How much does camping cost at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Camping fees at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta range from $100/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta first-come first-served or reservation?

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta before I book?

Yes! Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta is open January 1 to December 31.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Fire policies at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta: Propane fireplace available; wood-burning not allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta have?

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Pets are not allowed at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Popular activities at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

4.03

60 reviews

2455 HWY 141, TROUT LAKE, WA 98650

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,237 ft

Price

$100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Trout Lake Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,237 ft

Price

$100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Trout Lake Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

$100.00 - $100.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$100 per night for cabin rental during peak season.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$100.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

509-395-3400

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What Campers Say

4.03

Satisfactory

Based on 60 reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulhiking

"User reviews highlight the cabin's historic charm but also raise significant concerns about cleanliness, mice infestations, and maintenance issues. While some users had enjoyable stays, others reported leaving early due to these problems."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

2455 HWY 141, TROUT LAKE, WA 98650

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

2455 HWY 141, TROUT LAKE, WA 98650

Nearby places

Carson (15 miles, approximately 30 minutes)

Cascade Locks (20 miles, approximately 40 minutes)

Portland (approximately 60 miles, 1.5 hours).

Nearby supplies

Supplies such as groceries and camping essentials available in Carson, approximately 15 miles away.

Driving directionsFrom Portland take Interstate 84 east, take Cascade Locks Exit 44 and cross the Bridge of the Gods (toll bridge) to Highway 14 in Washington State. Turn east (right) on Highway 14 and drive 5 miles to the Carson junction with the Wind River Highway. Follow the Wind River Highway through Carson and northwest approximately 14 miles to the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Continue northwest for 1 mile on Forest Road 3065 to the entrance for Government Mineral Springs recreation site.

Accessible from April 15 to November 1 by vehicle. Winter access requires a half-mile trek by skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles from the parking area due to snow-covered roads. Sno-Park permits required from December 1 through April 1.

Best Time to Camp at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

Summer delivers the easiest access and most comfortable conditions, with daytime highs between 60 and 80°F and nights dropping to 40–50°F. Trails open fully, wildflowers bloom in the meadows, and trout fishing improves in the cold streams. Winter closes roads and requires snowshoes or snowmobiles to reach the cabin. Snow blankets the forest, and guests report needing sturdy shoes for icy conditions. The remote location stays quiet even on summer weekends when nearby trailheads see more visitors.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring chinook fishing, waterfalls and lush forest make spring attractive and active season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1 to December 31.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; accessible by vehicle from April 15 to November 1, and only by trekking in winter due to snow.
Current Alerts: Fridge is currently broken. Reports of rodent activity and cleanliness issues. Winter access challenges due to snow conditions.

About Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

This 1937 guard station cabin sits in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, offering a historic retreat beneath old-growth conifers near the Trapper Creek Wilderness. The single rental cabin runs $100 per night and requires a trip down forest roads that can be rough in winter. No cell service for miles. Reviews praise the peaceful setting and trails but warn about mice, cleanliness issues, and maintenance problems.

This campground features a historic guard station cabin for lodging, offering a unique primitive camping experience. Tent or RV camping accommodations are not specified.

Historical Significance

The site drew visitors to therapeutic mineral springs in the early 1900s, when spas offered healing waters and mountain air. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the current guard station in 1937. The cabin preserves that rustic architecture, including a propane fireplace that guests mention in reviews.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the easiest access and most comfortable conditions, with daytime highs between 60 and 80°F and nights dropping to 40–50°F. Trails open fully, wildflowers bloom in the meadows, and trout fishing improves in the cold streams. Winter closes roads and requires snowshoes or snowmobiles to reach the cabin. Snow blankets the forest, and guests report needing sturdy shoes for icy conditions. The remote location stays quiet even on summer weekends when nearby trailheads see more visitors.

ElevationNestled in the mountain forests of the Pacific Northwest, the guard station sits at an elevation that provides cool mountain air and stunning vistas of the surrounding wilderness.

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabin rests at 1,237 feet in a landscape shaped by volcanic activity and glacial carving. Ancient lava flows and steep ridges define the terrain, where Douglas fir and western red cedar grow on precipitous slopes. Streams cut through volcanic rock, and meadows bloom where fire has opened the canopy. Black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, and occasional black bears move through the forest. Late summer brings ripe huckleberries on the hillsides. The Trapper Creek Wilderness borders the property, offering raw Cascade scenery.

Geological RegionThe guard station rests within the volcanic landscape of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where ancient lava flows and glacial activity have sculpted a dramatic terrain of steep ridges and deep valleys. The nearby Trapper Creek Wilderness showcases the raw beauty of the Cascade Range, with its old-growth forests clinging to precipitous slopes, streams carving through volcanic rock, and meadows blooming where fire and time have opened the canopy. This is a landscape shaped by fire and ice, where every trail reveals the powerful forces that created the Pacific Northwest's iconic scenery.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Any time after arrival
no specific hour stated.

Check-out

By departure date
no specific hour stated.

Stay Limit

Maximum 7 consecutive nights allowed per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

The cabin accommodates up to 9 guests.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle cabin with a large kitchen and dining area. The building sits in a secluded spot, though some guests note houses visible from the property. A vault toilet stands outside. The surrounding forest provides natural shade and privacy.

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov online, app, and contact center.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability mentioned; advance reservations required.

Cancellation PolicyReservations may be canceled up to 14 calendar days before arrival for cabins with a $10 cancellation fee and forfeiture of the first night's fee after this period. No refunds for cancellations on the day of check-in.

AccessibilityAccess is challenging in winter as the cabin requires a half-mile trek using skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. Snow ramps or stairs may need to be reinforced due to icy conditions.

Site SizeThe cabin provides spacious accommodations with a large kitchen and dining area. Individual campsites size information is not provided.

PrivacyReviews mention that the cabin is secluded, providing good privacy; however, some note nearby houses visible from the campground.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose winter stays for snow activities and summer stays for easy vehicle access and hiking. Bring additional lighting and water for convenience.

Need help booking Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Guests can engage in varied activities including hiking, fishing, biking, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, and mushroom and huckleberry picking. The cabin's location near Trapper Creek Wilderness adds unique natural experiences.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWinter hazards include icy pathways and snow-covered roads. Wildlife such as bears and cougars may be present. Propane smell inside cabin may bother sensitive individuals.

Active AlertsFridge is currently broken. Reports of rodent activity and cleanliness issues. Winter access challenges due to snow conditions.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyPropane fireplace available; wood-burning not allowed.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly mentioned.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services include Carson National Fish Hatchery and Trout Lake Ranger District.

Trash & RecyclingGuests are required to pack out all trash and recyclables as no trash facilities are available.

Water FeaturesCreek within 300 feet; Falls Creek Falls trail and Soda Peaks Lake a short drive away.

Camp HostCaretaker presence not mentioned; guests must contact Trout Lake Ranger District for assistance.

Weather at Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.0

60 reviews

Satisfactory

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the cabin's historic charm but also raise significant concerns about cleanliness, mice infestations, and maintenance issues. While some users had enjoyable stays, others reported leaving early due to these problems.

Review Summaries

Based on 60 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews praise the cabin's peaceful setting, nearby hiking trails, and unique historic features, such as the propane fireplace and rustic ambiance.

Based on 60 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include mice infestations, cleanliness issues, broken futon frames, inadequate lighting, and the broken refrigerator. Mice droppings were reported on tables, counters, and floors.

Based on 60 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing water, matches, garbage bags, lanterns, cleaning supplies, and sturdy shoes for icy conditions in winter. Reviews also highlight the importance of checking weather...

Based on 60 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter reviews emphasize the challenging half-mile trek and the cabin's cozy warmth despite its dim lighting. Summer reviews highlight the proximity to wilderness trails and berry-picking...

Based on 60 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. “The futons downstairs were so thick with dust that we couldn't breathe while trying to sleep.” 2. “Such a cozy, accommodating cabin. Enjoyed my stay thoroughly!” 3. “Bring water! Big sunny...

Based on 60 reviews