Warm River Cabin is located less than 20 mi from Ashton, Idaho, at Warm River Springs. An Idaho fish and game hatchery operated here from the 1930s to the 1950s. The cabin was formerly the hatchery manager's house. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938.
The cabin is open year-round and can be accessed by car in the warmer months. Snowmobiles and cross-country skis are required to access the cabin on a groomed trail from early December through mid-May. The trek from the nearest available parking at Bear Gulch Trailhead to the cabin is 6 mi. Guests should be prepared to bring much of their own gear and supplies to make their stay comfortable.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
The Warm River Cabin offers a serene location with breathtaking scenery, making it a great spot for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Many guests appreciated the cozy atmosphere and well-stocked amenities, as well as recent upgrades like new curtains and games. While there were some issues with privacy due to foot traffic and occasional animal intrusions, guests still enjoyed their stay and expressed a desire to return.
This is a beautiful area that is easy to get to. It was nice for one time but we won't be back. We've stayed in many FS cabins- I'm fine with no bathroom and no electricity but not having running water made things hard. I would recommend to people that if they rent this cabin to rent it during the week. We had visitors to the springs on the weekdays but on Saturday there were hoards of people and the only way they can get to the springs is by walking on the lawn in front of the cabin. It made me feel bad we were there and made the experience uncomfortable.
This is a beautiful area that is easy to get to. It was nice for one time but we won't be back. We've stayed in many FS cabins- I'm fine with no bathroom and no electricity but not having running water made things hard. I would recommend to people that if they rent this cabin to rent it during the week. We had visitors to the springs on the weekdays but on Saturday there were hoards of people and the only way they can get to the springs is by walking on the lawn in front of the cabin. It made me feel bad we were there and made the experience uncomfortable.
I really enjoyed this cabin very much. It is in such a beautiful place and the cabin itself is very nice. I loved the stoves; they kept the cabin warm on a cold night. I found it clean and well stocked. Thanks for this treasure.
I really enjoyed this cabin very much. It is in such a beautiful place and the cabin itself is very nice. I loved the stoves; they kept the cabin warm on a cold night. I found it clean and well stocked. Thanks for this treasure.
Cabin was great, plenty of room for everyone. Fire kept things cozy in the morning and evening, wood stove works well. We didn't use the kitchen wood stove, but it looks functional. We walked the trail, berries everywhere and watched deer feeding on the aquatic plants in the river. We didn't have much luck fishing. There were OHV, but they were usually quiet. Our trip was in early August. Would definitely do it again.
Cabin was great, plenty of room for everyone. Fire kept things cozy in the morning and evening, wood stove works well. We didn't use the kitchen wood stove, but it looks functional. We walked the trail, berries everywhere and watched deer feeding on the aquatic plants in the river. We didn't have much luck fishing. There were OHV, but they were usually quiet. Our trip was in early August. Would definitely do it again.
A bit difficult to get to on the roads (unkept dirt roads) and rustic lodging, for sure but the stove kept us toasty (we were there in late October). It was only us, the cabin and nature. We felt completely alone taking in the sounds and scenery of the cabin and surrounding river. A plus is the cabin is really close to the Upper & Lower Mesa falls which were a nice detour.
A bit difficult to get to on the roads (unkept dirt roads) and rustic lodging, for sure but the stove kept us toasty (we were there in late October). It was only us, the cabin and nature. We felt completely alone taking in the sounds and scenery of the cabin and surrounding river. A plus is the cabin is really close to the Upper & Lower Mesa falls which were a nice detour.
I was traveling through the area on a move, so I was unfamiliar with this wilderness. I chose a cabin for added safety in grizzly country. I came in at night using Google maps, and there were ponds in the middle of the road the whole way from the highway. I was not in an off-road vehicle but also did not know the roads would be impassable to a rented cabin maintained by the forest service. Somehow I made it there with lucky driving, but the cabin was very cold, and as the wood was downstairs in an unlit cellar, I had no idea there was more wood for the stove until the morning. I high centered on the way out after sliding off a bank of mud, alone with my puppy. Miraculously, I found power lines intersecting the road not far from my car. When I called the forest service in a slight panic because I don't know anyone within states of me, they said they couldn't help. "We don't send people." So with a dying phone, I called around more for help, and finally the sheriff's office gave a number for a couple towing companies. It was 300 bucks to just have a pickup pull me from the mud, but I was ecstatic to get out of there. I certainly made mistakes continuing on this journey once I saw the road at night, but I did not know where else to go. The forest service will not help you, even in dire situations. Hunters passed me as I was stranded and urgently warned me of grizzlies, and I could hear a pack of wolves or dogs howling in the distance. When I finally returned to the ranger's office to return the key, I saw multiple forest service pickups sitting in the parking lot. They could have been there so much quicker than a tow, especially given the complexity of backcountry USFS roads. It was difficult trying to communicate my location to the people actually willing to help. I hope one day whatever policies kept the USFS from helping me in any way will change. Receiving no help from them was not just logistically difficult with my dying phone but emotionally jarring as well.
I was traveling through the area on a move, so I was unfamiliar with this wilderness. I chose a cabin for added safety in grizzly country. I came in at night using Google maps, and there were ponds in the middle of the road the whole way from the highway. I was not in an off-road vehicle but also did not know the roads would be impassable to a rented cabin maintained by the forest service. Somehow I made it there with lucky driving, but the cabin was very cold, and as the wood was downstairs in an unlit cellar, I had no idea there was more wood for the stove until the morning. I high centered on the way out after sliding off a bank of mud, alone with my puppy. Miraculously, I found power lines intersecting the road not far from my car. When I called the forest service in a slight panic because I don't know anyone within states of me, they said they couldn't help. "We don't send people." So with a dying phone, I called around more for help, and finally the sheriff's office gave a number for a couple towing companies. It was 300 bucks to just have a pickup pull me from the mud, but I was ecstatic to get out of there. I certainly made mistakes continuing on this journey once I saw the road at night, but I did not know where else to go. The forest service will not help you, even in dire situations. Hunters passed me as I was stranded and urgently warned me of grizzlies, and I could hear a pack of wolves or dogs howling in the distance. When I finally returned to the ranger's office to return the key, I saw multiple forest service pickups sitting in the parking lot. They could have been there so much quicker than a tow, especially given the complexity of backcountry USFS roads. It was difficult trying to communicate my location to the people actually willing to help. I hope one day whatever policies kept the USFS from helping me in any way will change. Receiving no help from them was not just logistically difficult with my dying phone but emotionally jarring as well.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Warm River Cabin
Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Ashton, ID 83420 United States
From Ashton ID, travel east-northeast on Highway 47 (also known as the Mesa Fall Scenic Byway) for approximately 15 mi to the intersection of Highway 47 and Forest Road 150. Turn right onto Forest Road 150 and travel approximately 2.5 mi to the in...
From Ashton ID, travel east-northeast on Highway 47 (also known as the Mesa Fall Scenic Byway) for approximately 15 mi to the intersection of Highway 47 and Forest Road 150. Turn right onto Forest Road 150 and travel approximately 2.5 mi to the intersection of Forest Road 150 and Forest Road 154. Turn right onto Forest Road 154 and travel approximately 1 mi to the intersection of Forest Road 154 and Forest Road 367. Keep left on Forest Road 154 for approximately 1.5 mi to the cabin. The cabin is located across the bridge adjacent to Warm River Springs and Warm River.