Jackson Guard Station
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Jackson Guard Station is a great destination for anything from a weekend getaway to a week-long hunting trip. The cabin was originally used as a guard station that housed Forest Service work crews. The cabin's access road is remarkably scenic, making for an impressive arrival.
In summer months, the cabin sets the stage for a wide array of activities. Recreation ranges from thrilling off-road vehicle riding to amazing scenery viewsing,hiking,and rewarding fishing.
Winter access is by snowmobile, cross country skiing or snowshoes,and fat bikes only along a 3.5-mile trail.
Visitors can expect a rustic cabin set back roughly 100 feet from the road, providing privacy and solitude. Amenities include wood stove. The kitchen includes cabinet space and some dishes are provided. The cabin has two bedrooms and four twin-size beds. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located just outside the cabin.
No electricity or running water is available. Guests should bring drinking water, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, food, towels and toiletries.
In winter, kettles are provided to melt snow for water. A snow shovel and firewood is provided.
Need to Know
ENTRY is by combination lock; CONTACT the ranger district at (970) 240-5300 for combination prior to arrival.
Must call between Monday and Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm MST to get the code, excluding federal hollidays. Check in is after 12:00PM and Check out is by 10:00AM.
- No drinking water available
- Collection of firewood is not permitted; please bring firewood in summer months; in winter, firewood is provided
- Please bring garbage bags; this is a 'pack in-pack out' facility
- Please clean cabin before leaving; cleaning supplies are provided
- No discharge of firearms within 150 yards of cabin
- No smoking allowed
- No pets allowed
- This facility does not meet accessibility standards
- Bears frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Winter Cabin rental:
Access to cabin in winter months by snowmobile, cross-country skiing, snowshoes only. There is a parking lot before the Forest Boundary to unload snowmobiles and park your vehicles. Mileage to cabin from parking lot is approximately 3.5 miles. Two kettles are provided to melt snow for water. Firewood is provided for the winter months only. Snow Shovel provided.
Natural Features
Situated near the southeast shores of Silver Jack Reservoir, Jackson Guard Station sits in a small aspen grove at 9,000 feet elevation. The cabin is at the base of High Mesa, near where the Cimarron River flows into the reservoir.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the San Juan Mountains, Alpine Plateau, Uncompahgre Wilderness, Silver Jack Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The cabin is about an hour's drive from Montrose or Ridgway, and an hour and a half from Gunnison.
Recreation
Activities abound, with hiking, technical single track dirtbiking, ATV/OTV riding, snowshoing, cross country skiing. Hunting and fishing are popular in the area
Contact Information
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2505 South Townsend Avenue Montrose CO 81401
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (970) 240-5300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From 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.
