Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Big Elk Guard Station - Oregon

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

History

Built in 1929 to replace a 1907 cabin, Big Elk Guard Station is the oldest continuously used administrative site within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. For many decades it served as summer headquarters for solitary forest "guards" who built forest trails, fought forest fires, and patrolled the forest on horseback. Most recently the site was used to house Forest Service seasonal fire crews. The cabin is the last remaining example of Forest Service log construction on the Forest. The cabin and associated outbuildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Description

Big Elk Guard Station, a rustic log cabin within a fenced yard, is located just off of Forest Service Road #37, the main access route through the east side of the beautiful Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The fully furnished cabin has two upper-story bunk rooms that are reached by a double landing staircase (the stairway is steep, and young children would require assistance going up and down). The first floor rooms include a large, comfortable living room with a mortared-rock fireplace (firewood is provided), and a well-equipped kitchen with a table and chairs, a dry sink, and an electric range and refrigerator. The original fir flooring remains intact. There are electric lights and heat throughout the cabin.

No potable water is available on site; visitors must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Water can be obtained at the North Fork Campground approximately 1 mile north on Forest Service Road #37. A vault toilet is located near the cabin. A picnic table and fire ring are available for outdoor dining. An outbuilding, circa mid-1930s and built by the Civilian Conservation Corp, acts as a storage shed for firewood.

Area Attractions & Activities

The cabin is located approximately 13 miles from Howard Prairie Lake to the South and 7 miles from Fish Lake to the North. There are several campgrounds along Forest Service Road #37. Hiking opportunities abound, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail to the south and west of Brown Mountain. Hike or mountain bike the trail between Fish Lake Campground and Lake of the Woods, which crosses through the Brown Mountain lava flows and has several interpretive signs along the way, as well as on the paved Forest Service Road #37 and other paved and gravel roads off of Forest Service Road #37. Additional opportunities for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling exist closer to the highly developed recreation areas around Howard Prairie Lake and Fish Lake, a resort with a restaurant, boats for rent and camping.

Amenities

• Vault Toilet
• Electric Refrigerator
• Electric Range
• Fireplace
• Table & Chairs
• Beds
• Picnic Table
• Garage
• Fenced yard with a gate
• Electricity – Lights
• No water

Pets

Pets are welcome.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

Drive east from Butte Falls on the Butte Falls-Fish Lake Highway (County Road #821) for approximately 19 miles to the junction with State Highway #140. Turn right, go one-eighth mile on Highway #140 to junction with Forest Service Road #37. Turn left, go approximately 4 miles to the junction with the guard station driveway, (the station is visible on the left from this location). Turn left, travel through the gate to the guard station.

For an alternative route to Big Elk Guard Station that bypasses the town of Butte Falls, take State Highway #140 traveling east from White City to the Junction with Forest Service Road #37, or take State Highway #140 traveling west from Klamath Falls to the Junction with Forest Service Road #37. Turning onto Forest Service Road #37 traveling south, follow directions as above to the guard station.