Malad Summit Guard Station
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: POCATELLO, ID, ID
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (20 reviews)
Season: May through October
Malad Summit Guard Station is located 14 miles north of Malad, Idaho on Malad Pass just off I-15. The rustic one-room cabin is in a forested setting in narrow Mill Creek Drainage, and offers a secluded retreat on fenced acreage surrounded by scenic high country views. The original guard station was established in 1908, but was replaced by the existing cabin in 1934.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/malad-summit-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Rustic 1-room cabin in a secluded, forested setting with scenic high country views and excellent maintenance. Highly rated by real campers (5/5 from 7 reviews) who praised updates to kitchen and beds, clean facilities, and working amenities.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, Uinta Ground Squirrel, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and Horned Lark present in the area. High mosquito populations reported in late June.
Insider tips for Malad Summit Guard Station: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site Arrive before heavy snow if visiting in winter months, as vehicle access becomes impossible Expect no running water at times—confirmed by recent guests
Skip Malad Summit Guard Station if: You need hookups—none available. You require year-round access—seasonal May through October operation. You're sensitive to mosquitoes—high populations reported in late June. You need modern amenities—induction cooktop only, no traditional stove or fridge as of recent visits.
Best time to visit Malad Summit Guard Station: May-October — Verified operating season. Winter access requires skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling when snow is present.. Late fall/early winter — One camper reported beautiful snowy forest conditions over Thanksgiving weekend..
Nearby campgrounds: Malad Summit Campground (POCATELLO, ID), Third Creek Group Site (POCATELLO, ID), Scout Mountain Campground (POCATELLO, ID), Mink Creek Group Site Campground (POCATELLO, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Malad Summit Guard Station
Cell signal at Malad Summit Guard Station (POCATELLO, ID): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 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.
Malad Summit Guard Station is located 14 miles north of Malad, Idaho on Malad Pass just off I-15. The rustic one-room cabin is in a forested setting in narrow Mill Creek Drainage, and offers a secluded retreat on fenced acreage surrounded by scenic high country views. The original guard station was established in 1908, but was replaced by the existing cabin in 1934.
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
Arrive before heavy snow if visiting in winter months, as vehicle access becomes impossible
Expect no running water at times
confirmed by recent guests
Verified operating season. Winter access requires skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling when snow is present.
One camper reported beautiful snowy forest conditions over Thanksgiving weekend.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Malad Guard Station is located 11 miles north of Malad, ID. On 1-15, take Exit 22 (Devil Creek Reservoir). Go north on N. Old Highway 191 for 3.5 miles. Turn left on E11000N/Forest Road 041 and cross over the interstate, drive 1.3 miles. At the bend keep right and continue on Forest Road 041 road for another mile. At the forest boundary there will be a Malad Summit Cabin sign and entrance gate. The cabin is located a few hundred feet past the entrance gate. Call the Westside Ranger District for
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 — Caribou-Targhee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Caribou-Targhee National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Malad Summit Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Malad Summit Guard Station open?+
Does Malad Summit Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Malad Summit Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Malad Summit Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Malad Summit Guard Station?+
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●Data sources on this page
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