About Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Cabin Interior
- Kitchen
- Heating
GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
- 9 guests
Site Details
Reviews (59)
What Guests Are Saying
Govt Mineral Springs Guard Station offers a peaceful and well-kept cabin experience in a beautiful national forest setting. Guests appreciated the cleanliness, ample cooking supplies, and the cozy atmosphere, though some noted the need for minor repairs and updates, particularly regarding the mattresses and futons. Overall, visitors expressed a desire to return, highlighting the cabin's charm and the surrounding natural beauty.
What Guests Are Saying
Govt Mineral Springs Guard Station offers a peaceful and well-kept cabin experience in a beautiful national forest setting. Guests appreciated the cleanliness, ample cooking supplies, and the cozy atmosphere, though some noted the need for minor repairs and updates, particularly regarding the mattresses and futons. Overall, visitors expressed a desire to return, highlighting the cabin's charm and the surrounding natural beauty.
Review Summary
Albert I
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
The immediate area around the cabin and the surrounding valley along Trapper Creek is an old growth forest. Nearby there is access to hiking trails in the Trapper Creek Wilderness and trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Rachel L
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
It was peaceful, clean, well kept, and a lovely experience I'd recommend.
Julia H
VerifiedJuly 16, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
We (4 adults + 2 kiddos) had a great time at this lovely cabin. We brought plenty of drinking water and filled up jugs at the stream for washing dishes. No fridge is colder than a NFS propane fridge! Plenty of pots & pans for cooking (too many for the cabinet), knives in need of sharpening (but that's to be expected), and enough plates/bowl to get by. If you are particular about mugs, bring your own (or fight over the one big one). We always camp with our gooseneck kettle, so coffee service was on point. We used one of the futons, in addition to all the beds upstairs, and found it fine. The nearby stream is perfect for summer exploration and cold soaking and in early July there were tons of berries (salmonberries, huckleberries, teeny tiny strawberries, trailing blackberries, blackcap raspberries). Huge, gorgeous trees nearby, and deep deep quiet at night.
Ray P
VerifiedJune 28, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
Great location for hiking and exploring. Very quiet. Comfortable cabin, but could use a good deep clean and replacement of the gas lantern mantles. FYI, there is a gas powered fridge and freezer!
Would definitely stay there again!
James T
VerifiedJune 8, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
The setting in national forest was great. We enjoyed walking around the woods. The cabin was clean, but needed some repairs, main the gas leak at the fireplace. Someone left the gas main on, so we smelled gas when we entered. After shutting off the gas main we left the windows open to clear the gas. It was fine after that. The campground itself seemed pretty dead.
Katharine H
VerifiedJune 7, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
The cabin was clean and well-maintained, and the kitchen has all the necessary items, including some large empty containers you could fill at the creek for washing water. Heat was already off for the summer, and there is definitely a lingering propane leak in the living room that makes you want to keep a window cracked--not a problem if it's warm enough outside. Thanks to FS staff and other visitors who all do their part to keep this a pleasant and welcoming place to stay. We'll be back!
Mike V
VerifiedMay 29, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
Had a great time, was a clean cozy experience. Definitely plan on going back
Cari A
VerifiedMarch 23, 2026 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
Nice and peaceful as usual. Unfortunately one of the futons was broken and non functioning at the time of our visit. It made it a little uncomfortable to sit and visit on the evening.
Carrie S
VerifiedNovember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
Love staying at the guard station! The gas inset in the fireplace is a nice update.
michelle h
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA
Great cabin, disappointed that the head was shut off, it did get a little chilly one night.
Location & Directions for Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta
2455 Hwy 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650 United States
Elevation: 379 ft
Getting There
From Portland take Interstate 84 east, take Cascade Locks Exit 44 and cross the Bridge of the Gods (toll bridge) to Highway 14 in Washington State. Turn east (right) on Highway 14 and drive 5 mi to the Carson junction with the Wind River Highway. ...
From Portland take Interstate 84 east, take Cascade Locks Exit 44 and cross the Bridge of the Gods (toll bridge) to Highway 14 in Washington State. Turn east (right) on Highway 14 and drive 5 mi to the Carson junction with the Wind River Highway. Follow the Wind River Highway through Carson and northwest approximately 14 mi to the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Continue northwest for 1 mi on Forest Road 3065 to the entrance for Government Mineral Springs recreation site.
From approximately April 15 to November 1, the cabin is usually accessible by vehicle. During the winter season, the cabin is a half-mile trek by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles from the parking area.
Sno-Park permits are required from December 1 through April 1 for each vehicle. Washington Sno-Park passes are required for Washington State vehicles.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via Interstate 84, which is approximately 23 miles to the south. From Interstate 84, travelers can take the Cascade Locks Exit 44 to connect to Highway 14.
Policies & Rules
General
- No potable water at this site
- Entry to the cabin is by a key stored in a lock box; the combination to the lock box is given in your confirmation letter
- Please contact the Ranger District at (509) 395-3400 prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit
- In the event of a heavy snowfall, guests may not be able to access the Sno-Park or could get stranded; the Forest Service does not plow the road to the Sno-Park; those with existing reservations are advised to check weather conditions close to their reservation date and plan accordingly; refund requests will be honored if the Sno-Park is inaccessible.
- The Sno-Park parking is not the turnaround at the end of Forest Road 3065; it is on the sides of the road leading up to the turnaround; tickets will be issued to visitors who park in the turn-around
- Pets are not allowed at this facility
- Camping is prohibited at the guard station
- Pack out all food and garbage and clean the facility before you leave
- Doors and windows should be locked and all personal items removed upon departure
- The guard station is a non-smoking facility
- Learn more about Gifford-Pinchot National Forest
- 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.
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Last updated: October 23, 2026