Gotchen Guard Station

Star0.15
13 reviews
Gotchen Guard Station

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Sites

1 campsites

Season

Automobile access ty...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Gifford Pinchot National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) site

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Gotchen Guard Station
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 13 reviews

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Best Time to Camp at Gotchen Guard Station

Your adventure here changes with the seasons. From late spring through fall, the forest road welcomes you by car, making it easy to settle into this mountain hideaway. When winter blankets the landscape—typically November through April—the station transforms into a snowy sanctuary accessible only by skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile. The surrounding snowpack becomes your water source during cold months, adding to the authentic wilderness experience (just remember to treat or boil it before use).

Best
Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Automobile access typically available until snow blocks roads (usually November/December through April). Winter access is possible by ski, snowmobile, or snowshoe and depends on snow levels.

About Gotchen Guard Station

Step back in time at Gotchen Guard Station, a charming two-room cabin that has stood sentinel in an aspen grove since 1909. Nestled at the base of majestic Mt. Adams with meadow views stretching before you, this historic retreat offers rustic comfort with propane amenities—though you'll need to bring your own water for an authentic backcountry experience.
Historic guard station cabin rental (two-room cabin plus separate bunkhouse) located near Mt. Adams and Mt. Adams Wilderness; remote setting with limited on-site services and seasonal access variability.
Historical SignificanceThis remarkable cabin holds the distinction of being the oldest standing structure in the entire Gifford Pinchot National Forest—and the only one built during the tenure of the forest's legendary namesake himself. For seven years, from 1909 to 1916, this modest building served as the bustling administrative heart of the Mt. Adams District, with rangers coordinating forest management from these very rooms. The station's significance earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Its location along a historic sheep driveway connects you to the region's pastoral heritage, when thousands of sheep made their seasonal journey through these mountain passages.
Weather and SeasonsYour adventure here changes with the seasons. From late spring through fall, the forest road welcomes you by car, making it easy to settle into this mountain hideaway. When winter blankets the landscape—typically November through April—the station transforms into a snowy sanctuary accessible only by skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile. The surrounding snowpack becomes your water source during cold months, adding to the authentic wilderness experience (just remember to treat or boil it before use).
ElevationThe cabin rests in the foothills of Mt. Adams, positioned where the forest meets alpine meadow with the volcanic summit towering 12,276 feet above sea level in the near distance.
Natural Features and SceneryMt. Adams creates a dramatic backdrop for your stay, its glaciated slopes rising above a landscape where two ecosystems meet and mingle. The surrounding Mt. Adams Wilderness showcases this unique convergence—dry eastern forests blending with lush western woodlands, creating a tapestry of meadows, open alpine stands, ancient lava flows, and crystal mountain streams fed by glacial melt. The 2012 Cascade Fire left its mark here, and today you'll witness nature's resilience firsthand: fire-scarred veterans standing among vibrant new growth, telling a story of destruction and renewal that continues to unfold across these slopes.
Geological RegionThe station occupies a geologically dynamic corner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where volcanic forces shaped the land. Mt. Adams looms nearby, its glaciers slowly carving the mountain while ancient lava flows create dramatic terrain features throughout the wilderness. Meadows nestle between forested slopes, and mountain streams trace paths through this volcanic landscape, creating a diverse environment where fire, ice, and stone have collaborated across millennia to craft the scenery you'll explore.
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Campsite details

Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring ample potable water or water treatment supplies; bring sleeping bags/linens, towels, dish soap, toilet paper, garbage bags, first aid kit and matches. Cabin provides two battery-operated lanterns but additional non-flammable light sources (headlamp) are recommended. Note winter access route advisories: Pineside route is uphill and not recommended for skiers.

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site
Cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people in two sleeping areas.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSmall two-room cabin with one double bunk bed in the main room and a separate bunkhouse nearby containing a second double bunk bed; a vault toilet is located about 20 yards from the cabin. The cabin is nestled in an aspen grove at the edge of a meadow and is located roughly 150 yards from Forest Road 8225060.
Open and Closed SeasonAutomobile access typically available until snow blocks roads (usually November/December through April). Winter access is possible by ski, snowmobile, or snowshoe and depends on snow levels.

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities near the guard station include hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, skiing, and snowshoeing, with nearby trails and views of Mt. Adams and surrounding wilderness.
Hiking
Multiple nearby trails provide hiking access, including Gotchen Creek Trail #40 and Snipes Mountain Trail #11, with views of Mt. Adams, meadows, streams, and alpine features. The cabin is a few miles from the Mt. Adams Wilderness.
Biking
Biking is listed among the recreational opportunities in close proximity to the cabin; local forest roads and trails provide mountain and meadow access.
Winter Activities
Skiing and snowshoeing are noted; winter access may require skis, snowmobile, or snowshoes depending on snow levels.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Cabin is equipped with propane heat, a propane stove and a propane refrigerator. The area was affected by the 2012 Cascade Fire. No specific on-site fire or campfire policy is provided in the source material.

Hazards

General hazardsNo potable water at the cabin. Winter access hazards include deep snow and routes that are uphill and not recommended for skiers. The area shows fire damage and regrowth from the 2012 Cascade Fire. No other specific hazards are provided.

Weather at Gotchen Guard Station

51
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 10.5 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Trash and recyclingGuests are asked to pack out all garbage ("Please pack out what you pack in").
Proximity to water featuresNo potable water at the cabin; nearby area contains mountain streams and glaciers. Snow may be melted for water but must be treated or boiled prior to drinking.

Campground Map

Gotchen Guard Station
Driving directionsSUMMER: From Trout Lake head toward Pineside Sno-Park on Mt. Adams Recreation Highway. At Pineside Sno-Park take Forest Road 8225 to the junction with Forest Road 8225060; turn right and the cabin is 150 yards on the left. Automobile access typically becomes impossible after snowfalls (typically November/December through April). WINTER: Ski or snowmobile access from Snow King Sno-park via Lava loop to Pipeline loop, then NW on FS 181 to FS 8225, turn right on FS 8225 to FS 8225060, then right to cabin (total ~3.5 miles). From Pineside Sno-park follow FS 8225 to the junction with 060 and turn right (total ~3.4 miles; this route is uphill and not recommended for skiers).
Accessible from Mt. Adams Recreation Highway via Pineside Sno-Park, then Forest Road 8225 to Forest Road 8225060.
Nearby places
Trout Lake — about 20 minutes when road is not impassable by snow

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.2
13 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Gotchen Guard Station has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
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Last updated December 10, 2025
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