Log cabin with shake gable ends and covered entry way in conifer forest
BIG ELK GUARD STATION4
BIG ELK GUARD STATION1
BIG ELK GUARD STATION6
BIG ELK GUARD STATION22

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Bedrooms Bedrooms

About Big Elk Guard Station

With a history that dates back to 1907, Big Elk Guard Station is the oldest continuously used administrative site within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, and a delightful setting for guests seeking a unique getaway. For many decades the guard station served as summer headquarters for solitary forest "guards" who built trails, fought forest fires and patrolled the land on horseback. Most recently the site was used to house Forest Service seasonal fire crews. The cabin is one of the few remaining examples of Forest Service log construction in the Forest and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

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Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Bedrooms Bedrooms
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking

Cabin Interior

  • Bedrooms
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001, Loop: BIG ELK GUARD STATION

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  • 10 guests

Site Details

Up to 10 guests
50 × 15 ft
Shade
Driveway entry: Pull-Through
Campfire
View Site Details

Reviews

29 reviews

Summary

AI generated

The Big Elk Guard Station is praised for its beautiful, clean, and cozy cabin atmosphere, making it a lovely retreat. While there are some issues with broken amenities and creaky beds, the overall upkeep has significantly improved, and the cabin is well-stocked with essentials. Reviewers express a strong desire to return, highlighting the positive experience despite minor drawbacks.

Based on guest feedback

4.0

Overall rating

Based on 29 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 58.6% (17)
4 stars 6.9% (2)
3 stars 20.7% (6)
2 stars 6.9% (2)
1 star 6.9% (2)

Showing 29 reviews

Michael D

Verified

June 19, 2026 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Bucolic location, quiet and peaceful. Bring in water and mousetraps.

Helpful

Mehama K

Verified

July 24, 2026 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Place is haunted…. For sure. Many creepy things happened, but overall we had a great time.
It’s a beautiful property and cool, rough cabin. We’ve had lots of good memories here with the family. Love the outdoor area to hang out by the fire pit!

Helpful

Amanda K

Verified

August 9, 2026 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Great location and gorgeous sunsets. Very quiet and tranquil. Be prepared for mice. I had my pet with me, so he handled keeping the mice out of the bedroom, but they were very eager to get in the kitchen. Follow the directions and ensure the cupboards are closed. They may need some reinforcement for the drawers. They found their way in those.
Also, prepare yourself for the walk to the outhouse at night.
Great spot to have a small family gathering.

Helpful

TONY C

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG ELK GUARD STATION

Big Elk Guard Station is a remote cabin but close to Hwy 140 in southern Oregon. The reviews mentioned a mouse problem, and there were signs of mice however, we did not experience any issues with them. The cabin was what you would expect for a hundred-year-old cabin in the woods. Set on the edge of a meadow among the old-growth forest. We did not see any deer or elk while staying there but there were tracks all around the meadow. The worst part of the experiance was cleaning up after the people that were there before we stayed. It was obvious they did not care how they left it for the next group.
I would suggest to the Forest Service that they update the sofa to a wood seating area. The mice-chewed cushions were a little much for the ladies in the cabin. I'm not sure what the Forest Service could do with the mattresses, but they could use an update.
Overall, it was worth the cost of the stay and I would do it again.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Big Elk Guard Station

Po Box 227, Butte Falls, OR 97522 United States

Elevation: 1,431 ft

Getting There

Drive east from Butte Falls on the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road #821) for approximately 19 mi to the junction with State Highway #140. Turn right, go .8 mi on Highway #140 to the junction with Forest Service Road #37. Turn left, and ...

Nearest town

Butte Falls, OR - 21 mi

About 28 min to downtown

Highway access

Big Elk Guard Station is accessible via State Highway 140, which is approximately 0.08 miles from the junction with Forest Service Road #37. The nearest major access road is the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway.

Near Crater Lake National Park

The closest entrance is: South Entrance

Approximate drive: 39.1 mi · over 1 hr (67 min)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 4, 2026

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Explore Butte Falls, OR

Population: 364

Nearby city: Medford, OR

Approx. 26 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,536 ft

Butte Falls, OR

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service