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About Piney Guard Station
Number of accommodations: 1
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Cabin Interior
- Sleeping Capacity
- Heating
Views and Setting
- View
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01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Site Details
Reviews (29)
What Guests Are Saying
Piney Guard Station offers a rustic and fun cabin experience with incredible views and a well-stocked interior, making it ideal for a cozy getaway. Guests appreciated the cleanliness, warmth, and helpfulness of the staff, who ensured a comfortable stay. However, access can be challenging during low snow years due to road plowing, and some guests noted the need for better cleaning maintenance and equipment for wood preparation.
What Guests Are Saying
Piney Guard Station offers a rustic and fun cabin experience with incredible views and a well-stocked interior, making it ideal for a cozy getaway. Guests appreciated the cleanliness, warmth, and helpfulness of the staff, who ensured a comfortable stay. However, access can be challenging during low snow years due to road plowing, and some guests noted the need for better cleaning maintenance and equipment for wood preparation.
Review Summary
Ken W. B
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
The cabin is rustic simple and fun.
Devin W
VerifiedNovember 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Amazing!
Kyle A
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Perfect and everything was explained well and knew what I was getting into. Very permeative cabin. If they would install starlink there it would be a 5 star
Abigail T
VerifiedFebruary 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
We couldn’t go because there was not enough snow on the road so we could snowmobile in. They’re plowing the road For logging operations so now that really makes it impossible for people to use it especially on a low snow year. This happened last year too and even booking later in the season we still couldn’t go because of the plowing, impossible to
George L
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
It was incredible. The Forest Service staff was coming out of the woods as we were going into them, and we chatted for a bit. They made sure we were prepared and had everything we needed for a safe snowshoe trip to the cabin.
Once at the cabin we found it fully stocked with wood, incredibly clean and organized, with plenty of equipment and a new stove for warmth. The staff even shoveled a pathway to the wood pile and to the outhouse for us so we didn't have to do it ourselves! Five star treatment!
The ONLY thing I might recommend is some sort of saw that might be usable by those who rent the cabin (a small chainsaw), as it is very hard to chop the knotty wood in order to restock the wood chest for the next renters. We did as much as we could, but the logs were frozen solid and sometimes frozen to each other. It was VERY hard to chop the wood into portions that would fit in the stove. Something to address this would be very welcome.
Otherwise, the cabin was safe, warm, and truly amazing.
The stuff of dreams.
Thank you so much for the work you do!
Amy H
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
what a cool opportunity to stay in an old fire lookout tower in the national forest. there was plenty of firewood which made it easy to get warm quickly. The cabin was pretty dusty, not well swept and all of the surfaces and windows need a really good clearning - under the bunk beds looked like they hadn't been swept in months, the place in general should probably get a decent cleaning 1-2 times/month. I realize that each camper is responsible for cleaning up after their party, but you can't rely on every party to do the right thing or have the same level of standards.
Teia S
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
A beautiful little cabin in the middle of the woods with incredible views of the surrounding forest and mountains. It's a single, small room with a bunk bed of single beds and two folding cots you can set up for a total of up to 4 people. I think that's a little crowded though and that it's perfect for 1-2 people. The supplies inside fluctuate (like the number of utensils/bowls/plates or how many spare CO2 canisters there are. So, I'd recommend bringing the complete list suggested on this website. It's either a 3 mile hike in on the forest service road carrying your gear, or you can drive in with a 4x4 car but beware it can get pretty muddy and rutted. I definitely plan to be back!
Teia S
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
A beutiful and remote place!
Mack K
VerifiedAugust 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Our second time to this cabin! Well maintained and well stocked. The road has been improved since the last time, but still requires high clearance 4x4, especially if it’s rained anytime recently. The bugs were more prevalent this time so don’t forget the bug spray!
fernando b
VerifiedMarch 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
It was an awesome trip! More challenging than expected for sure the walk due not used to snowshoes but totally worth it! Road was closed so walk was about 5.5 miles one way, snowshoes needed all the way back due storm, cabbin very nice and well equipped! Lots of wood, very nice views!
Location Piney Guard Station
Address:
Eagle Holy Cross Ranger District Po Box 190
Minturn, CO, 81645
United States
Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 miles or heading west from Denver about 119 miles to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, you must follow seasonal access directions to the cabin, as detailed below:
Winter season Accessing the cabin during the winter season (November 23rd - May 20th) depends on snowpack. If the snowpack is minimal, you may be able to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the gravel pile parking area at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744 which is approximately 7 miles from the Highway 131. If snow is moderate to low, you may be able to travel to the Forest boundary, where there is a small pull out that can fit 2 vehicles. The Forest boundary is approximately 5.3 miles from the guard station. With low snowpack, you can likely make it to the intersection of FSR 700 and 734 and parking at the gravel pile parking area. You will have to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe on Forest Road #744 for approximately 3 miles to the cabin. During high snowpack, park at the intersection of Forest Road #700 and Highway 131. From here, travel via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes on Forest Road #700 for approximately 7 miles. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 miles to the cabin.
Summer season
During the summer season (May21st - November 22nd), it is highly recommended to use a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the guard station. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and often muddy. This road can damage vehicles that are not suitable for rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or lower clearance 4WD vehicle, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. From this location, one must hike or mountain bike to the cabin with gear and supplies. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV/ATV) is permitted to access the cabin from the intersection of Forest Roads #700 and #744.
Piney Guard Station is accessible via I-70, which is approximately 25 miles to the south, with access via Highway 131 north from the town of Wolcott.
Elevation: 2761 feet
29 mi drive to downtown Minturn (about 54 min)
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: September 4, 2026