Elwood Cabin
Elwood Cabin Wood Shed
Front of Elwood Cabin
Elwood Vista
Elwood Cabin Outhouse

Featured amenities

Bedrooms Bedrooms
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity

About Elwood Cabin

Elwood Cabin sits in a saddle along the San Juan Mountains overlooking an open meadow, offering guests a unique lodging opportunity. The cabin was built in 1911 by the Mountain States Telephone Company as a "line shack" to support crews maintaining the transcontinental telephone line. Remnants of this old telephone line are still found along Iron Creek to the southeast. The cabin was also used as a Forest Service Station from 1950 until 1962, serving as living quarters for Forest Service employees who worked on numerous projects in the area. Although the phone line has been abandoned, today the cabin is a high-altitude getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south-central Colorado. During summer months the cabin can be accessed by motorized travel. During winter months access to the cabin is by snowmobiles, cross country skiing or snow shoeing.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Jun 1 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Bedrooms Bedrooms
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Firewood Available
Safety and Security

Safety and Security

  • Fire Extinguishers

Cabin Interior

  • Toilet Type
  • Bedrooms
  • Sleeping Capacity
  • Heating

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

5106, Loop: ELWOOD

🏠 Cabin
  • 4 guests
  • Pet Friendly

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews

43 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Elwood Cabin offers a beautiful, rustic retreat in a serene mountain setting, appreciated for its comfort and charm. Guests praise its cleanliness and well-stocked amenities, as well as the cozy wood stove that keeps the cabin warm even in cold weather. While there are some concerns regarding pests and access issues, many visitors express a strong desire to return, highlighting the cabin's appeal for those seeking a unique escape into nature.

Based on guest feedback

4.2

Overall rating

Based on 43 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 72.1% (31)
4 stars 7.0% (3)
3 stars 4.7% (2)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 16.3% (7)

Showing 43 reviews

Mark B

Verified

October 1, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Always a great stay...unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. The only downside to the cabin is there is dispersed camping close by and there were generators that ran most of the night.

Helpful

Sarah W

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

I’ve been coming here for years. This was the first time I experienced the cabin overrun with both mice and rats. There were feces throughout the cabin when I arrived and I cleaned them up. All night, rodents crawled in and out of the ceiling and I could see where previous guests had stuffed plastic bags into the holes. Saw the biggest rat of my life. In the morning, feces all over the burners and counter. I was supposed to stay three nights and I left the next morning because I got no sleep and was grossed out. Extremely disappointing. Hope they will eradicate the rodents and make the necessary repairs to the cabin. Also noticed duct tape throughout. Poorest condition I’ve seen the cabin in five years. Needs some TLC!

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Becca S

Verified

August 31, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

The cabin was very clean and well stocked. Thank you very much for taking such good care of the cabin and making our visit very comfortable.

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Tim C

Verified

August 23, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Historic, well maintained and situated in a beautiful location. Great stay!

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john k

Verified

August 18, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Our first overnight at Elwood after drving past many times.

Beautiful spot, comfortable cabin, mice were not a problem, but I did spray the truck tires and wheel wells with Mighty Mint. Fished the local creeks and got to 3rd base on the Colroado trout slam.

Somebody needs to bring a steel and a plastic spatula for the kitchen.

Helpful

Christine K

Verified

June 15, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Loved the history of this little cabin, we love our time of the beaten path out in the wild!!

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Tanesha R

Verified

June 13, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

We stayed at Elwood Cabin for three nights in early June and had a wonderful experience. The cabin is rustic, comfortable, and it is exactly what we were looking for: a quiet mountain retreat away from crowds. The one room cabin is equipped with bunk beds (twin), a wood stove, propane stove and lighting, and basic cooking supplies. It is clearly well cared for by is many visitors and caretakers.
The setting is beautiful. Access was straightforward in dry summer conditions, though the roads could be rough and muddy when wet, so checking conditions before arrival is a good idea.
A few things future visitors should know: the cabin is at high elevation, nights can be cold even in summer, and the top bunks can be quite warm and dry compared to the lower beds. A small battery fan and extra water will make the stay more comfortable for those on top.
We love the cabin and can't wait for the next trip up!

Helpful

Tiffery D

Verified

January 29, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

For two years straight I have rented this cabin and not been able to go because of not enough snow. The 7 cancelation policy needs to be revised because this is a snowmobile trip in the winter and if there is too much snow to drive and not enough to snowmobile then you can’t make a judgment call 7 days in advance. I have lost money two years now because we didn’t know if we could go or not until a couple days in advance. Hopefully you can amend your policy on this or create exceptions based on accessibility. Thanks!

Helpful

Tiffery D

Verified

January 29, 2026 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

For two years straight I have rented this cabin and not been able to go because of not enough snow. The 7 cancelation policy needs to be revised because this is a snowmobile trip in the winter and if there is too much snow to drive and not enough to snowmobile then you can’t make a judgment call 7 days in advance. I have lost money two years now because we didn’t know if we could go or not until a couple days in advance. Hopefully you can amend your policy on this or create exceptions based on accessibility. Thanks!

Helpful

Scott B

Verified

October 6, 2025 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Beautiful, high alpine setting! Loved the charm and scenery. Cozy and warm with the wood burning stove, even with sub-freezing outside temps. Many thanks to the previous occupants who left the cabin and outhouse spotless and organized - we paid it forward and did the same. Will definitely return - highly recommend for a rustic stay!

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Location & Directions for Elwood Cabin

15571 County Road T.5, La Jara, CO 81140 United States

Elevation: 3,517 ft

Getting There

From Del Norte, take U.S. Highway 160 west to South Fork. Continue west on U.S. Highway

160 for 8 mi to Park Creek Road. Travel 15 mi on Park Creek Road to Summitville

Road. Turn right on FSR 380, the cabin is about 2 mi on the left.

From the j...

Nearest town

La Jara, CO - 75 mi

About over 2 hr (124 min) to downtown

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Population: 522

Elevation: 7,605 ft

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