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Pebble Guard Station is located at the base of Bonneville Peak along beautiful Pebble Creek, a tributary of the Portneuf River. The rustic one-room cabin offers a secluded retreat on four fenced acres, surrounded by high mountain vistas.
The original Pebble Guard Station was built in 1908. The current structure stands at a higher altitude and was built in 1933.
Guests can drive to Pebble Guard Station during warmer months, but it can only be accessed by snowmobile in winter. Those arriving in winter should expect to haul their gear and supplies for about 4 miles on a groomed trail. The cabin supplies most of the comforts of home, especially during the warmer months, but guests may need to bring some additional items.
Guests at Pebble Guard Station will find opportunities for recreation year-round. Hunting is a popular pastime, and a nearby beaver pond provides good fishing and wading. Trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles are nearby ([Idaho OHV safety message](http://www.recreation.gov/marketing.do?goto=%2Fsafety.htm)). In winter, the area turns into a snowmobiling playground.
The guard station offers a mudroom/porch with a large sink, countertop and shower facilities. The main room serves as the kitchen and sleeping room. Cabin amenities include a wood stove for heat, propane appliances (heater, stove/oven, water heater), two bunk beds with mattresses, two folding cots, limited
tableware and cookware, four chairs and a fold-down table.
A vault toilet, campfire ring, grill and picnic table are located outside. The parking area can accommodate
up to four RVs.
The cabin's water is shut off Late Sept., depending on weather, so winter guests need to bring their own water. Bedding, cleaning supplies, towels, garbage bags, first aid supplies, matches and flashlights are not provided. Guests are expected to clean the cabin and pack out their trash upon departure.
The cabin is located at 6,320 feet on the open foothills of Pebble Basin, which offers expansive views into the high country of Bonneville Peak. This peak is the highest of the Portneuf Range, and the mountains of this range are covered with pine forest and green vegetation.
A variety of wildlife inhabits this area, including mule deer, elk, cougars, coyote and black bears ([bear safety tips](http://www.recreation.gov/marketing.do?goto=%2FwildlifeAlert.html)).
Lava Hot Springs makes a fun day trip from the cabin. Visitors can enjoy a natural hot springs soaking pool, Olympic-sized swimming pool, waterslides and diving platforms. Two 9-hole disc golf courses are linked around the Lava Hot Springs pool complex.
Tubing on the Portneuf River is also a very popular activity. Tube rentals are available throughout town.
Pebble Guard Station is located about 16 miles north of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Just east of Lava Hot Springs, look for the "Pebble Area" sign and turn left (north) onto Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30. Go north on the paved highway for 9 miles to Pebble Creek Road (known locally as Mike's Place or Whiskey Mike's). Turn left (west), across railroad tracks on gravel Forest Road 036. Travel 6.5 miles to the guard station. (This road is locked closed on November 15th of each year.) Big Springs Campground is 1/2-mile beyond the cabin.
Comfortably rustic. Far enough out there to truly get away from it all, but close enough to Lava Hot Springs to drive in for a soak and some dinner.
Great place for upscale camping! Very secluded, so secluded, I bet there are bodies buried close to this location. I didn't hear any zombies or tortured souls, but I'm a heavy sleeper, you should ask my wife if you wanna know about that.
Beautiful snow shoe trip to cabin. Wasn't too impressed with cabin, pretty filthy, propane heater didn't work, the smell was horrendous with dead mice all over. I'm sure not too many people stay in the winter but it was pretty nasty. The place has potential and the scenery and wildlife were awesome!
What a great place to camp! The cabin itself was lovely. No electricity, but running water: deep kitchen sink and SHOWER! The bathroom was just an outhouse, but it was spacious enough not to really stink. Bring a lantern for the bathroom and one for the cabin because the propane chandelier is a hassle and there's no light at night in the toilet. There were limited flat places to set up auxiliary tents, though we made do. We very comfortably accommodated nine adults and four kids around the property. It's a large, private campground, so it was perfect for our loud, rowdy family reunion.
We loved staying here. We had two campers we parked in the drive and two people slept in the cabin. Such a cute little mountain cabin! Easy to find and easy to get to. Not too far from lava hot springs but far enough you can enjoy the mountains and camp without people right next to you. We had such a great time camping up there and hanging out. It's so beautiful and peaceful! We'll definitely go again! The forest service does a great job at keeping the cabin and grounds neat and maintained. They stock a lot of chopped wood too which is really nice. We saw tons of wildlife!
