Big Elk Guard Station

needed to be cleaned , very dusty and dirty floors ,mouse issues all night unless you leave a light on but some still Rome , pipe to dry sink was off, greasy oven some one left us ,self cleaning ,must have had no time ? bring or buy covers for stuff food and pots (mice ) mouse nest in cabinet in kitchen with paper towels . don't leave food out on counter unthawed freezer for next person .hasn't been cleaned for a while couch broken used logs to prop up to sleep on water is at first camp ground on the right near creek ,no cell service

needed to be cleaned , very dusty and dirty floors ,mouse issues all night unless you leave a light on but some still Rome , pipe to dry sink was off, greasy oven some one left us ,self cleaning ,must have had no time ? bring or buy covers for stuff food and pots (mice ) mouse nest in cabinet in kitchen with paper towels . don't leave food out on counter unthawed freezer for next person .hasn't been cleaned for a while couch broken used logs to prop up to sleep on water is at first camp ground on the right near creek ,no cell service

I liked the cabin and our stay there. We knew there was no water onsite so we brought about 10 gallons worth of refillable containers. We found a water pump at a nearby campground, just up the road. The pump was in poor working order, wobbling around a lot with each pump. It was rusty and the water in our containers was yellow. The cabin is very nice, with a wood stove, but it took about 5 hours to get the chill out of the house. There was a nice supply of wood in two wood bins inside the cabin. There was none in a large outbuilding where it might have been stored. I've lived off the grid with wood heat so I was surprised by how long it took to warm the place. The fan is essential to helping spread the heat, as the stove is tucked into the old fireplace. The kitchen is good--refrigerator is like new. The electric stove is older but works very well. We slept on the futon downstairs in front of the woodstove. It was not too comfortable. The upstairs beds did not look too good and for some reason it took a long time to get the warm air from the stove up there. We slept in two down sleeping bags. I think I will bring extra bedding to try to improve that part of the experience. We did bring sheets and pillows and pillow cases. The outhouse was like new and there were dozens of wild trillium around the pathway to it from the house. It was wonderful outside, especially to walk over to the large emergent wetland nearby. I think it's time for a bit of a redo there, just to bring the cabin back to better working order. I'm glad we went there and were able to bring our dog. That was great. The sleeping arrangement and water were the setbacks for us.

I liked the cabin and our stay there. We knew there was no water onsite so we brought about 10 gallons worth of refillable containers. We found a water pump at a nearby campground, just up the road. The pump was in poor working order, wobbling around a lot with each pump. It was rusty and the water in our containers was yellow. The cabin is very nice, with a wood stove, but it took about 5 hours to get the chill out of the house. There was a nice supply of wood in two wood bins inside the cabin. There was none in a large outbuilding where it might have been stored. I've lived off the grid with wood heat so I was surprised by how long it took to warm the place. The fan is essential to helping spread the heat, as the stove is tucked into the old fireplace. The kitchen is good--refrigerator is like new. The electric stove is older but works very well. We slept on the futon downstairs in front of the woodstove. It was not too comfortable. The upstairs beds did not look too good and for some reason it took a long time to get the warm air from the stove up there. We slept in two down sleeping bags. I think I will bring extra bedding to try to improve that part of the experience. We did bring sheets and pillows and pillow cases. The outhouse was like new and there were dozens of wild trillium around the pathway to it from the house. It was wonderful outside, especially to walk over to the large emergent wetland nearby. I think it's time for a bit of a redo there, just to bring the cabin back to better working order. I'm glad we went there and were able to bring our dog. That was great. The sleeping arrangement and water were the setbacks for us.

Excellent secluded location, quiet and serene. Solitude maintained with limited signage, GPS assisted us to locate. Two bedrooms upstairs, nice kitchen, fireplace in living room. This is a rustic, no-luxury cabin, bring water and be prepared for the outhouse. We still enjoyed our stay and the price was very reasonable.

Excellent secluded location, quiet and serene. Solitude maintained with limited signage, GPS assisted us to locate. Two bedrooms upstairs, nice kitchen, fireplace in living room. This is a rustic, no-luxury cabin, bring water and be prepared for the outhouse. We still enjoyed our stay and the price was very reasonable.

excellent. close enough to road for access but far enough for solitude. very nice to have power avail (clean fridge, range/oven, coffee maker, even microwave), especially during fire restrictions at the end of the year. mice not as bad as reported: caught 3, one/night, but no more no less. prepare to bring traps/bait existing. pit toilet, but as clean as they come. ample split wood available on site for fires when not restricted (but couldn't find reported axe, bring your own). don't forget water--one gal/person/day is enough for cooking and clean up. few bugs in early September. cows are friendly but make mud boots suggested wear outside.

lots to do in surrounding area: good hikes of all lengths; enough resort areas that you have some services, but also remote enough to give sense of solitude. lakes for swimming/boating, and apparently fishing.

We had a nice relaxing time over Labor Day 2023 and I hope to make this a yearly visit.

excellent. close enough to road for access but far enough for solitude. very nice to have power avail (clean fridge, range/oven, coffee maker, even microwave), especially during fire restrictions at the end of the year. mice not as bad as reported: caught 3, one/night, but no more no less. prepare to bring traps/bait existing. pit toilet, but as clean as they come. ample split wood available on site for fires when not restricted (but couldn't find reported axe, bring your own). don't forget water--one gal/person/day is enough for cooking and clean up. few bugs in early September. cows are friendly but make mud boots suggested wear outside.

lots to do in surrounding area: good hikes of all lengths; enough resort areas that you have some services, but also remote enough to give sense of solitude. lakes for swimming/boating, and apparently fishing.

We had a nice relaxing time over Labor Day 2023 and I hope to make this a yearly visit.

First, we knew this was a remote cabin and would not be perfect but cabin was filthy and the beds were not fit to sleep on. Stained and torn and the queen looked like it was just a box spring. The futon that was suppose to be a couch was broke and laid out for a bed. That is what we ended up sleeping on and with every move we thought it was going to fall completely apart.
I don't know when the last time any one from the forest service was there but it needs some major attention.
Kitchen table and counter tops were gross and evidence of mice in the draws.
What we liked about it was how quiet it was and no cell service.
I got sick and we ended up only staying one night. Not sure we would of stayed longer even without me getting sick.

First, we knew this was a remote cabin and would not be perfect but cabin was filthy and the beds were not fit to sleep on. Stained and torn and the queen looked like it was just a box spring. The futon that was suppose to be a couch was broke and laid out for a bed. That is what we ended up sleeping on and with every move we thought it was going to fall completely apart.
I don't know when the last time any one from the forest service was there but it needs some major attention.
Kitchen table and counter tops were gross and evidence of mice in the draws.
What we liked about it was how quiet it was and no cell service.
I got sick and we ended up only staying one night. Not sure we would of stayed longer even without me getting sick.