USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Third Fork Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to October 10
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,671 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- RAMMAGE MEADOWS (NFSR 653) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Boise National Forest
- Address
- BOISE, ID
- Phone
- 541-351-1182
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Third Fork Cabin is a former guard station, first established in 1906 as Station 10 and renamed Third Fork in 1908. A cabin was built at that time, which
existed until the site was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. The current cabin's exterior has changed little since that time, with the exception of a metal roof being added sometime before 1984.
The cabin is available between mid-April until late-October, and is accessible by car. Many modern comforts are provided at the cabin, but guests may need to bring some additional supplies and gear for their stay.
Recreation
Anglers can fish in adjacent Squaw Creek, and big game hunting is also a popular pastime.
Facilities
This rustic cabin sleeps four people with one double bed and two single beds with mattresses. Other amenities include a propane cook range, table with chairs, hot water heater, indoor flush toilet, shower and propane heater and refrigerator. A picnic table, campfire ring and pedestal grill sit within the fenced yard.
A camp host is located at Antelope Campground, 18 miles east in the Sagehen Reservoir area, where firewood can be purchased.
While the water at the cabin is potable, guests should bring their own supply of drinking water as a back-up. Bedding, lighting, cookware and utensils are not provided. Guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
Natural Features
Third Fork Cabin sits in a steep mountain landscape heavily forested with old-growth Ponderosa pine at an approximate elevation of 4,700 feet. Tall grasses and various hardwoods grow on the site. Small mountain streams containing native fish flow nearby, and the area is marked by unusual juxtapositions of basalt and granitic rock.
Wildlife watchers may spot elk or deer wandering through the area during dawn or dusk, as well as glimpse a bear or moose. Birders can look for a wide variety of bird species.
Nearby Attractions
Sagehen Reservoir is a popular recreation area about 18 miles east of the cabin, offering numerous trails for off-road vehicles, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message. Fishing and boating are permitted in the reservoir, and there is also a picnic area at Sagehen Dam.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 21° | -5° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 25° | -9° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 45° | 29° | 10° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 51° | 31° | 22° | 74° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 43° | 32° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 50° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 89° | 61° | 46° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 87° | 60° | 51° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 51° | 42° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 60° | 38° | 27° | 76° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 48° | 31° | 10° | 63° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 23° | 1° | 52° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Cartwright Ridge Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Antelope (Boise National Forest, ID) · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 14 sites
- Sagehen Creek · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 9 sites
- Hollywood Point Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Eastside · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.