Recreation Region: Idaho City Ranger District

Graham Guard Station - Rental Cabin

This site must be reserved through Recreation.gov. Once the reservation is made, cabin quests will receive an email from Recreation.gov with the combination to the cabin.

The Graham cabin, a former Forest Service Guard Station, is an ideal getaway for motorcyclists, flight enthusiasts and equestrians, for whom getting there is half the fun. An airstrip is just across from the cabin for guests who want to fly in, and the surrounding terrain is ideal for traversing on foot, horseback or motorcycle.

Guests to the cabin will find a few amenities but may need to bring some additional supplies and gear to make their stay comfortable. The beauty of the surrounding landscape and the abundance of recreational activities make for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

The airstrip is generally free of snow from late May until the beginning of October; use appropriate landing precautions for this backcountry airstrip. Road access is with only with high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles, because visitors must ford North Fork Boise River to get to the cabin.

Natural Features:

Graham Cabin is located on the North Fork Boise River, adjacent to the Sawtooth Wilderness at an elevation of 5,720 feet. The dwelling sits in an open grassy area surrounded by the rugged mountain peaks of the Sawtooth Range, which are dotted with evergreens. The surrounding area still exhibits some signs of a past forest fire.

Wildlife watchers may spot elk, deer, mountain goats, wolves, coyotes, cougars, bobcats and bears. The occasional wolverine may also be seen, as their numbers are growing within the Sawtooth Wilderness.

Recreation:

Several trails located within 2 miles of the cabin offer superb horseback riding opportunities, including the nearby Horse Heaven Trail. These trails are in varying stages of maintenance but tend to be in good condition for at least 2 miles. Hikers can follow the river all the way to its headwaters in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Motorcyclists can ride the nearby roads.

Fishing is good in the river and nearby Johnson Creek. Big game hunting is a popular activity in season. Livestock are permitted at Graham Cabin.

Reservations

Recreation.gov

General Information

Facilities:

Cabin sleeps 6 people. The provisions in the cabin are for emergency situations; do not use them unless absolutely necessary.

If you choose to visit the cabin, ensure you are adequately prepared and experienced for the extreme back country conditions you may encounter.

For site specific questions, contact the Idaho City Ranger District.

Beginning of July - End of September

Beginning of July - End of September Unless closed by snow

Overnight Use: $35/night (6 people max).
*Sites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.*

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 43.9541

Longitude: -115.2733

Directions

The Graham Cabin is 53 miles northeast of Idaho City, Idaho.

From Idaho City, travel north along State Highway 21 for 18 miles to Forest Service (FS) Road 384 (Crooked River/Little Owl Road).
Turn onto FS Road 384 and proceed 4 miles to FS Road 312 (Pikes Fork Road).
Turn right onto FS Road 312 and travel approximately 26 miles.
There are only 2 major road intersections on FS Road 312; just keep bearing right and follow the directional signs.

Vehicle access to the area is generally limited from mid-July to the beginning of October due to high elevation snow.

The road is extremely rocky and rutted and has steep sections; you also have to ford the river. Only high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Plan on a minimum 3-hour trip from Idaho City to the cabin.

Guests arriving on horseback can either ride horses the last 10 miles of FS Road 312 or ride the 6-mile Horse Heaven Trail from FS Road 327 (just beyond Deer Park).