Campground

Kelley Guard Station

Bridger-Teton National Forest · KEMMERER · Wyoming — managed by USDA Forest Service

Books out fast — 3 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Kelley Guard Station campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USFS

Weekend availability at Kelley Guard Station

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 20, 4:45 AM PT

Sold out 6 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 30
    Sold out

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Kelley Guard Station?

as of September 20

Weekends book out well ahead here — 3 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Kelley Guard Station and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Even midweek is filling — 2 of the 3 weekdays we checked are gone.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Sold out
Oct 17Sold out
Nov 7Sold out
Nov 28Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Sold out
Oct 28Sold out
Nov 25Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
2
Cabin No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Kelley Guard Station is a historic Forest Service guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Located about 45 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, along the Big Springs Scenic Backway, the cabin attracts overnight guests year-round and provides convenient access to hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Big Springs Scenic Backway is a 68-mile road that boasts magnificent mountain views, wildflowers covered meadows and river valleys where grazing sheep may be spotted. Recreation Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and off-road vehicle riding are popular summer activities in the surrounding area. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing can be done right out the front door in winter. Facilities This rustic two-room cabin sleeps four people on two bunkbeds with mattresses. The kitchen is equipped with a propane stove, refrigerator that is shut off when not in use, propane lights and a small wood stove for heat. A picnic table and campfire ring are located outside the cabin.  Water is not available at this time. Guests should bring water for drinking and cooking. Outside vault toilet avalible year round with seasonal water faucet located outside. Some dishes, pots, pans and utensils are provided, however the presence of these items is not guaranteed.   No linens or bedding are provided. Recommended items to bring include food, bedding, dish soap, dish rags, toilet paper, garbage bags and a flashlight. If firewood is on site, this is a courtesy but is not guarenteed. If wood is available, please only use what you need. Always be prepared to collect locally or bring to site from local resources. Natural Features The cabin is perched on a grassy space surrounded by a stand of mixed conifers at 8,200 feet in elevation. Kelley Creek flows beside the guard station, offering a serene soundtrack of flowing water. Moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes are among the wildlife likely to be seen. An abundance of wildflowers color the landscape in summer. The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states.

Getting there

From Kemmerer, WY, follow U.S. Highway 189 north to the junction of Wyoming Highway 233 and Ham's Fork Road. Turn left on Ham's Fork Road and drive about 38 miles (the first 19 miles of this road is paved) to Ham's Fork Campground. Just past the campground, take the left fork in the road and cross Ham's Fork River. Drive about 2.5 miles to Green Knoll/Forest Road 10198 junction and turn left. Then drive 3.8 miles to Nugent Park/Forest Road 10069 junction and turn right. Drive 0.8 miles to Kelley Guard Station Road and turn right. The guard station is about 1/2-mile from the junction. Winter access is by snowmobile only on a 10-mile trail.

Elevation
8,160 ftCold nights, seasonal snow
Contact
307-877-4415

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • WINTER SPORTS
  • HUNTING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • HIKING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Kelley Guard Station

Popular Wyoming campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Kelley Guard Station around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.