Piney Guard Station in CO -- Campground & RV Camping

Piney Guard Station is a historic 1930s log cabin sitting at 9,100 feet in the White River National Forest near Vail. The single-room, 14-by-22-foot structure sleeps four with a bunk bed, two cots, a woodstove, and a table. Outside sits a picnic table, fire ring, and vault toilet. The cabin lacks drinking water, electricity, and trash service, requiring guests to pack in water and propane cylinders for the provided stove and lantern. Surrounding aspen and conifer forests offer immediate access to multi-use trails, game hunting, and views of the Gore Range across the road.

Getting there: Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 miles or heading west from Denver about 119 miles to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, you must follow seasonal access directions to the cabin, as detailed below:Winter season Accessing the cabin during the winter season (November 23rd - May 20th) depends on snowpack. If the snowpack is minimal, you may be able to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the gravel pile parking area at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744 which is approximately 7 miles from the Highway 131. If snow is moderate to low, you may be able to travel to the Forest boundary, where there is a small pull out that can fit 2 vehicles. The Forest boundary is approximately 5.3 miles from the guard station. With low snowpack, you can likely make it to the intersection of FSR 700 and 734 and parking at the gravel pile parking area. You will have to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe on Forest Road #744 for approximately 3 miles to the cabin. During high snowpack, park at the intersection of Forest Road #700 and Highway 131. From here, travel via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes on Forest Road #700 for approximately 7 miles. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 miles to the cabin.Summer season During the summer season (May21st - November 22nd), it is highly recommended to use a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the guard station. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and often muddy. This road can damage vehicles that are not suitable for rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or lower clearance 4WD vehicle, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. From this location, one must hike or mountain bike to the cabin with gear and supplies. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV/ATV) is permitted to access the cabin from the intersection of Forest Roads #700 and #744.

• Well separated here, a single-site campground with the nearest through road 1.4 miles off.
• Cabins and shelters rather than pads, with most of them shaded.
• Piney Ridge stands 2,509 ft above the map pin, 5.4 miles northeast.

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