Upper Crossing Guard Station
Rio Grande National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Saguache, CO, CO
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (32 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Upper Crossing Guard Station is located at an elevation of 8,400 feet, along a scenic byway near the Continental Divide, offering visitors a comfortable lodging experience in a remote setting in Rio Grande National Forest. This guard station is the original headquarters of the old Cochetopa National Forest that existed for only a few years during the early part of the last century. Today, guests to the guard station will find plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation in south central
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-crossing-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Upper Crossing Guard Station is a rustic cabin at 8,400 feet elevation along a scenic byway near the Continental Divide in Rio Grande National Forest, offering a secluded setting with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Campers praise the beautiful location close to Saguache and the accessibility features.
Wildlife alert: American Elk, American Lynx, Pronghorn, American Beaver, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Bluebird, and Sandhill Crane are present in the area.
Insider tips for Upper Crossing Guard Station: Book early—this is a federal campground with limited availability (1 site) Verify access route before arrival; road south of gate crosses private property and is not open to public Inspect cabin cleanliness upon arrival; previous guests may not have cleaned
Skip Upper Crossing Guard Station if: Expecting hookups—no hookups available at this site. Need modern hotel-style accommodations—this is a rustic cabin. Concerned about maintenance—reviews note cabin upkeep issues.
Best time to visit Upper Crossing Guard Station: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted; winter sports available.
Nearby campgrounds: Carnero Guard Station (SAGUACHE, CO), Stone Cellar Guard Station (Saguache, CO), Brewery Creek Guard Station (SAGUACHE, CO), Penitente Canyon Campground (Monte Vista, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Crossing Guard Station
Cell signal at Upper Crossing 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.
Upper Crossing Guard Station is located at an elevation of 8,400 feet, along a scenic byway near the Continental Divide, offering visitors a comfortable lodging experience in a remote setting in Rio Grande National Forest. This guard station is the original headquarters of the old Cochetopa National Forest that existed for only a few years during the early part of the last century. Today, guests to the guard station will find plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation in south central Colorado.Upper Crossing Guard Station has all the amenities of a standard home, including electricity, heat and inside running water.
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 (1 site)
Verify access route before arrival; road south of gate crosses private property and is not open to public
Inspect cabin cleanliness upon arrival; previous guests may not have cleaned
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted; winter sports available
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 →
Access to the cabin is only allowed via the route described in this section. The road that leads to the south of the Guard Station gate crosses private property and is not open for public access to Highway 114. From Saguache, take Highway 114 west for approximately 22 miles. The turnoff for the Guard Station is 1 mile past County Road NN14. From Gunnison, remain on Highway 114 until approximately 4 miles past the Buffalo Pass Campground entrance. The exit to the station is between mile marker 39
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 Upper Crossing Guard Station cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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