Alder Guard Station

The numbers that decide it

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

Alder Guard Station

The Alder Guard Station is located two miles north of the town of South Fork along Alder Creek. The guard station was built in 1910 and was the residence and office for the local ranger district. The guard station is ideally situated to access trails and roads in the area to explore the Divide Ranger District. The area offers many opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, 4-wheel drive adventures, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, etc. The trailhead for the Alder Bench Trail is located just north of the guard station. Forest Road 610 is a 4x4 gravel road north of the guard station. The kitchen and bathroom have been renovated. There is electricity, hot water, indoor toilet, electric stove, refrigerator, dining room table, kitchen table, two bunkbeds, one single bed (with mattresses) on the second floor and a couch on the first floor. Some kitchen utensils and pots and pans are provided. Bring sleeping bags and/or blankets/sheets. There is a wood stove in the guard station (wood and splitting maul provided) and several picnic tables outside. The wood stove is the only source of heat for the guard station. Renters are required to pack out all garbage. Do not burn the garbage in the fire pit or wood stove! Pack it in, pack it out! The cabin must be cleaned before leaving. Please leave the cabin in the condition you would like to find it. Visitors to the National Forest are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the Forest. Contact the Divide Ranger District at 719-657-3321 (the Distirct office cannot make or modify reservations).

Before you go

Scenic drives that pass close

• Silver Thread Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway2 mi