About Piney Guard Station
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
01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
- 4 guests
Site Details
Reviews (31)
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
Dave D
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
You’re only allowed to tell ONE other person about how amazing this place is. It’s already hard enough to get a reservation! :)
Lisa M
VerifiedJanuary 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Amazing, peaceful, and one long ski. Like the other post, beware of the cow. The ranchers warned us so we went around but watch out!
Jeremy H
VerifiedNovember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Exceptional secluded mountain cabin. Well maintained, great view, and very peaceful. The road down is a blast if you have good 4wd. This is a real gem from the forest service.
Richard B
VerifiedOctober 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
a quiet little get-away with decent hiking right out the front door!
driving the last 3 mi is doable in a 4x4, but could be challenging with snow. probably best to call the ranger's office if in doubt of road conditions.
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Incredible cabin, albeit small (~12x~12). Two bunk beds were perfect for my kids (6 and 8), and there was also a folding Coleman cot for an adult to sleep on. Propane stove and lantern both served us well, and there were numerous folding chairs to use around the fire ring. Picnic bench was great for meals. You need to bring your own water. Outhouse about 20 yards from the cabin was functional and met expectations. The ~3 mi road to get to the cabin took us ~1 hour to get up in a 4x4, high clearance Toyota Tundra. You would get stuck in an AWD vehicle. Even if you have a 4x4, if it's not lifted it's very possible you'd damage the bottom of your car if you don't have a skid plate. Very remote and peaceful location. Run into a few people on horseback and ATVs, but they were friendly and respectful. Would definitely come back. Bring bug spray, lots of mosquitos given the proximity to marshy grasslands.
Sara B
VerifiedAugust 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
Very great. As described. The road leading up to it is manageable, especially if it's dry. If it's wet...good luck. But the USFS does a great job maintaining the cabin
Heather H
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
We had our own little piece of Colorado for a night! Beautiful 3 mi walk in to the cabin. Wildflowers out in force!! Great way to get acclimated for our backpacking trip after.
Christy H
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
This place is AMAZING. We were looking for an inexpensive place to stay on our cross country journey and it felt like we found a gem of Colorado in this location. Reading the guestbook felt like we were being welcomed into a secret club. The only problem when booking is that it said nothing about the state of the road. It was only when we received the instructions did we learn that the road is recommended for 4WD in the summer. Our car probably would have made it but we hiked in anyway to not have to find out. The three miles or so up made for a fun backpacking hike with full accommodations at the end. Sucks to have to hike in all your water in the summer but otherwise, a top notch spot!
Brielle P
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
The road getting out there is longer than I expected but SO worth it. This cabin was one of the coolest experiences and I can't wait to go back again this year.
Lauren M
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: PINEY GUARD
The cabin was very rural, it is helpful to bring everything you would camping. They do have 2 padded bunk beds and 2 cot beds. The area surrounding the cabin is gorgeous. It was the most peaceful, quiet trip we have ever taken. No cell phone service, and completely checked out from the world. There seems to be quite a bit of wildlife up near the cabin. We read stories about a black bear, but didn't see any. We did see a fox and baby birds. There were lots of mosquitos and flies when we went in August. Bring bug spray! And the most important recommendation of all, make sure you have 4 wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. We were naive and didn't think much of the "recommended" 4 wheel drive vehicle notes but this is a must if you can't hike in. We have an Acura RDX and my husband and I were so nervous we were going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. It was the scariest drive we've ever made late at night. You'll be fine if you have 4 wheel drive, high clearance-just go slow. Once you've made it to the cabin alive, it is the most serene place you'll ever visit and it was worth the nail biting drive. :)
Location & Directions for Piney Guard Station
Eagle Holy Cross Ranger District Po Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645 United States
Elevation: 2,761 ft
Getting There
<p>Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 mi or heading west from Denver about 119 mi to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 mi. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, yo...
Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 mi or heading west from Denver about 119 mi to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 mi. 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 mi 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 mi 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 mi 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 mi. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 mi 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 mi 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.
Highway access
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: October 18, 2026