OutReserve

Elwood Cabin

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

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.

Number of accommodations: 1

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

5106, Loop: ELWOOD

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 6 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
View Site Details

Reviews (36)

What Guests Are Saying

Elwood Cabin offers a beautiful and cozy alpine setting, with many guests appreciating its charm, cleanliness, and well-maintained facilities. However, there are concerns regarding the 7-day cancellation policy, especially for winter trips affected by unpredictable snow conditions. Some visitors also reported issues with rodents and access challenges due to snow drifts, but overall, many express a strong desire to return.

Review Summary

4.2
36 reviews
5
72.2%
26
4
5.6%
2
3
5.6%
2
2
0.0%
0
1
16.7%
6

Randy C

Verified

October 11, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

We loved the cabin and location, it was a fantastic 3 nights. The cabin is in a perfect location for viewing wildlife as we saw a Moose and deer in the meadow. We also had a surprise on Tuesday morning with snow falling all day which made the stay even better. We stayed nice and toasty warm with the wood burner and supplied firewood. We didn’t realize that the cabin was so well stocked with everything we would need to make our meals. Thanks to all the renters and forest personnel who maintain the Elwood cabin

Randy C

Verified

October 11, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

We loved the cabin and location, it was a fantastic 3 nights. The cabin is in a perfect location for viewing wildlife as we saw a Moose and deer in the meadow. We also had a surprise on Tuesday morning with snow falling all day which made the stay even better. We stayed nice and toasty warm with the wood burner and supplied firewood. We didn’t realize that the cabin was so well stocked with everything we would need to make our meals. Thanks to all the renters and forest personnel who maintain the Elwood cabin

Matthew W

Verified

September 15, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Elwood Cabin is an absolutely lovely old little cabin, very cosy. The location is beautiful with panoramic mountain views and expansive meadows.
Elwood pass is a great daytime adventure if you have the proper vehicle.
My wife and I have stayed here the last two Labor Day weekends in a row (‘22,’23) and it has been a really good way to end the summer.
The value for this cabin with its location
and the provided fire wood is quite high in my opinion. Elwood is a special gem and thank you to everyone that maintains it and leaves it that way.
If you stay here and love the mountains and Mother Nature then you will have found a new favorite place!

Matthew W

Verified

September 15, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Elwood Cabin is an absolutely lovely old little cabin, very cosy. The location is beautiful with panoramic mountain views and expansive meadows.
Elwood pass is a great daytime adventure if you have the proper vehicle.
My wife and I have stayed here the last two Labor Day weekends in a row (‘22,’23) and it has been a really good way to end the summer.
The value for this cabin with its location
and the provided fire wood is quite high in my opinion. Elwood is a special gem and thank you to everyone that maintains it and leaves it that way.
If you stay here and love the mountains and Mother Nature then you will have found a new favorite place!

Michal K

Verified

July 21, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Had a great time at this amazing location. The cabin only sleeps 4 unless you're bringing cots. The bottom bunks did not appear to be foldout to me. Be sure to bring insect repellant, there were lots of mosquitos. When we tried to leave, we discovered that something had chewed through our fuel lines. I had to walk for several miles to get phone reception to arrange a $750 tow. I don't know how you would prevent this, but watch out. It took $2,000 and several days to get us back home.

Michal K

Verified

July 21, 2023 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Had a great time at this amazing location. The cabin only sleeps 4 unless you're bringing cots. The bottom bunks did not appear to be foldout to me. Be sure to bring insect repellant, there were lots of mosquitos. When we tried to leave, we discovered that something had chewed through our fuel lines. I had to walk for several miles to get phone reception to arrange a $750 tow. I don't know how you would prevent this, but watch out. It took $2,000 and several days to get us back home.

Colleen R

Verified

September 19, 2022 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

An amazing place to go with your family away from technology and everyday distractions!

Colleen R

Verified

September 19, 2022 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

An amazing place to go with your family away from technology and everyday distractions!

Darren L

Verified

February 2, 2020 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Elwood was everything that was promised, peace and solitude at 11,650’ in the dead of winter. The only thing I would change would be the length of the wood pieces in the shed; about 4” too long for the new stove. This made it very difficult to load enough wood needed for a cooooold wintry night. Otherwise, if rustic is what you seek, rustic is what you shall find.

Darren L

Verified

February 2, 2020 Stayed at: 5106, Loop: ELWOOD

5

Elwood was everything that was promised, peace and solitude at 11,650’ in the dead of winter. The only thing I would change would be the length of the wood pieces in the shed; about 4” too long for the new stove. This made it very difficult to load enough wood needed for a cooooold wintry night. Otherwise, if rustic is what you seek, rustic is what you shall find.

Location Elwood Cabin

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

Latitude & Longitude: 37.4042 / -106.639

Elevation: 3517 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service