Johnson Creek Guard Station was built in 1922 and offers a charming mountain respite with modern conveniences. The cabin offers nearly everything needed for a pleasant and comfortable stay.
Peak season for the cabin is typically early June through late September. It can be accessed by most vehicles via dirt and gravel roads, but trailers are not
recommended.
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.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Private Bathroom
Restrooms
Kitchen
Water and Hygiene
Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
Campfire Ring
Pets and Policies
Pet friendly
Cabin Interior
Private Bathroom
Private Shower
Hot Water
Kitchen
Missing information?
Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.
Johnson Creek Guard Station is a well-kept cabin in a beautiful setting, featuring a fully equipped kitchen and hot water, making it a great choice for a relaxing stay. Guests enjoyed activities like alpine lake fishing and dining nearby, with the cabin being pet-friendly. Minor issues included a lack of provided firewood and an overheating heater; however, these did not significantly detract from the overall positive experience.
This past August was the 2nd time we had stayed at Johnson Creek Guard Station. It is convenient for access to Yellow Pine and provides us everything we need. We always find that the cabin is clean and ready for us to stay in.
We always love staying at the Johnson Creek Guard Station! This year was our 3rd year, and it never disappoints. For anyone who has been there before, you should be properly forewarned that the coffee machine and griddle are no longer in the cabin. Bummer! However, we do love the running water, the shower, and the flush toilet. The information and photos on the website are out-of-date, so for anyone who hasn't been there yet, there is a full bed in the main bedroom, 2 twin beds and 2 cots upstairs. Also, this cabin has full electricity, so if you want to wash your hair in the shower and bring a blow dryer, you can, which is great! There are also floor space heaters, so if you get cold at night, you can run those for heat. The kitchen features a regular stove/oven, a fridge, and running water in the kitchen sink. Overall, this is our favorite Recreation.gov Forest Service rental cabin, due to all the amenities in it. This is our 3rd year at the cabin, and both of our kids had their first camping trip here. Make sure to read the log book in the cabin for great ideas of things to do in the area while you are there. We had a great stay!
It was our first time visiting JCGS-what a beautiful spot! The cabin itself is really pretty but could use some upgrades and a really good cleaning. There is plenty of room in the cabin and a huge area outside. There is a flag in the yard but needs a solar light installed so it can be lit up at night. The cabin has everything you need-refrigerator, stove, sink, bathroom and even a shower! Bad planning for the toilet-you can barely sit on it because it is so close to the hot water heater (but still nice to have indoor plumbing). The river is across the street (kind of steep and have to go through the bushes to get to access) but if you want to go fishing or swimming, you are better off taking a drive over to Ice Hole Campground. My Hubby caught 1 trout and 3 salmon at Ice Hole. There are lots of mosquitoes & ants in the area and be warned lots of CHIPMUNKS-you can hear them in the walls at night. Yes there are planes flying over but they are really cool to watch. I am not complaining-the area is AMAZING ..I just want people to know what to expect if they do rent the cabin. Enjoy your stay!
What a gem! The first thing you need to know is that there is no housekeeper. YOU are the cleaning crew, and the next guests experience depends on how well you do your job. The previous guests left the cabin SPOTLESS and it's obvious that the USFS had put a lot of effort and love into maintaining this place, especially when you consider the non-existent budget they have to work with. As far as I know, this is the inky cabin with electricity, flush toilet and a shower in the area. It was so nice to come home from a day of hiking, shower and fix a simple dinner on the stove. We fell in love with the area and the cabin and will book a longer stay next summer. If there were any availability left this summer, I would anarch it up in a heartbeat.
great cabin, has most everything you need, watch out for the toilet and shower, NOT MUCH room sitting down for your knees.
Very clean, beautiful view, I would recommend this cabin, besure to take a drive to Stibnite mine, very interesting drive along the river.
From Cascade, ID, head north on ID-55/Main Street toward McCall, ID. Turn right/east on FH-22/Warm Lake Road. Stay on this road for about 35 mi. Turn left/north on Road 413/Johnson Creek Road. Stay on this road for about 22 mi. The cabin sits on t...
From Cascade, ID, head north on ID-55/Main Street toward McCall, ID. Turn right/east on FH-22/Warm Lake Road. Stay on this road for about 35 mi. Turn left/north on Road 413/Johnson Creek Road. Stay on this road for about 22 mi. The cabin sits on the right/east side of the road. Look for the Forest Service sign.
This is good unpaved road, but there are a few narrow and steep sections with few pull-outs, and there may be some washboard sections. Use low gears. Some sections
of the road are steep.
For additional information, the Cascade District Office is located in Cascade on the north end of town off Highway 55 on the right side of the road.
Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on federal holidays. Please call the office at (208) 382-7400 for information on alternate routes.
Note Warm Lake Summit can be closed due to snow, if so, take FS 474 north to FH48, head east and then south on Johnson Creek Road.
The Johnson Creek Guard Station is accessible via ID-55, which is approximately 15 miles south in Cascade, ID. The directions mention use of FH-22/Warm Lake Road, which connects to ID-55.
Policies & Rules
General
Guests must bring the combination to the lock and directions to the cabin
Cabin is pack-it-in/pack-it-out
The campfire ring can be used, but no large bonfires please
Tents, RVs and motor homes are not allowed at this site
The cabin is accessible by most vehicles but trailers are not recommended
Guests should be aware that there may be air traffic overhead coming to and from a nearby airstrip.
Click here for more information about Boise National Forest
Livestock are not permitted at this site
Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.