Jackson Guard Station
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Montrose, CO, CO
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (42 reviews)
Season: May through October
Jackson Guard Station is a great destination for anything from a weekend getaway to a week-long hunting trip. The cabin was originally used as a guard station that housed Forest Service work crews. The cabin’s access road is remarkably scenic, making for an impressive arrival.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/jackson-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Jackson Guard Station offers a scenic cabin experience with diverse recreation from fishing and hiking to off-road vehicle riding and wildlife viewing. The remarkably scenic access road and location in the Big Cimarron Drainage make for an impressive arrival.
Wildlife alert: American Elk, Mule Deer, American Pika, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, and Hairy Woodpecker present in the area.
Insider tips for Jackson Guard Station: Book early — this is a federal campground with limited availability Bring your own water even in summer months Cabin includes matches and an ax for wood splitting
Skip Jackson Guard Station if: You need hookups — no hookups available at most sites. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You prefer established campgrounds — only 1 tent site available.
Best time to visit Jackson Guard Station: May-October — Official operating season for the campground; May offers accessible conditions with no snow..
Nearby campgrounds: Silver Jack Campground (Co) (Lakeside, CO), Beaver Lake (Co) (Cimarron, CO), Big Cimarron (Cimarron, CO), Amphitheater (Co) (OURAY, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Jackson Guard Station
Cell signal at Jackson Guard Station (Montrose, 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.
Jackson Guard Station is a great destination for anything from a weekend getaway to a week-long hunting trip. The cabin was originally used as a guard station that housed Forest Service work crews. The cabin’s access road is remarkably scenic, making for an impressive arrival.
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
Bring your own water even in summer months
Cabin includes matches and an ax for wood splitting
Official operating season for the campground; May offers accessible conditions with no snow.
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 Montrose, take Highway 50 east for about 20 miles. Turn right (south) onto County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on the left. From Gunnison, take Highway 50 west for roughly 43 miles. Turn left on County Road 858, which leads up the Big Cimarron Drainage for about 20 miles. Shortly after passing Silver Jack Reservoir on the right, Jackson Guard Station will be on t
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 — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Jackson Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Jackson Guard Station open?+
Does Jackson Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Jackson Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Jackson Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Jackson Guard Station?+
What season is Jackson Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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