How much does camping cost at Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Camping fees at Cape Horn Winter Rental range from $40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cape Horn Winter Rental first-come first-served or reservation?

Cape Horn Winter Rental 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 Cape Horn Winter Rental before I book?

Yes! Cape Horn Winter Rental has 22 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 Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Cape Horn Winter Rental is open December 15 to December 31. 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 Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Cape Horn Winter Rental does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Fire policies at Cape Horn Winter Rental: Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cape Horn Winter Rental have?

Cape Horn Winter Rental 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 Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Pets are not allowed at Cape Horn Winter Rental. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Cape Horn Winter Rental offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Cape Horn Winter Rental

4.92

29 reviews

Cape Horn Winter Rental (ID) 311 North U.S. Highway 93, CHALLIS, ID, 83226, USA

Top 1% in IDWinter

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Idaho#1 Winter Camping Idaho#1 Mountain Camping Idaho#2 +4 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,660 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open December 15 thr...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,660 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open December 15 thr...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cape Horn Winter Rental

$40.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN NONELECTRIC: $40.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-879-4100calene.thomas@usda.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cape Horn Winter Rental

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Campground Map

Cape Horn Winter Rental (ID) 311 North U.S. Highway 93, CHALLIS, ID, 83226, USA

Cape Horn Winter Rental

Cape Horn Winter Rental (ID) 311 North U.S. Highway 93, CHALLIS, ID, 83226, USA

Nearby places

Stanley (16 miles northwest), Boise (approximately 90 miles southeast via alternate routes during Highway 21 closures)

Weather at Cape Horn Winter Rental

Current alerts(11)

A maximum of 8 people are allowed in the cabin
Click here for more information on the Salmon-Challis National Forest
Firewood is provided at the cabin; Self-Service from the covered woodshed near the cabin.
Horses and livestock are not permitted at the cabin

Best Time to Camp at Cape Horn Winter Rental

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

5.0 / 5

Top 1% in ID

Designed for winter; peak season Dec 15–Mar 15 with excellent skiing per reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: December 15 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open December 15 through March 15 for winter rentals.

About Cape Horn Winter Rental

Cape Horn Winter Rental is a U.S. Forest Service cabin in the Salmon-Challis National Forest near Challis, Idaho, offering mid-elevation forest access with views of the Sawtooth Mountains. The cabin comes equipped with a wood stove and cookware, providing a warm base for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during winter months. Guests handle their own cleaning and cooking in this self-sufficient mountain retreat.

Cape Horn Winter Rental offers cabin accommodations specifically designed for winter stays. Tent, trailer, and RV camping are prohibited.

Elevation6660 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabin occupies Elk Meadow, an alpine basin ringed by old-growth lodgepole pine forest. The Sawtooth Mountains rise directly beyond the treeline, their glacially carved peaks forming the distinctive jagged ridgeline visible from the property. Lodgepole pines provide shelter and frame views of the surrounding high country. Winter snowfall buries the meadow floor, creating a continuous white expanse broken only by the dark verticals of tree trunks.

Lodging & AccommodationsCape Horn Winter Rental serves as a fully enclosed cabin for up to eight people, with one double bed, one single bed, and a couch. Sleeping bags may be used on the floor for additional guests. While electricity powers essential appliances, it may be inconsistent due to heavy snowfall.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural and educational programs are not explicitly mentioned for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Up to 14 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum group size is eight.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made via the recreation.gov website or contact center.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly stated for this campground.

Site SizeThe cabin accommodates up to eight people comfortably within its enclosed space.

PrivacyThe cabin offers privacy within a stand of lodgepole pines, with clear views of the Sawtooth Mountain Range from the front porch.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring cleaning supplies and dish towels. Be prepared for potential power outages and use the wood stove for cooking.

Need help booking Cape Horn Winter Rental?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Cape Horn Winter Rental cabin provides essential amenities for a cozy winter retreat. The cabin includes electricity for lighting and a standard four-burner stove and oven, though electricity reliability may vary due to heavy snowfall on power lines. A wood stove is available for cooking and heating, with firewood supplied near the cabin, though splitting may be required. Guests must bring their own food, bedding, toiletries, towels, and trash bags. Indoor plumbing is unavailable during the winter season, but a vault toilet is located behind the station. Furnishings include a table, chairs, additional seating, a battery-powered lantern, and a wooden rack for drying clothes.

Firewood available

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Cape Horn Winter Rental offers an abundance of winter recreational activities. Guests can enjoy cross-country skiing, downhill skiing on nearby slopes, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and exploring the surrounding meadows. Wildlife observation may also be possible, with sightings of animal tracks and wolf howls reported by visitors.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are unavailable in the cabin during the winter season as the water system is turned off.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.9

29 reviews

Top-Rated

Cape Horn Winter Rental is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Cape Horn Winter Rental are overwhelmingly positive, with guests praising the cabin's cleanliness, cozy atmosphere, and ample amenities for winter recreation. Comments frequently highlight the excellent maintenance by Forest Service crews and the convenience of the provided wood stove.

Review Summaries

Based on 29 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers often compliment the cabin's warmth, cleanliness, and well-stocked amenities, including the wood stove and cookware. The breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains and opportunities for...

Based on 29 reviews

Common Concerns

Some reviewers noted the need for additional cleaning supplies and emphasized that guests should bring bleach, dish towels, and other items to facilitate cleaning before departure. Electricity...

Based on 29 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

All reviews pertain to the single cabin available for rent at Cape Horn Winter Rental. Guests have universally praised its cleanliness, convenience, and suitability for winter recreation.

Based on 29 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommended bringing cleaning supplies such as bleach and dish towels, along with extra warm clothing, as temperatures could drop significantly. Some suggested reaching out to the Forest...

Based on 29 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter is the most suitable season for visiting Cape Horn Winter Rental, as it is specifically designed for winter activities. Reviews from January to March highlight excellent skiing conditions and...

Based on 29 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Great spot for a snowy, quiet getaway! Has everything you need for cooking and the wood stove was sooooo warm." - Lori F. (2022) 2. "Cape Horn Guard Station was the best. The cabin is well-cared...

Based on 29 reviews