pack out their garbage, as this is a self-maintained facility.
Proximity to water featuresNear the southeast shores of Silver Jack Reservoir and the Cimarron River.
Common complaintsNoise from ATV and dirt bike traffic during peak times and occasional difficulty obtaining the entry code.
Campground Map
2505 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO, 81401, USA
Driving directionsFrom Montrose, take Highway 50 east for about 20 miles. Turn right (south) onto County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left. From Gunnison, take Highway 50 west for roughly 43 miles. Turn left on County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left. In winter, park in parking lot before the Forest Boundary and ski, snowshoe or snowmobile up the road for 3.5 miles.
The access road is remarkably scenic but requires winter access via snowmobile, cross-country skiing, or snowshoes due to a 3.5-mile trail. The summer road accessibility appears straightforward, and no severe conditions are noted.Nearby places
Montrose (approximately 1 hour drive)
Ridgway (approximately 1 hour drive)
Gunnison (approximately 1.5 hours drive).
Nearby supplies
Supplies can be obtained in Montrose, CO, which is approximately a 1-hour drive from the campground.
Camper Reviews
4.6
25 reviews
Jackson Guard Station is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
While most reviewers praised the cabin's scenic location, solitude, and well-maintained amenities, complaints about road traffic and noise from ATV/dirt bikes were noted. Seasonal variations significantly impact the experience, with winter offering quieter stays.
Review Summaries
Based on 25 reviews
What Campers Love
Users enjoyed the cabin's cleanliness, wood stove heating, availability of firewood, and proximity to Silver Jack Reservoir and trails. "The cabin itself is cozy but well stocked; there were just 2...
Based on 25 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Several reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with road traffic and ATV/dirt bike noise during peak summer months. "It made it ridiculous to try to sit on the bench in front of the cabin and enjoy...
Based on 25 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Campers recommend bringing lanterns, extra batteries, fire-starting materials, and paper towels. One reviewer noted: "Bring your own garbage bags; it's a pack-in, pack-out facility."
Based on 25 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Winter stays are quieter, while summer months may involve increased road traffic and noise. Fall is particularly popular among photographers for vibrant foliage.
Based on 25 reviewsCamper Quotes
"The cabin was stocked very well with washable plates, bowls, silverware, and cookware," and "The Middle Fork trail is stunning," are some highlights from user reviews.
Based on 25 reviewsSite-Specific Reviews
Site-specific reviews primarily focus on the cabin itself (site 001). Positive comments include its privacy and scenic surroundings, while negative remarks highlight ATV/dirt bike activity.
Based on 25 reviewsAccessibility Features
No reviews specifically address accessibility features, consistent with the authoritative note that the facility does not meet accessibility standards.
Based on 25 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are not allowed at Jackson Guard Station, as explicitly stated in authoritative sources.
Based on 25 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025