Carnero Guard Station
Rio Grande National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: SAGUACHE, CO, CO
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (19 reviews)
Season: May through October
Carnero Guard Station is situated in a high open meadow surrounded by forest at an elevation of 9,840 feet. The high-elevation cabin is located in the north-central area of the San Luis Valley in the Rio Grande National Forest. The guard station was first proposed in 1907 by the Cochetopa National Forest, and was originally named the John Smith Ranger Station after a homesteader who built a cabin near the site, but never filed on the land.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/carnero-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Carnero Guard Station offers a remote high-elevation camping experience at 9,840 feet in a scenic open meadow surrounded by forest within Rio Grande National Forest. The location provides access to diverse outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.
Wildlife alert: Moose, American Beaver, Yellow-bellied Marmot, and Prairie Falcon present in the area; exercise caution during wildlife interactions.
Insider tips for Carnero Guard Station: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site High elevation (9,840 feet) means cold nights even in summer—bring warm bedding Fishing available on-site; bring gear for high-alpine trout waters
Skip Carnero Guard Station if: You need hookups—no hookups available at this site. You're visiting November through April—campground closes seasonally. You prefer developed campgrounds—this is a remote guard station with vault toilets only.
Best time to visit Carnero Guard Station: May-October — Official operating season per verified campground data.
Nearby campgrounds: Upper Crossing Guard Station (Saguache, CO), Penitente Canyon Campground (Monte Vista, CO), Stone Cellar Guard Station (Saguache, CO), Alder Guard Station (Del Norte, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Carnero Guard Station
Cell signal at Carnero Guard Station (SAGUACHE, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Carnero Guard Station is situated in a high open meadow surrounded by forest at an elevation of 9,840 feet. The high-elevation cabin is located in the north-central area of the San Luis Valley in the Rio Grande National Forest. The guard station was first proposed in 1907 by the Cochetopa National Forest, and was originally named the John Smith Ranger Station after a homesteader who built a cabin near the site, but never filed on the land.
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 entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
High elevation (9,840 feet) means cold nights even in summer
bring warm bedding
Fishing available on-site; bring gear for high-alpine trout waters
Official operating season per verified campground data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Carnero Guard Station may be reached by traveling south on Highway 285 approximately 15 miles south of Saguache to the La Garita turnoff (Road G). In La Garita proceed west on County Road 41G for approximately 17 miles. Look for the cabin on the right. NOTE: Forest Road 41G leading to the cabin is unimproved but may be traveled by passenger car, weather permitting. The cabin may also be accessed from Highway 114 west of Saguache, also on Forest Road 41G. During winter months, the cabin may be ac
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 Carnero Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Carnero Guard Station open?+
Does Carnero Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Carnero Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Carnero Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Carnero Guard Station?+
What season is Carnero Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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