Eight Mile Guard Station
Eight Mile Guard Station
Eight Mile Guard Station
Eight Mile Guard Station
Eight Mile Guard Station

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Bedrooms Bedrooms
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity

About Eight Mile Guard Station

Eight Mile Guard Station is a short drive from Soda Springs, Idaho. It was established as early as 1908. Several buildings have appeared on this site, although most were replaced or relocated. The current cabin was built in 1962. The guard station only accessible by snowmobile in winter, and guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Many conveniences are provided, especially in the warmer months, but additional supplies and gear may be needed to ensure a comfortable stay.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Snowmobile

Snowmobile

Winter

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 open - Sep 16 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Bedrooms Bedrooms
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Basketball Court

Cabin Interior

  • Hot Water
  • Bedrooms
  • Sleeping Capacity
Missing information?

001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

🏠 Cabin
  • 75 guests

Site Details

Up to 75 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
View Site Details

Reviews

17 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Eight Mile Guard Station offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with updated, clean facilities that guests appreciate. Many enjoyed their stay and found the amenities, such as running water and cooking options, satisfactory for a glamping experience. The main drawbacks include some maintenance issues like broken blinds and low water pressure, along with limited accessibility due to steep steps.

Based on guest feedback

4.0

Overall rating

Based on 17 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 47.1% (8)
4 stars 29.4% (5)
3 stars 11.8% (2)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 11.8% (2)

Showing 17 reviews

Josh T

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

Best guard station I've stayed at. There is so many fun activities! We had a great time!

Helpful

Christopher C

Verified

September 10, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

Nice area. Nice place for a family outing. Would be nice to have a propane fridge but none the less an enjoyable experience.

Helpful

Ann M

Verified

October 10, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

We were happy to find the water still on (1st weekend of Oct) and everything well stocked: wood, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc. We brought our sleeping pads and bags and food. Excellent for a large group that have RV's to supplement. No nearby cabins so it was quiet. My kids played and played and played. Tons of flies in and outside the cabin--only complaint. We spent a lot of time cleaning fly bodies up.

Helpful

Jared R

Verified

October 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

Fun times. Prepare for flies if there in the fall. Lots of items in the cabin including pans and silverware. Best equipped of cabins I’ve stayed in. I would stay here again.

Helpful

Mike M

Verified

July 15, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

I have reserved - 8 mi Guard Cabin- for the past 8 years for our church youth group. This year was totally UNEXCEPTABLE! The worst of the issues was entering the cabin to find the toilet in the only bathroom duct taped closed (a job so poorly done it would bring a tear to the redneck eye)!
No sign. No notification from the forest service beforehand. Which did not go over well with the 10 "Teenage" Girls in our group. Apparently the well was going dry, even though the faucets still had running water. Subsequently, the grass area we have used for our activities was completely crispy, brown dead (my kids loved rolling around on shredded wheat cereal). The campground seemed less cared for than in the past (dead flies and maggots in the light fixtures) also there was very little wood available for a fire. To top it all off, when I called the ranger station to ask the reasons for the sub-par experience, I was not able not finish explaining the situation before I was interrupted with excuses! Needless to say they have lost a faithful (unsatisfied) customer. WARNING ! Check with your "friendly neighborhood" ranger about real conditions before you book!

Helpful

Annette B

Verified

August 6, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

gas line was leaking in the whole house and made us all sick ,some one left b. m on the walls and toilet had b m all over it , windows were open ,mouse poo in oven and and was living in there ,caught 2 with traps , floor was filthy, a tent you have been better than this ,out side was the only thing going for this cabin . no cleaning supply's , no mop bucket no kitchen wares so bring your own ,no matches but i left a few ,looked like some one used it and just left without cleaning up. kitchen faucet broken from mount bathroom sink drained slow , outside a cross the bridge was slick and fell down other side so be careful if wet ,out house was interesting .there is a small dammed up spot on creek to wade in .Huckleberry picking up the mountain road always .lots of traffic all day long every day so don't expect quite time in the day .

Helpful

Darrin A

Verified

August 8, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

Beautiful area, plenty of room for the kids to run around and adventure. Basketball court, swings and treehouse were their favorites. Volleyball court was the best sand box to keep the small children busy for hours. We didn't use the guard house, but would be nice for sleeping if needed. Needs some mice control though. We had rain every evening, the shed with tables was perfect for our large family to eat and play games. Loved camping here and we will definitely come again!

Helpful

Julie K

Verified

August 30, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

We reserved this site for our family reunion. We loved having the convenience of a cabin with propane burners, a propane heater in the living area, and nice sturdy bunk beds, a huge dining hall with propane lighting, nice sturdy benches, play areas, a great fire pit area, a large parking space, and spaces for tents.

We were hoping for water, but the well was dry. We hauled in water, but the toilet situation was hard. No flushing toilet in the cabin meant trips in the mud (it rained most of the weekend) navigating a steep incline and over a slippery bridge. We have older adults with mobility issues who slept in the cabin and this was a real struggle. One of the family members slipped on the bridge and smashed into the large rocks and was injured. We would suggest that a vault toilet be installed on the same level as the cabin which is easier to access for those staying in the cabin. The photos and description don't give a description of the ground-level differences of the site. Be prepared for lots of ups and downs.

The cabin was left clean except for the dead mouse and droppings in the oven. When we arrived there were more than 30 head of livestock inside the fence making lots of manure piles for us to navigate and clean up -- apparently the campers before us left the 2 small gates unlocked and the livestock made themselves at home. Please close the gates!!! There was only a small amount of cut wood in the wood shed -- apparently all available rangers are fighting fires -- so we needed to find fallen trees and cut them -- be prepared for that. Besides the livestock invasion, navigating slippery slopes to the toilet, dead mouse in the oven, and low amount of wood, it was a great location to visit. There were lots of activities available and it was a very pretty area. For the price you pay it is an awesome find, I'm happy places like this are available. Just be prepared for the unexpected.

Helpful

Karen B

Verified

January 8, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: EIGHT MILE GUARD STATION

We used a side by side with tracks to visit during the winter. Be sure to bring you own maul and wedges to spilt firewood. If you come later in the season, you might need to bring your own firewood. Most of the LED lights in the kitchen don't work. We cross country skied eight mile road, FR 332 <50" at edge of eight mile parking and Bailey Creek to Bailey Springs. Avalanche danger was high.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Eight Mile Guard Station

322 N. 4 Th Street, Montpelier, ID 83254 United States

Elevation: 1,898 ft

Nearest town

Montpelier, ID - 34 mi

About 44 min to downtown

Highway access

The Eight Mile Guard Station is accessed via Forest Service Road, with no major highways or interstates directly nearby within approximately 25 miles.

Policies & Rules

General

  • Please call the district office at (208) 847-0375 four days prior to arrival to confirm the security combination
  • Snow conditions can often affect cabin accessibility in the fall, winter and spring. Please call the Montpelier Ranger District Office to check snow conditions before reserving this cabin from November through June.
  • No water is available at the cabin.
  • Lighting instructions are posted in the cabin; please read and follow them carefully before lighting any appliance
  • Please leave the cabin clean for the next occupant
  • This is a pack-it-in/pack-it-out facility
  • Guard Station Maximum Capacity is 75
  • Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more
  • Click here for more information about Caribou-Targhee National Forest
  • 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.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the guard station. Pets must be on a leash at all times when on the guard station site. Clean up all pet waste before checking out of the facility

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Montpelier, ID

Population: 2,694

Nearby city: Pocatello, ID

Approx. 50 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,981 ft

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