USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Yellowjacket Guard Station
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- June 8 to October 31
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,227 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
- YELLOWJACKET (NFSR 60112) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Salmon-Challis National Forest
- Nearest town
- SALMON
- Address
- 311 MCPHERSON ST, SALMON, ID, 83467
- Phone
- 208-756-5209
- Activities
- Auto Touring, Backpacking, Biking, Camping, Diving, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Off Highway Vehicle Trails, Off Road Vehicle Trails
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Yellowjacket Guard Station is a historic Forest Service Ranger Station and Work Center. Originally constructed in 1925 and remodeled in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the structure is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Recreation
Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts will find many trails in the surrounding area. Hunting is also a popular activity. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message
Facilities
The spacious guard station can sleep a maximum of three people in two bedrooms, with one full bed and one single bed. No linens or bedding are provided. The living room contains a couch, wood stove, table and chairs.
The small kitchen is equipped with a propane range/oven, a propane refrigerator and sink, but no running water. Guests must bring their own drinking water, as well as dishes, utensils and cookware.
The guard station is eqiuped with propane lights and an outhouse toilet that is located outside up a small hill.
Natural Features
The guard station sits in the Yellowjacket Mountains within the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho. The sizable front porch awards views of the scenic mountain meadow surrounding the station. A dense conifer forest covers the mountains and a few aspens dot the landscape. Beagle Creek flows nearby.
Nearby Attractions
Bighorn Crags, Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area and Panther Creek.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 13° | -6° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 32° | 14° | -12° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 22° | 9° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 42° | 26° | 8° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 53° | 34° | 22° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 67° | 44° | 31° | 84° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 55° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 53° | 41° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 69° | 44° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 32° | 21° | 71° | 8 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 25° | -14° | 59° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 30° | 11° | -5° | 44° | 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
- Yellowjacket Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Crags Campground Complex · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Mcdonald Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- Lost Spring Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
- Iron Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi
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.