OutReserve

Sunshine Guard Station

White cabin in meadow with split rail fence and pine trees
SUNSHINE GUARD STATION
SUNSHINE GUARD STATION
SUNSHINE GUARD STATION
SUNSHINE GUARD STATION

About Sunshine Guard Station

Sunshine Guard Station is situated along John Day River in the Malheur National Forest at an elevation of 3,700 feet, about 43 miles northeast of John Day, Oregon. The former guard station was built in 1936 and until the 1990s was used alternatively as a bunkhouse or a work station for fireguards. The guard station can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Number of accommodations: 1

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

Sites & Availability

1 Site Available

Site
Price
🏠 001, Loop: LOOP A
7 guests Β· Campfire
$60.00
/ per night

Reviews (34)

What Guests Are Saying

Sunshine Guard Station offers a cozy and rustic retreat in a beautiful, remote location, perfect for family stays and outdoor activities like turkey hunting. Recent improvements have been noted, with many guests appreciating the comfortable warmth and the well-equipped kitchen. However, some guests reported cleanliness issues and the presence of bugs, suggesting the need for better upkeep and maintenance.

Review Summary

3.8
34 reviews
5
44.1%
15
4
26.5%
9
3
11.8%
4
2
0.0%
0
1
17.6%
6

Jeffrey D

Verified

March 22, 2026 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

1

Unfortunately the guests that visited lest the house a complete mess. We spent hours cleaning and airing out the smoke smell inside.

Lawrence B

Verified

January 10, 2026 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

3

Had to do a lot of clean up. There were hundreds of dead flies on floors, table, counters and window seals. Fly strips were totally covered and some live flies were around. We expected some clean up, but not this. Replaced the fly strips with new ones. Over all the cabin was a great place to stay.

Diane B

Verified

July 4, 2025 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

5

We were very happy to see that most of the recent issues with Sunshine have been addressed. We love the remote location and the rustic feel of the cabin, but mostly the quiet beauty of the area. Really enjoyed our stay!

Kathryn P

Verified

June 30, 2025 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

5

Super cozy little cabin, comfortable for the whole family during the off and on rain showers. no issues with bugs.

lbagley3 B

Verified

April 23, 2025 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

3

People before us were gross. Never cleaned etc. not very nice to walk into

Deane H

Verified

December 3, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

5

Spent a week at Sunshine at the end of Nov. 2024. Was very nice to have a warm and comfortable place. Whoever had the cabin previously had left it in pristine condition. No bugs, flies or mice around. Floors and appliances clean.
It appears the Forest Service visits frequently to keep cabin in good shape and supplied. However, you probably should bring some good toilet paper as the F. S. supplied paper doesn't equal Charmin. Also bring good frying pans, otherwise there is a good supply of cooking utensils, plates etc. Wall heaters keep main areas warm but bring space heaters for the bedrooms if it's very cold.
Saw deer and turkeys but no elk.

Karl B

Verified

November 22, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

5

Great, special place.

James S

Verified

May 11, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

4

This was a great place to stay. I used it as home base while turkey hunting in the Malheur National Forest. The kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer, electric stove/oven, microwave oven, coffeemaker, and sink, but no water. It works well if you bring food to store in the fridge or freezer and either "cook" or microwave. the stove works great for heating water (for coffee) or cooking. Cabin has electric lights, and a couple built in wall heaters (it was 28 degrees or so at night when I was there and the heat was very adequate).The kitchen has a table and chairs. The main room/living room has a couch and a couple chairs, coffee table and side tables, and a bookshelf with various books and games. 2 bedrooms each with bed, (bring your own bedding and a tarp to cover the mattress it kind of dirty and buggy) ,and a large utility closet. There is a picnic table in the front yard with a fire pit /"grill" so if the weather is nice you can hang out outside. Also a large "vault" toilet next to the cabin. Issues: Bugs πŸͺ³πŸͺ³πŸͺ³ - It was still cool weather when I was there but Spring and Bugs were arriving. There were a dozens of large flies/spittle bugs in each bedroom on the beds and floor, and other parts of the cabin. So bring some bug spay / repellant if you're averse. Cleanliness πŸ’©πŸ’©It is an old cabin so I don't expect a lot, but it was pretty filthy when I got there. I spent 30 minutes sweeping the floor covered with bugs, dog hair, soil, pine needles, etc. Also in the utility closet there are a bunch of old used fly catcher /electric zapper devices covered with dead bugs. Needs some maintenance/upkeep: The windows have been sealed round the edges with duct tape, which is falling off peeling away. And parts of the floor tile are missing. The drain under kitchen sink is broken, so there is a plastic tray under the sink to catch any water which you then needed to empty each time you use the sink. Great view and location. But don't expect an AirBnB.

GAIL K

Verified

April 20, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

5

Very quiet spot. Enjoyed the forest service roads behind the cabin--great area for hikes!

Erin F

Verified

February 2, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: LOOP A

4

This is one of our favorite FS rentals and it almost always has availability! We have only visited in the winter because we like to xc ski on all the different roads around the area. There are literally miles and miles of roads accessible right from the cabin door. A short drive down the road offers even more! The cabin itself is well equipped with a fridge, oven/stove, dining table, coffee pot, toaster oven, microwave, couch, and cushioned chair. It has electricity so you could bring and use really anything that plugs in. It has an electric wall heater which keeps it plenty warm inside. We do wish it had a wood stove though. Mice haven't been an issue during our stays, but the flies are abundant!! It will take a bit of sweeping up on arrival to get it more liveable. The oven is a little weird to use, it only conducts heat either from the bottom elements, or the top elements, but not both at once. Cooking a pizza was a challenge as we had to cook the bottom first and then switch and cook the top ha. Same with biscuits we brought. All in all we love this place and this area and will keep returning every winter :)

Location Sunshine Guard Station

Address:
431 Patterson Bridge Rd
John Day, OR, 97845
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 44.6659 / -118.7

Elevation: 1112 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Please contact the Malheur National Forest Recreation department before arriving at the cabin rental to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms.

General

County Road 20 along the Middle Fork John Day River, accessing Sunshine Guard Station, receives limited winter maintenance. On occasion the road may be closed or entirely inaccessible. Also, there are no services along the Middle Fork of the John Day River should you need assistance. Please be sure to contact the Blue Mountain Ranger District at 541-575-3000 prior to visiting the Guard Station to check conditions. Be prepared and self-sufficient when traveling on the Malheur National Forest and travel at your own risk.

General

Sunshine Guard Station is in a remote forest location with no mobile phone coverage.

General

The cabin does not have water; guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing.

General

Guests must bring bedding, pillows, and/or sleeping bags as well as a flashlight or lantern for emergencies, first aid kit, washcloths and towels and dish soap.

General

Guests must bring trash bags and pack out their own trash.

General

Guests must clean the cabin before their departure.

General

The Middle Fork of the John Day River can be seasonally "buggy", including box-elder bugs and houseflies. Recreation staff (and guests) do their best to keep the facility clean and to prevent insects from entering. We also provide a vacuum cleaner for use by guests. Nonetheless, you may encounter insects within the guard station. We apologize for the inconvenience, and if the situation warrants recreation staff attention, please call 541-820-3800 and we will do our best to address the issue.

General

Entry to the cabin is by combination lock; the combination to the guard station will be in your confirmation letter.

General

Most of the area around the cabin is closed to snowmobiles, except on open roads, to protect winter range for elk and deer.

General

This is bear country; food should be stored properly; learn more about bear and other safety precautions

General

Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

General

Learn more about the The Malheur National Forest

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