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Piney Guard Station in Colorado
Hard to BookNational Forest

Piney Guard Station

White River National Forest, Colorado

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As of October 2026, Piney Guard Station is a campground in White River National Forest, Colorado with 1 campsite. Piney Guard Station is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Piney Guard Station for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Piney Guard Station is located at 39.7575° N, 106.5606° W.
people allowed on each site
4

Piney Guard Station reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Piney Guard Station

  • Cabin 1

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: hiking, biking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Piney Guard Station, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the PINEY GUARD loop.

SiteTypeSleeps
01Cabin4

About Piney Guard Station

Overview

Piney Guard Station is a rustic cabin that was constructed in the 1930s as a work station for Forest Service crews. This 14 by 22-ft. structure has a single room and is built from logs. It is open both summer and winter with spring and late fall closures.

Recreation

The cabin is conveniently located in an area offering a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Forest Service road leading to the cabin is used by mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. This area is popular for hunting big and small game, game birds and waterfowl.

Facilities

Piney Guard Station can sleep up to four people. It contains a bunk bed, two cots, storage cabinets, a table and benches, and a woodstove. Skillet, dishware and utensils are provided. A two burner stove and lantern are provided. These require 16.4-oz. propane cylinder bottles, which are not provided and are your responsibility. A picnic table and metal fire ring are just outside the cabin’s door. A vault toilet is located approximately 50 feet from the cabin. Guests can easily gather firewood around the cabin.

No drinking water, electricity or trash service is available; guests must bring their own water and garbage bags to pack out trash. Guests should consider packing most items they would bring on a regular camping trip. Dogs are allowed, please pick up after them and do not leave them unattended in or around the cabin.

Natural Features

Piney Guard Station is located at 9,100 feet in the White River National Forest, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, which is near Vail. The cabin is nestled in a forest dominated by aspen, spruce, pine and fir trees. Guests can enjoy views of the Gore Mountain Range from a meadow to the cabin’s north side.

Local wildlife, including moose, may be spotted near the lake, which sits across the road from the cabin. The White River National Forest is also home to elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, Canada lynx and black bear. Birders may see bald eagles, peregrine falcons, Barrow's golden-eye and black swifts.

Rules and notices at Piney Guard Station

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Piney Guard Station on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

FSR 700 is a fluctuating snowline road and is generally over the snow travel (snowmobile, snowshoe, ski/snowboard) only for the majority of the winter season from the intersection if Highway 131 and FSR 700. In lower snow years, it may be possible to drive to the top of Muddy Pass. Call the Ranger Station at 970-827-5715 to check condtions.

To drive the entire way to the guard station, a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is mandatory. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and muddy, which can damage a vehicle that is not suitable to rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or AWD, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin.

Forest Service Route #700, Muddy Pass Road, is a public road that passes through private property and Open Range. You may encounter livestock and livestock protection dogs.

Water is not available at the cabin

Bring your own 16.4-oz. propane cylinders (needed for the stove and lantern, which are provided)

Research the Motor Vehicle Use Map so you know what types of motorized vehicles are allowed on the roads and where snowmobiles are allowed

There is no cell phone coverage in many areas of the forest

Call the Eagle-Holy Cross District for access information: 970-827-5715

Click here for more information about White River National Forest

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.

Piney Guard Station FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Piney Guard Station?

Piney Guard Station is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Piney Guard Station?

Cancellations happen frequently at Piney Guard Station, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Piney Guard Station have?

Piney Guard Station has 1 campsites.

More campgrounds in White River National Forest

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