Malad Summit Guard Station Near Pocatello, ID

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Parking

Pet Friendly

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About Malad Summit Guard Station

Malad Summit Guard Station is located 14 mi north of Malad, Idaho on Malad Pass just off I-15. The rustic one-room cabin is in a forested setting in narrow Mill Creek Drainage, and offers a secluded retreat on fenced acreage surrounded by scenic high country views. The original guard station was established in 1908, but was replaced by the existing cabin in 1934. The cabin is accessible by car when there is no snow. Guests should be prepared in snowy conditions to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile half a mile from the plowed road to reach the cabin. The guard station offers many amenities for a comfortable stay, but fewer conveniences are available in winter.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Year-round

Skiing

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

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

01, Loop: MSGS

🏠 Cabin

15 guests
Pet Friendly

Site Details

Up to 15 guests

Shade

Surface: Gravel

Campfire

Pet Friendly

View Site Details

Reviews (26)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Malad Summit Guard Station offers a beautiful, clean cabin surrounded by serene creeks and trees, providing excellent privacy and comfortable accommodations. Guests appreciated the well-maintained facilities, including the outhouse and comfortable beds, and enjoyed relaxing on the porch despite some minor concerns about the lack of screen doors and water availability. Overall, it is highly recommended for a peaceful getaway, with plans for return visits by many guests.

What Guests Are Saying

Review Summary

4.1

26 reviews

50.0%

26.9%

7.7%

11.5%

3.8%

david t

Verified

June 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

We have been going here many years, this year we had a bit of a problem because there was no water. We weren't notified and so we had to to figure out how to make things work and get some water where we were going to be there for 3 days. I had talked to the company who took care of the property and they were actively working on the problem. We just wish we would have been notified so we would have planned ahead to have what we needed. Otherwise we enjoyed it as we usually do. Also there were no screen doors on either door, like there has always been. You need the screen doors to let some air in and have air flow. The company that takes care of the property said they would check with the forest service where they had removed them because there was a problem. We still enjoyed our stay and, and plan on coming back next year.

Crystal F

Verified

June 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

Cabin space is private with a small stream kids can play in safely. The cabin electricity was nice to have.

Terry M

Verified

June 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

Great place! Easy short drove off I-15. Refreshing creek and beautiful trees surround the cabin. Mattresses were comfy and clean. Outhouse was clean. Bring your own TP just in case. Highly recommended!

Beverly D

Verified

July 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

This little cabin is wonderful. It was very clean. Privacy was excellent. We loved the little creek running through it. The beds were very comfortable and the space heater kept us nice and comfortable. There was plenty of parking. the outhouse was clean and in good condition. It was fun sitting on the large covered porch while watching the rain come down. We are looking forward to returning again. The only suggestion we would make would be to please install hand rails on both staircases. We are seniors and we had a hard time getting up and down the stairs safely.

Shendrae G

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

Bring your own wood.

Nadine C

Verified

July 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: MSGS

Cabin is in a lovely spot with sweet creeks on both sides. Cabin was clean and the vault toilet was extremely clean and well maintained. It was hot and it would have been great to sleep with the doors open for fresh air but there are no screen doors and we were afraid the skunk who visited the second night might decide to wander inside to check us out. Bring everything you need for cooking and cleaning.

Location & Directions for Malad Summit Guard Station

4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204 United States

Elevation: 1,829 ft

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Getting There

Malad Guard Station is located 11 mi north of Malad, ID. On 1-15, take Exit 22 (Devil Creek Reservoir). Go north on N. Old Highway 191 for 3.5 mi. Turn left on E11000N/Forest Road 041 and cross over the interstate, drive 1.3 mi. At the bend keep ...

Nearest town

Pocatello, ID - 50 mi

About 54 min to downtown

Highway access

Malad Summit Guard Station is located approximately 11 miles north of Malad, ID, accessible via I-15 at Exit 22, followed by N. Old Highway 191.

Policies & Rules

General

Malad Summit Guard Station is managed by Pinnacle Parks Llc under a special use permit with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For questions please contact 208-757-3999 between the hours of 8am and 9pm.
An access code for the gate and door is sent in the reservation confirmation email. 
Induction stove heating element will only activate if cookware is placed on the stovetop. Cookware must be made of a magnetic material. 
Shower facility, oven and refridgerator are no longer available. Guests should plan on bringing their own coolers for cold food storage. 
No water is available at the cabin during winter months beginning late September through May. Winter guests should bring their own water.
Forest road 041 is not maintained/plowed in the winter months. When snow accumulation doesn't allow for vehicles to access the cabin via Forest Road 041, cabin renters can park at the overnight winter parking area past the cattleguard at the USFS boundary. Cabin renters should not park on private property before the cattleguard. The overnight parking area is signed and can accommodate up to 4 vehicles. Renters can hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile to Malad Summit Guard Station.
Please leave the cabin clean for the next occupant.
This is a pack-it-in/pack-it-out facility.
Smoking is prohibited.
Pets are allowed, but guests must ensure no damage to furnishings and no harassment of wildlife; guests must clean up after their animals.
Please make sure fires in the outside campfire ring are extinguished completely before leaving the cabin. Abandoning campfires during any point in your stay at the cabin can result in a violation. Since water is not available during the off season at the cabin, please bring extra water to help extinguish a campfire.
Off-road vehicle stickers are required for ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles using the area
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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Closed for Season

Campground / RV park

Malad Summit Campground

Pocatello, ID

Malad Summit Campground is located 14 mi north of Malad, Idaho, at an elevation of 6.1 ft, next to Mill Creek. It offers activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle riding on various trails.

5 RV Sites

5 Tent Sites

4.3 (91)