Alder Guard Station
Rio Grande National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: Del Norte, CO, CO
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (12 reviews)
Season: May through October
Alder Guard Station is located 2 miles north of the town of South Fork along Alder Creek in the Rio Grande National Forest. The guard station was constructed in 1910 and was the residence and office for the local ranger district. Today the historic cabin is a comfortable getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south central Colorado.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/alder-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1910 cabin on Alder Creek in Rio Grande National Forest offers a unique cultural experience combined with excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities in south central Colorado.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area. Prairie Rattlesnake also observed — watch for snakes, especially in warmer months.
Insider tips for Alder Guard Station: Maximum 5-night reservation limit — book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site Firewood available for sale on-site; bring cash as options may be limited at remote location Access via Forest Road 610 from County Road 15 — high-clearance vehicles recommended for forest roads
Skip Alder Guard Station if: You need hookups — no electric or water hookups available despite amenities list. You want flexibility with stay length — maximum 5-night reservation enforced. You're visiting November through April — seasonal closure.
Best time to visit Alder Guard Station: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only; current forecast shows sunny conditions with moderate winds.
Nearby campgrounds: Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) (DEL NORTE, CO), Off Cow Camp Cabin (Del Norte, CO), Marshall Park (CREEDE, CO), Elwood Cabin (La Jara, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Alder Guard Station
Cell signal at Alder Guard Station (Del Norte, CO): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Alder Guard Station is located 2 miles north of the town of South Fork along Alder Creek in the Rio Grande National Forest. The guard station was constructed in 1910 and was the residence and office for the local ranger district. Today the historic cabin is a comfortable getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south central Colorado.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryMaximum 5-night reservation limit
book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
Firewood available for sale on-site; bring cash as options may be limited at remote location
Access via Forest Road 610 from County Road 15
high-clearance vehicles recommended for forest roads
Campground operates seasonally during these months only; current forecast shows sunny conditions with moderate winds
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From South Fork, Colorado: Travel approximately .5 miles on Highway 149 towards Creede. After crossing the Rio Grande River bridge, turn east (right) on County Road 15 (North River Road) and go approximately 1 mile to Forest Road 610. Turn north (left) on Forest Road 610 and go 2 miles. Alder Guard Station is on the left less than 50 yards from Forest Road 610.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Rio Grande National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Rio Grande National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Alder Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Alder Guard Station open?+
Does Alder Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Alder Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Alder Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Alder Guard Station?+
What season is Alder Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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