BIG ELK GUARD STATION

About BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Overview With a history that dates back to 1907, Big Elk Guard Station is the oldest continuously used administrative site within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, and a delightful setting for guests seeking a unique getaway. For many decades the guard station served as summer headquarters for solitary forest "guards" who built trails, fought forest fires and patrolled the land on horseback. Most recently the site was used to house Forest Service seasonal fire crews. The cabin is one of the few remaining examples of Forest Service log construction in the Forest and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recreation Nearby Fish Lake offers biking, fishing, swimming, paddle / motor boating and hiking opportunities. Fish Lake Trail, High Lakes Trail, Brown Mountain Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness and Mount McLoughlin Trail system are all less than an hour drive away. Facilities Big Elk Guard Station is a rustic log cabin with a main room and a kitchen on the ground floor and two upper-story bunkrooms with one king bed and two twin beds, reached by a double landing stairway. The first floor rooms include a large, comfortable living room with a mortared-rock fireplace and a loveseat sofa. The kitchen has a table and chairs, a dry sink, an electric range and refrigerator. The original fir flooring remains intact. There are electric lights throughout the cabin. The cabin is heated with a wood stove and there are no guarantees of firewood. The supply may run low and what is there may have to be split by the visitor with the tools provided. No water is available at the facility. Visitors must bring plenty of their own water for drinking, cooking and washing. A picnic table and fire ring are available for outdoor dining, and an outbuilding, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, acts as a storage shed for firewood. A vault toilet is located near the cabin, as well as additional space for tent camping.Natural Features Big Elk Guar

How to Get There

Drive east from Butte Falls on the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road #821) for approximately 19 miles to the junction with State Highway #140. Turn right, go .08 miles on Highway #140 to the junction with Forest Service Road #37. Turn left, and travel approximately 4 miles to the junction with the guard station driveway. The station is visible on the left from this location. Turn left, travel through the gate to the guard station. From White City, OR, for an alternative route to Big Elk Guard Station that bypasses the town of Butte Falls, take State Highway 140 traveling east to the Junction with Forest Road 37, or take State Highway 140 traveling west from Klamath Falls, OR to the Junction with Forest Road 37. Turning onto Forest Road 37 traveling south, follow directions as above to the guard station.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Heading to BIG ELK GUARD STATION? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)