The fireplace is propane. When we called the ranger station they told us it was wood burning, I can confirm that it is definitely propane. There's still wood stocked at the cabin, but there's literally no place to burn it. Once you get the key out of the lock box use it to open the front door to the living room. Turn the key in the lock clockwise kind of hard, then hold it over while you push down on the door latch to unlock and open the door at the same time. The front door cannot be left unlocked, it will lock when it closes so either immediately go to the back door and unlock it, or leave the key outside where you can get it if you lock yourself out. The back door can be left unlocked so you don’t need to worry about locking yourself out at night when you go to use the latrine. There is only one key so for the love of God don’t lose it. We observed that former occupants had been urinating off of the back landing just outside the back door and then dumping their toilet paper on the ground just outside the back door. This is a disgusting practice, don’t do it, even at night. If you must urinate just outside of the back door, aim away from the cabin and put your toilet paper into the garbage, don’t leave it on the ground for others to have to look at and be grossed out by. And for God’s sake don’t defecate just outside the back door, or anyplace except in the latrine. To light the oven pilot light: Take the bottom pan off the oven by lifting it up Reach to the back of the oven with a lit match towards where the pilot light should be, it’s obvious where it should be Press the oven knop over to the pilot position and hold while holding the lit match where the pilot light should be. You can do this with a match but we had a butane fire starter which extended our reach and made it easier.

- Great spot in the winter. Just come prepared with some water or be ready to boil some snow!

Great location for winter snow activities. Loved the feel of the CCC past, which was evident. The half-mile walk in the snow to get to the cabin was just fine. Would recommend bringing plenty of water. Overall a nice experience. Very peaceful.

Lovely cabin! Easy snowshoe and sled hike to the cabin in the winter.

I've been coming here for 7 years or so. There has been a steady decline in cleanliness as well as broken futons and such. There were new futon covers, but the futon pads were still deformed, frames broken. There were lots of food stuffs and things left by the previous renters, which also showed that there was not a staff clean between guests. The TP was not restocked in the outhouse, just 6 or so tubes locked up. We had to find and take some out ourselves. The outhouse smelled foul (never has before). Finally, there were no more garbage bags. That and there is a proposed rate hike? When they didn't even maintain it as was? Other than the above complaints, we managed to have a wonderful stay.

It's a cozy cabin in the woods. There is a propane heater in the living room and in the dining room so you warm up nicely. The futon mattresses are not comfy. The kerosene lamps work great but pretty dim so bring a lantern. We used peppermint spray to deter mice & spiders so we didn't see any in our living space. The refrigerator is truly an "ice box"! The pit toilet is near parking, not a big deal to get to. It's charming and not far to Panther Creek Falls.

This cabin needs some TLC. The curtains are torn and don't fully cover the windows. The toilet isn't close to the cabin. It wasn't as clean as it could have been when we arrived. It needs a new indoor paint job. The lighting is propane only. Bring a few lanterns. Aside from this.. the place is warm and cozy if you don't mind a little rustic. It's quiet and private. Very close to some incredible hikes and not far from town.

Beautiful cabin and amazing spot, but the cabin was pretty disgusting. Needs a major cleaning, looks like no one had swept/mopped in months, layers of dust and cobwebs and mice poop EVERYWHERE! Hanging a picture of a mouse that someone saw five times is not an extermination plan. We cleaned the copious poop the first night and the next morning it was back again everywhere, on the stove, in the sink, etc. Caught two mice in the trap on the porch, but still more feces everywhere. It's a shame and the forest service should explore some serious extermination before this place is completely lost to the rodents. We had young kiddos, one who is immune compromised and didn't feel good letting them play pretty much anywhere inside. Outside everything is gorgeous. Please take better care of this beautiful cabin!

I have been coming up to government mineral Springs since I was a baby in diapers. (1955!) My grandparents had a cabin there. I am so grateful that I can go up and stay in the forest service cabin and enjoy the beautiful environment, quiet, see the elk, and entertain happy memories. The cabin was clean and nice. And we left it in the same condition! I donated a journal to the cabin. Thank you!

This cabin is great. It is definitely “primitive”, so come here with that in mind and bring a lot of water. We’ll be back soon, hopefully this winter for a snowy respite. P.S. we saw no signs of mice 😀