Short Creek Guard Station
Malheur National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Prairie City, OR, OR
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (12 reviews)
Season: May through October
Short Creek Guard Station is a great place to stay to enjoy the nearby Monument Rock and Strawberry Mountain wilderness areas, as well as the North Fork of the Malheur Scenic River. The cabin offers access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing and viewing wildlife. The cabin provides all the comforts of a home, including drinking water during the summer months.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/short-creek-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Short Creek Guard Station offers access to Monument Rock and Strawberry Mountain wilderness areas plus the North Fork of the Malheur Scenic River. The cabin provides full amenities including flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and propane-powered kitchen facilities.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area; also Northern Flicker, Red Crossbill, and Ruffed Grouse documented within 8km
Insider tips for Short Creek Guard Station: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 1 site Propane powers cookstove, refrigerator, heater, and lamps; plan accordingly Access to hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking in nearby wilderness
Skip Short Creek Guard Station if: Need RV hookups—no hookups available. Traveling outside May-October season. Prefer traditional tent camping to cabin stays.
Best time to visit Short Creek Guard Station: May-October — Official operating season; drinking water available during summer months.
Nearby campgrounds: Trout Farm Campground (Prairie City, OR), South Fork Campground (Wallowa-Whitman) (Baker City, OR), Big Creek Campground (Prairie City, OR), Murray Campground (Prairie City, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Short Creek Guard Station
Cell signal at Short Creek Guard Station (Prairie City, OR): 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.
Short Creek Guard Station is a great place to stay to enjoy the nearby Monument Rock and Strawberry Mountain wilderness areas, as well as the North Fork of the Malheur Scenic River. The cabin offers access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing and viewing wildlife. The cabin provides all the comforts of a home, including drinking water during the summer months.
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 only 1 site
Propane powers cookstove, refrigerator, heater, and lamps; plan accordingly
Access to hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking in nearby wilderness
Official operating season; drinking water available during summer months
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 the town of Prairie City, OR., turn South (right) onto South Main Street. Follow South Main Street to the junction with Bridge Street, turn left onto Bridge Street. Follow Bridge Street past the local cemetery, the road then changes to County Road 62. Continue on County Road 62 approximately 7 miles to the junction with Forest Road 13. Turn left and follow Forest Road 13 East approximately 16.5 miles, the guard station will be on the right at the junction of Forest Road 13 and Forest Road 1
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 — Malheur National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Malheur 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 Short Creek Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Short Creek Guard Station open?+
Does Short Creek Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Short Creek Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Short Creek Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Short Creek Guard Station?+
What season is Short Creek Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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