Overview
The Mammoth Guard station is located at 8,600 feet in elevation. There are two cabins on the grounds. The Mammoth Cabin was built on site while the Lake Cabin was moved to the site from its original location in the 1980s. Both cabins were constructed in the 1930s serving as forest ranger and fire crew dwellings for many years. The cabins overlook a wide expanse of sagebrush valleys with timbered slopes and ridgelines. The grounds that cabins are located is also an active administrative site. Visitors can expect to see Forest Service personnel using the grounds adjacent to the cabins.
Travel Trailers and RVs are not permitted at this facility. If others are seeking to be close to your group during your reservation they should look at the nearby campgrounds at Gooseberry Group Campground and Gooseberry Reservoir.
Recreation
Gooseberry Reservoir is located approximately one and a half miles to the north of the cabins. Fishing is available from the shore, however, the only boating allowed on the reservoir is non-motorized. The reservoir also has several RV sites which can accommodate larger RVs in addition to pit toilets. Gooseberry Campground is approximately 3/4 mile to the south and has several campsites for tents and small to medium RVs, drinking water, and pit toilets are available. A fee is required at both of these sites.
Within 10 miles of the cabins, there are several other lakes and reservoirs. Please check fishing and boating laws for the reservoirs. Access to the Arapeen OHV trail system is available within a few miles of the cabins.
Facilities
The Mammoth Cabin and Lake Cabin have water with a flush toilet and shower in the bathrooms; kitchens are equipped with sinks, stove, and simple cookware (pots/pans, silverware, utensils). A refrigeration unit is not available in the cabins so please plan accordingly. Basic cleaning supplies are provided along with toilet paper. The Mammoth Cabin has two sets of bunk beds with mattresses. The Lake Cabin has two sets of bunk beds with mattresses. The Mammoth Cabin and Lake Cabin can be reserved either individually or together. The Mammoth Cabin has a wood burning stove as an additional source of heat. Pets are not permitted inside the cabins.The garage is used by Forest Service personnel. Please do not block access to the garage.
Natural Features
The cabins are situated in a spruce, fir and aspen forest setting with many mature trees on the facility grounds. You can view wildlife from the front porch of either cabin in the open meadows in the immediate area, including deer, elk, badger, eagles, hawks and more. The Mammoth Cabin receives the most shaded sunlight, while the Lake Cabin receives more direct sunlight.
Nearby Attractions
Located in the Fairview City Museum there is a life size replica of a Columbian Mammoth that was found approximately 10 miles southeast of the cabins. The museum also offers exhibits with artifacts and history from the native people of the area as well as a history of the later settlers. There is access to the 350+ mile Arapeen trail system to the south as well as the Forest roads to the north.
