Forest Glen Cabin (Guard Station)
This historic guard station offers you a unique stay in the oldest Forest Service building on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This charming two-story structure was built in 1916 under the direction of John T. Grey, District Ranger of the Mad River Ranger District on the old Trinity National Forest. The upper and lower levels of the guard station measure 24x18 feet and can accommodate up to eight people. The lower level has a large kitchen area with electric range and refrigerator, table, chairs, futon couch that doubles as a bed, and indoor bathroom accommodations. The upper level is finished in striking pinewood and has two rooms separated by a partition wall. There is a king bed in one room and two twin beds in the other. A five-foot high porch adorns the front of the cabin.
Reservations
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234405
Please call the Weaverville Ranger Station at (530) 623-2121 to confirm lock combination 4 days prior to arrival.
General Information
The cabin has electricity. The lower level has a living area with two barrel chairs and a double futon, along with a large kitchen area equipped with a cook stove and refrigerator, dining table, and chairs. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.
There is an indoor bathroom with flush toilet. There are 4 twin beds, and a double futon, and sleeping bags can be placed on the floor to accommodate a total of eight people in the cabin. Visitors should bring all bed linens (e.g., sheets, blankets, sleeping bags and/or blankets, pillows), kitchen linens, and bath towels.
A fire pit, Adirondak chairs, and picnic table are provided outside.
Space heaters are in the cabin.
Individual reservations operate on a 6-month rolling basis:
- Availability is released from Thu, April 17th 2025 through Wed, September 24th 2025. Select dates for availability.
- On March 25, 2025 at 07:00 am PDT, availability will be released through September 25, 2025.
Reservations are required and can be obtained through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) @ recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Fire Restrictions: Special fire restrictions limit the use of campfires, charcoal fires, smoking, and operation of most internal combustion engines at certain times of the year. Call the Hayfork Ranger Station at (530) 628-5227 to find out if any restrictions are in place. The use of portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel is allowed with a valid California campfire permit. Renter can obtain a free California campfire permit at any Forest Service, CalFire, or Bureau of Land Management office, or online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/. Smoking is prohibited within the cabin; during extreme fire conditions, smoking must be done within enclosed vehicles. Fireworks are prohibited on all National Forest lands.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Fee: $75 per night
A short distance away is the South Fork Trinity River and the swimming is great! Close by, at Scott Flat Campground, there is the trailhead for the South Fork National Recreational Trail. The trail is a total of 21 miles, but the first 7.2-miles that parallel the South Fork Trinity River are the most traversed. The South Fork Trinity River is one of the most scenic waterways in Northern California. A visit to this area is like stepping back one hundred years in time. Forest Glen is available for rent from mid-April to the beginning of December.
Getting There
Directions
Coming from the south on I-5, take California State Highway 36 West at Red Bluff. Continue on CA-36 West for approximately 75 miles to Forest Glen. Pass Forest Glen Campground on the north (right), cross the South Fork Trinity River Bridge and turn south (left) directly after crossing the bridge onto Forest Road 1S26.
Coming from the north on I-5, take either California State Highway 36 West (directions above) or California State Highway 299 West (follow signs from I-5). Once on CA-299, go west for approximately 37 miles. Turn south (left) on CA-3 directly before Douglas City. Follow CA-3 South for approximately 35 miles (passing through Hayfork) to the junction of CA-3 and CA-36. Turn west (right) on CA-36 and continue to Forest Glen. Pass Forest Glen Campground on the north (right), cross the South Fork Trinity River Bridge and turn south (left) directly after crossing the bridge onto Forest Road 1S26.
Coming from the west on US-101, take California State Highway 36 East. Continue on CA-36 East for approximately 60 miles toward Forest Glen. Turn south (right) on Forest Road 1S26 directly before crossing the South Fork Trinity River Bridge.
The Forest Glen Guard Station is the first cabin on the right.
Latitude
40° 22' 0.9998" N
Longitude
123° 19' 0.9998" W
Travel Considerations
Please note: Do NOT rely on GPS systems, particularly those on phones, as this can result in you being led off track onto Forest roads that cannot be traversed with all vehicle types. The cabin is off of a major Northern California Highway; there is no appropriate or direct route via gravel or dirt forest roads, except for the very short traverse to the cabin on the 1S26 Road directly off of CA-36.
Facility and Amenity Information
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Viewing Scenery
Viewing Plants
Viewing Wildlife
Day Hikes Info
The South Fork National Recreational Trail can be accessed one and a half miles up the road from the cabin, or from the Scott Flat Campground when conditions permit crossing the swinging footbridge. The trail is 21 miles long, but the first 7.2-miles that parallel the South Fork Trinity River are the most traversed. The trail offers numerous scenic views. Visitors may also want to drive to Ruth Lake for a picnic and additional hiking, which is about a 45 minute drive west of the cabin. Visitors can find a few excellent swimming holes on the South Fork Trinity River.
Biking - Mountain Info
The South Fork National Recreational Trail can be accessed one and a half miles up the road from the cabin, or from the Scott Flat Campground when conditions permit crossing the swinging footbridge. The trail is 21 miles long, but the first 7.2-miles that parallel the South Fork Trinity River are the most traversed. The trail offers numerous scenic views. Visitors may also want to drive to Ruth Lake for a picnic and additional hiking, which is about a 45 minute drive west of the cabin. Visitors can find a few excellent swimming holes on the South Fork Trinity River.
Swimming Info
Forest Glen Guard Station is located in the Hayfork Area, an area rich in natural beauty. One of its three major watersheds is the South Fork Trinity River, which is adjacent to the guard station and considered to be one of wildest and most scenic waterways in northern California. Glen Creek flows year round right next to the cabin. The surrounding area is forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas Fir, and oak. There are many numerous open meadows in the area.
There are many swimming holes along the Trinity River located at nearby campgrounds.