Copper Basin Guard Station is a favorite cabin for returning guests, praised for its cleanliness and welcoming atmosphere. The surrounding area offers stunning views, especially during fall, and numerous trails and high mountain lakes to explore. Guests highly recommend taking the loop road and visiting Wildhorse to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife, including moose.
Nice place. Everything worked well. The views are breathtaking. Perfect place to escape the rat race. I've been backpacking and fishing in Copper Basin for at least 25 years. Never lets me down. Rented the guard station 4 or 5 times. It's very comfortable as I move into my senior years. We'll try to keep returning.
We have stayed at this cabin many times, it is our favorite.
We were shocked when entering the cabin, it was as if a professional maid had cleaned it.
We love this area because there are so many sights to see in every direction.
Take the loop road, the views are fantastic especially the Fall Colors.
Cross over to Wildhorse, see the views, see the moose.
So many trails and high mountain lakes.
I can’t say enough for this area. Lost River area is great.
Blaine and Marion Fife
We have stayed at this cabin many times, it is our favorite.
We were shocked when entering the cabin, it was as if a professional maid had cleaned it.
We love this area because there are so many sights to see in every direction.
Take the loop road, the views are fantastic especially the Fall Colors.
Cross over to Wildhorse, see the views, see the moose.
So many trails and high mountain lakes.
I can’t say enough for this area. Lost River area is great.
Blaine and Marion Fife
We have stayed at this cabin many times, it is our favorite.
We were shocked when entering the cabin, it was as if a professional maid had cleaned it.
We love this area because there are so many sights to see in every direction.
Take the loop road, the views are fantastic especially the Fall Colors.
Cross over to Wildhorse, see the views, see the moose.
So many trails and high mountain lakes.
I can’t say enough for this area. Lost River area is great.
Blaine and Marion Fife
We have stayed at this cabin many times, it is our favorite.
We were shocked when entering the cabin, it was as if a professional maid had cleaned it.
We love this area because there are so many sights to see in every direction.
Take the loop road, the views are fantastic especially the Fall Colors.
Cross over to Wildhorse, see the views, see the moose.
So many trails and high mountain lakes.
I can’t say enough for this area. Lost River area is great.
Blaine and Marion Fife
We Stayed 3 Nights in September and just loved it.
We Drove in from Ketchum ID and bought supplies there. Don't mess around, assume you need to bring everything because its two hours of washboard road back to the store.
During our stay, it was very dry so we used FS142 to make a shorter route out to Mackay, ID.
No CELL, but take FS142 to the Top of Corral Creek Summit. Take the short FS747 to look out east and you will also get CELL Service.
Cabin was very clean, almost everything worked including hot water and stove and propane lights with extra mantels.
Furnace would not light and we were worried until we realized the propane lights gave off plenty of heat to warm the place up to 75.
Beds were hard, but clean and we put on covers and sheets and warm comforters for the cold night. Never had to use the wood stove.
Amazing Dark Skies and fenced area around cabin and larger fence around area kept the cows at a good distance.
We made three full meals using all the cookware and stove.
Tons of hiking west along Copper Basin Loop Road. Hunters on ATVs were around, but respectful and many trails were horses and people only and we had them to ourselves. Nearby Trails include Goat, Betty and Baptie Lakes via Broad Canyon, Standhope Peak Loop, Big Black Dome and others.
Bring a Map or download offline maps so you know the area and know the roads.
We cleaned and left it as good or better than we arrived including using the sweeper.
One of my favorite USFS Cabin Trips. Will be back.
We Stayed 3 Nights in September and just loved it.
We Drove in from Ketchum ID and bought supplies there. Don't mess around, assume you need to bring everything because its two hours of washboard road back to the store.
During our stay, it was very dry so we used FS142 to make a shorter route out to Mackay, ID.
No CELL, but take FS142 to the Top of Corral Creek Summit. Take the short FS747 to look out east and you will also get CELL Service.
Cabin was very clean, almost everything worked including hot water and stove and propane lights with extra mantels.
Furnace would not light and we were worried until we realized the propane lights gave off plenty of heat to warm the place up to 75.
Beds were hard, but clean and we put on covers and sheets and warm comforters for the cold night. Never had to use the wood stove.
Amazing Dark Skies and fenced area around cabin and larger fence around area kept the cows at a good distance.
We made three full meals using all the cookware and stove.
Tons of hiking west along Copper Basin Loop Road. Hunters on ATVs were around, but respectful and many trails were horses and people only and we had them to ourselves. Nearby Trails include Goat, Betty and Baptie Lakes via Broad Canyon, Standhope Peak Loop, Big Black Dome and others.
Bring a Map or download offline maps so you know the area and know the roads.
We cleaned and left it as good or better than we arrived including using the sweeper.
One of my favorite USFS Cabin Trips. Will be back.
We Stayed 3 Nights in September and just loved it.
We Drove in from Ketchum ID and bought supplies there. Don't mess around, assume you need to bring everything because its two hours of washboard road back to the store.
During our stay, it was very dry so we used FS142 to make a shorter route out to Mackay, ID.
No CELL, but take FS142 to the Top of Corral Creek Summit. Take the short FS747 to look out east and you will also get CELL Service.
Cabin was very clean, almost everything worked including hot water and stove and propane lights with extra mantels.
Furnace would not light and we were worried until we realized the propane lights gave off plenty of heat to warm the place up to 75.
Beds were hard, but clean and we put on covers and sheets and warm comforters for the cold night. Never had to use the wood stove.
Amazing Dark Skies and fenced area around cabin and larger fence around area kept the cows at a good distance.
We made three full meals using all the cookware and stove.
Tons of hiking west along Copper Basin Loop Road. Hunters on ATVs were around, but respectful and many trails were horses and people only and we had them to ourselves. Nearby Trails include Goat, Betty and Baptie Lakes via Broad Canyon, Standhope Peak Loop, Big Black Dome and others.
Bring a Map or download offline maps so you know the area and know the roads.
We cleaned and left it as good or better than we arrived including using the sweeper.
One of my favorite USFS Cabin Trips. Will be back.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Copper Basin Guard Station
From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 mi and take a left on the Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 mi on the Trail Creek Road. This road starts as paved and turns to gravel at approximately 12 mi. Turn left at t...
From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 mi and take a left on the Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 mi on the Trail Creek Road. This road starts as paved and turns to gravel at approximately 12 mi. Turn left at the Wild horse/Copper Basin turnoff, and continue on this road for approximately 2 mi and bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 mi. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads 135 and 138.
From Ketchum, Idaho, travel north east on the Trail Creek Road, #208, for approximately 23 mi. Turn right on at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff and continue on this road for approximately 2 mi. Bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 mi. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads #135 and #138.
The Copper Basin Guard Station is accessible via Highway 93, which is approximately 17 miles south of Mackay, Idaho. From Highway 93, Trail Creek Road (#208) provides access to the campground.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
3PM
Check out time
11AM
The rental combination will be provided in the confirmation letter.
More information is available on the official website.
Cancellation policy
Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Accessibility
The guard station lacks electricity and communication services.
Utilities
Only propane-powered appliances are available at the guard station.
Guests are responsible for bringing their own supplies including food and toiletries.
Pets
Smoking, candles, and pets are prohibited in the cabin.
Site capacity
A maximum of eight people are allowed, including RV occupants.
Guests must stay a minimum of two nights and can stay up to six nights.
Vehicles & parking
Only three vehicles are allowed in the parking lot.
Fees & deposits
America the Beautiful passes are not accepted at this site.
Site types & loops
Tents and stock animals are prohibited in the yard and parking area.
Safety & rules
Guests must pack out trash and clean the cabin before departure.