OutReserve

Alder Guard Station

Alder Guard Station
Fire Pit/Picnic Table
Front Porch
Front View
Front

About Alder Guard Station

Alder Guard Station is located 2 miles north of the town of South Fork along Alder Creek in the Rio Grande National Forest. The guard station was constructed in 1910 and was the residence and office for the local ranger district. Today the historic cabin is a comfortable getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south central Colorado. Visitors may reserve the cabin for a maximum of five nights to allow others the opportunity to rent the cabin.

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 closed - Opens on May 15

Sites & Availability

1 Site Available

Site
Price
🏠 Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION
10 guests · Campfire
$50.00
/ per night

Reviews (12)

What Guests Are Saying

Alder Guard Station offers stunning views from the front porch and well-maintained facilities, including a spacious cabin with a woodburning stove and ample firewood. The location provides easy access to scenic creek trails, making it a great choice for nature enthusiasts. However, older travelers may find the stairs to the bathroom a bit challenging, and there are no curtains on the windows, which could be a concern for privacy.

Review Summary

4.4
12 reviews
5
58.3%
7
4
33.3%
4
3
0.0%
0
2
8.3%
1
1
0.0%
0

Kingdon P

Verified

December 21, 2025 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

4

Beautiful view from the front porch. All appliances were in good working order. For older travelers needing to get up during the night when nature calls going down the stairs to the bathroom is a challenge.

Sonya L

Verified

May 27, 2025 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

Cabin is large, nice woodburning stove, great stock of firewood. Cute stream meanders out back with an old beaver dam and lodge. It was great to have the cabin because in mid-May, it was cold and windy at night. Thank you, this was a terrific place to stay.

David B

Verified

June 14, 2024 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

Easy access and you can follow the creek for several miles. Nice stay.

Rachel B

Verified

May 27, 2024 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

4

Very cool place to crash for the night that is a step above just staying in a tent. We had low expectatations for the building, so it worked great for us. I got myself all spooked by the fact that there are no curtains on the windows, so at night it's really easy for people to see into the building when the lights are on inside. Otherwise the grounds seem to be well maintained.

David B

Verified

September 24, 2023 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

No problems. Nice mountain trail next to the cabin.

Robert G

Verified

August 30, 2023 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

what a beautiful location, the mountains and 4 wheel drive roads remind us that we truly live in Gods country.

Phillip A

Verified

July 5, 2023 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

Love staying here definitely will come back and stay again.

Annette B

Verified

October 7, 2022 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

4

well used area ,atv and foot traffic alot , cows and a lost horse wandering around, let him in the fence so he wouldn't get ran over by atvs and dirt bikes racing by., Owner showed up after a day took him in his trailer in the pouring rain . love this place ,just needs more ada stuff in the bathroom for us old folks .left a step for someone else to use there under tub.

Annette B

Verified

July 4, 2022 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

2

dirty, floor is warped in bathroom, staring to look drab inside. mouse poo on beds and kitchen stove and counters, pulled stove out was like omg. bleached it, needs to be thoughly cleaned spent most of my time cleaning and not much of anything else ,

Richard W

Verified

September 12, 2021 Stayed at: Alder Guard Station, Loop: ALDER GUARD STATION

5

Great cabin in a great location. Having water and electric we're a bonus as we brought the grandkids

Location Alder Guard Station

Address:
Fsr 610
South Fork, CO, 81154
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 37.7044 / -106.647

Elevation: 2555 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

The combination to the cabin is provided in your confirmation letter. If you have any questions, please call the Divide Ranger District at (719) 657-3321. Office hours are 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday- Friday.

General

Pets are only allowed outside the guard station; please clean up after your pet

General

Do not leave food or trash outside the guard station; bears have been spotted in the area

General

All garbage and food must be packed out; do not burn garbage in the fire pit or wood stove

General

Do not place tents or vehicles on the lawn

General

The guard station is a no-smoking facility

General

Please clean guard station upon departure

General

Make sure guard station is locked upon departure

General

Horses are restricted to the corral area near the barn; only weed free hay/feed for the horses - no grazing allowed; if you bring horses, please contact the District office at (719) 657-3321

General

Forest Service employees use the horse pasture adjacent to the guard station for official duties

General

Learn more about theRio Grande National Forest.

General

Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

General

Occasionally the water well overflows due to ground water pressures. The water then may not test safely. To avoid this you are encouraged to bring spare drinking/cooking water.

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