Alder Guard Station Cabin
The Alder Guard Station is located two miles north of the town of South Fork along Alder Creek. The guard station was built in 1910 and was the residence and office for the local ranger district. The guard station is ideally situated to access trails and roads in the area to explore the Divide Ranger District.
The kitchen and bathroom have been renovated. There is electricity, hot water, indoor toilet, electric stove, refrigerator, dining room table, kitchen table, two bunkbeds, one single bed (with mattresses) on the second floor and a couch on the first floor. Some kitchen utensils and pots and pans are provided. Bring sleeping bags and/or blankets/sheets.
There is a wood stove in the guard station (wood and splitting maul provided) and several picnic tables outside. The wood stove is the only source of heat for the guard station. Firewood is provided.
The area offers many opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, 4-wheel drive adventures, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, etc. The trailhead for the Alder Bench Trail is located just north of the guard station. Forest Road 610 is a 4x4 gravel road north of the guard station.
Alder Guard Station Cabin
Reservations
Must reserve this cabin through Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
General Information
Renters are required to pack out all garbage. Do not burn the garbage in the fire pit or wood stove! Pack it in, pack it out!
The cabin must be cleaned before leaving. Please leave the cabin in the condition you would like to find it. Visitors to the National Forest are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the Forest. Contact the Divide Ranger District at 719-657-3321 (the District office cannot make or modify reservations).
Cabin opening date: mid-May
Cabin closing date: End of September
Check in time is after 2:00 pm. Check out time is before 12:00 pm.
No trash service.
Cabin Site:
Overnight Use: $50/night.
Reservations through recreation.gov will have a reservation fee of $8.00 per reservation.
Contact Name: Divide Ranger District
Contact Phone: 719-657-3321
Address: 13308 West US Hwy 160 Del Norte, CO 81132
Phone: (719) 657-3321
Hours: Monday through Friday / 8:00 to 4:30 (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 37.70444355
Longitude: -106.6468774
Elevation
8400
Directions
From the city of South Fork Travel northwest on State Hwy 149 one mile until you cross the Rio Grande. Turn right on County Road 15. Travel east on 15 a little over a mile until you see a sign for Forest Road 610. Turn left and go north on 610 2 miles to the Alder Guard Station. Park behind the Guard Station at the trailhead.
Parking
Sufficient parking for several vehicles.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
