Copper Basin Guard Station
Salmon-Challis National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Mackay, ID, ID
Price: From $100 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho.The Copper Basin Guard Station is a 900 square foot, two bedroom log cabin that can sleep up to six adults comfortably, with room for eight people total. The cabin comes furnished with one queen bed with mattress, two full sized bunk beds with mattresses, and a queen sized sleeper couch in the living room. Other amenities include a propane cook stove, propane refrige
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/copper-basin-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Copper Basin Guard Station offers access to rugged recreation in the Pioneer Mountains with fishing, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities. A camper noted clean bathrooms despite proximity to the road.
Wildlife alert: Shiras Moose, American Red Squirrel, Western Tanager
Insider tips for Copper Basin Guard Station: Book early - this is a federal campground with limited availability Only 1 site available despite amenities listed Trail Creek Road transitions from paved to unpaved - check conditions before visiting
Skip Copper Basin Guard Station if: You need RV hookups - no hookups available at this site. You prefer year-round camping - seasonal operations only May through October. You want multiple site options - only 1 site total.
Best time to visit Copper Basin Guard Station: May-October — Official operating season.
Nearby campgrounds: Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site (Challis, ID), Loristica Group Campground (MACKAY, ID), Boundary (Id) (Hailey, ID), Murdock Campground (Hailey, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Copper Basin Guard Station
Cell signal at Copper Basin Guard Station (Mackay, ID): 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.
Copper Basin Guard Station is located in Copper Basin, a rugged and beautiful area in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho.The Copper Basin Guard Station is a 900 square foot, two bedroom log cabin that can sleep up to six adults comfortably, with room for eight people total. The cabin comes furnished with one queen bed with mattress, two full sized bunk beds with mattresses, and a queen sized sleeper couch in the living room. Other amenities include a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, propane furnace, propane lights, wood stove, table with benches and chairs, table settings for eight, kitchen tools and cleaning supplies.
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 - this is a federal campground with limited availability
Only 1 site available despite amenities listed
Trail Creek Road transitions from paved to unpaved - check conditions before visiting
Official operating season
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 →
From Mackay, Idaho, drive north on Highway 93 approximately 17 miles and take a left on the Trail Creek Road. Travel approximately 15 miles on the Trail Creek Road. This road starts as paved and turns to gravel at approximately 12 miles. Turn left at the Wild horse/Copper Basin turnoff, and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles and bear left on Road #135. This road continues for approximately 14 miles. The Copper Basin Guard Station is on the right at the intersection of Roads 135 and
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 — Salmon-Challis National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Salmon-Challis National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Copper Basin Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Copper Basin Guard Station open?+
Does Copper Basin Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Copper Basin Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Copper Basin Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Copper Basin Guard Station?+
What season is Copper Basin Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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