How much does camping cost at Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Camping fees at Johnson Creek Guard Station are $100/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Johnson Creek Guard Station first-come first-served or reservation?

Johnson Creek Guard Station accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Johnson Creek Guard Station before I book?

Yes! Johnson Creek Guard Station has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Johnson Creek Guard Station is open May 22 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Yes, Johnson Creek Guard Station has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Johnson Creek Guard Station have?

Johnson Creek Guard Station has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Pets are not allowed at Johnson Creek Guard Station. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Johnson Creek Guard Station offers: Restrooms, Showers, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Johnson Creek Guard Station?

Popular activities at Johnson Creek Guard Station include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Johnson Creek Guard Station

4.79

27 reviews

PO Box 696, Cascade, ID, 83611, USA

Top 19% in IDSummer

Scenic Views

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Idaho#3 Hiking Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

5,141 ft

Price

$100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowersWiFi

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,141 ft

Price

$100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowersWiFi

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Johnson Creek Guard Station

$100.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN ELECTRIC: $100.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-382-7400

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

PO Box 696, Cascade, ID, 83611, USA

Johnson Creek Guard Station

PO Box 696, Cascade, ID, 83611, USA

Nearby places

Cascade (approx. 57 miles, 1.5 hours)

Yellow Pine (few miles north, exact distance not specified)

Driving directionsFrom Cascade, ID, head north on ID-55/Main Street toward McCall, ID. Turn right/east on FH-22/Warm Lake Road. Stay on this road for about 35 miles. Turn left/north on Road 413/Johnson Creek Road. Stay on this road for about 22 miles. The cabin sits on the right/east side of the road. Look for the Forest Service sign. This is good unpaved road, but there are a few narrow and steep sections with few pull-outs, and there may be some washboard sections. Use low gears. Some sections of the road are steep. Note Warm Lake Summit can be closed due to snow. If so, take FS 474 north to FH48, head east and then south on Johnson Creek Road. For additional information, the Cascade District Office is located in Cascade on the north end of town off Highway 55 on the right side of the road. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on federal holidays.

Weather at Johnson Creek Guard Station

Best Time to Camp at Johnson Creek Guard Station

Best season: summer. Summer offers reliably dry, warm days (highs around 78–84°F) and crisp nights (mid-40s to mid-50s) at 5,141 ft, making it ideal for hiking, biking, fishing, and lingering on the meadow porch. Trails are fully melted and accessible, Johnson Creek is low and clear for fishing, and the cabin’s electricity and plumbing make multi-day stays comfortable — expect moderate crowds in July–August but plenty of solitude compared with lower-elevation parks. Be aware that peak summer is also the height of U. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 19% in ID

Best season: warm, dry days (78–84°F) and crisp nights; open and popular May–Sept.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open for reservations from May 24 through September 30. Peak season includes early June to late September.

About Johnson Creek Guard Station

Johnson Creek Guard Station sits at 5,141 feet in Boise National Forest near Cascade, offering a historic US Forest Service cabin with electricity, running water, and flush toilets. The single rental accommodates groups seeking a base for hiking, fishing, and biking along Johnson Creek with modern conveniences in a mid-elevation forest setting. Wildlife sightings are common, and the cabin's meadow porch provides a front-row seat to the surrounding landscape.

Johnson Creek Guard Station offers a unique cabin rental experience, combining rustic charm with modern amenities. Tent camping, RV sites, or group camping are explicitly not allowed.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers reliably dry, warm days (highs around 78–84°F) and crisp nights (mid-40s to mid-50s) at 5,141 ft, making it ideal for hiking, biking, fishing, and lingering on the meadow porch. Trails are fully melted and accessible, Johnson Creek is low and clear for fishing, and the cabin’s electricity and plumbing make multi-day stays comfortable — expect moderate crowds in July–August but plenty of solitude compared with lower-elevation parks. Be aware that peak summer is also the height of U. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation5141 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabin occupies a mountain meadow carved by Johnson Creek, which winds through the property toward its confluence with the South Fork Salmon River. Dense pine forests cover the surrounding slopes. Visitors report seeing deer, elk, and bald eagles. Black bears and moose also inhabit the area. The creek runs clear in summer and provides the main water feature. At 5,141 feet, the setting combines volcanic geology with glacial valleys typical of Idaho's interior mountains.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe cabin offers lodging for visitors, including two twin beds in the loft, two cots, a couch, and a full-size bed in a separate bedroom. Reviews note the rustic charm, well-maintained facilities, and modern conveniences like electricity, a refrigerator, and running water.

Programs & ActivitiesEducational or cultural programs are not discussed.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 4 nights per visit and per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unlimited guests allowed within the cabin's capacity.

Groups

Group camping is not available at this site.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe cabin is accessible by most vehicles, although trailers are not recommended due to challenging road conditions. The cabin itself is equipped with modern amenities, but no specific accessibility features for individuals with disabilities are mentioned.

Site SizeThe cabin accommodates up to 8 guests, with enough outdoor space for activities. The interior includes a main bedroom and an upstairs loft.

PrivacyThe cabin provides a private space surrounded by dense pine forests and mountain slopes, offering seclusion and natural beauty.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 001 provides modern amenities including electricity, running water, and indoor plumbing. Families recommend bringing additional bedding and mosquito repellents.

Best CampsitesThere's only one cabin. It has a main bedroom downstairs and a loft upstairs. Reviews mention the bathroom is cramped. The porch overlooks the meadow. Guests note chipmunks and occasional bats inside, so bring flashlights and seal food carefully. Check the cabin logbook for activity tips from previous visitors.

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

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Amenities available

Johnson Creek Guard Station, built in 1922, offers a rustic yet well-equipped cabin for campers. The cabin includes modern amenities such as electricity, a flush toilet, shower, refrigerator, and electric range. Outdoor facilities include two picnic tables, a campfire ring, and two grills. Guests are required to bring their own garbage bags, bedding, towels, lanterns or flashlights, and emergency drinking water. The nearby airstrip and road access make it convenient, but trailers are not recommended due to steep and narrow road sections.

Showers

Electricity hookups

WiFi

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Johnson Creek Guard Station

Johnson Creek Guard Station offers a wide range of recreational activities. From hiking trails leading into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness to fishing opportunities in Johnson Creek and South Fork Salmon River, there is plenty to explore. Berry picking, hunting, and wildlife viewing are seasonal activities, and the nearby Yellow Pine community hosts an annual music festival.

Hiking4.0/5

Multiple trailheads into the Frank Church Wilderness are accessible from the cabin.

Fishing4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Frequent sightings: deer, elk, bald eagles; black bear and moose present in area.

Biking3.5/5

Trails near the cabin are cited as suitable for mountain biking and varied terrain.

Water Sports2.0/5

Kayaking not mentioned explicitly; river access exists but specifics unconfirmed.

Winter Activities

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.8

27 reviews

Top-Rated

Johnson Creek Guard Station is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the cabin's amenities, scenic location, and proximity to trailheads and the river. Common complaints include early morning air traffic, wildlife disturbances such as chipmunks and bats, and the cramped bathroom layout.

Review Summaries

Based on 27 reviews

What Campers Love

The cabin's amenities, including electricity, running water, and modern bathroom facilities, are frequently praised. Visitors also appreciate the scenic beauty, wildlife, and proximity to...

Based on 27 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include the cramped toilet setup, air traffic disturbances over the cabin, mosquitoes, wildlife intrusions (chipmunks and bats), and outdated or missing amenities like a coffee machine and...

Based on 27 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 001 reviews highlight the great amenities, but mention issues with wildlife intrusions like bats and chipmunks. Guests also note the cramped toilet setup.

Based on 27 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing flashlights, garbage bags, bedding, and towels. Reviewers also advise reading the cabin's logbook for activity suggestions and visiting nearby attractions like Ice Hole...

Based on 27 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak season runs from early June to late September. Reviews suggest booking in advance, as high demand limits availability. Summer stays are punctuated by lively air traffic and wildlife activity.

Based on 27 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The cabin itself is really pretty but could use some upgrades and a really good cleaning." - Sheila H. "Wonderful experience, well equipped cabin with plenty of amenities." - Marc G. "Great cabin,...

Based on 27 reviews