Campsite Sniper
Idaho · Recreation.gov

Malad Summit Guard Station

42.3494° N / 112.2575° W · Data Sep 18 2026, checked hourly
Next open date Sep 20Next open weekend Nov 61 monitored site

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Every site at Malad Summit Guard Station, colored by availability across the tracked window. Tap a site for its calendar.
Malad Summit Guard Station

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01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234609

When Malad Summit Guard Station reopens

Malad Summit Guard Station's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 7 days
0
Openings · last 30 days
3
Openings · last 90 days
3

Only 3 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.

02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 1 monitored site

Of the 183 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 151 open for online reservation · 32 reserved.

Where the open windows are

17.5% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 151 of 183 remain open; here is where they are.

Load status

Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027
Not open online17.5%
Open site-nights151 / 183
Reserved (of online inventory)32 / 183
Weekday openings97
Weekend openings54

Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 97 fall on weekdays and 54 on weekends (Fri–Sun).

Open dates by month

Sep 2026 – Mar 2027
0102030406142729312519SEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARSOLID = OPEN SITE-NIGHTS · DASHED OUTLINE = TOTAL BOOKABLE

January holds the most room. 31 of 31 site-nights are still open there.

Holiday windows

Sites open per night · of 1 site
WindowNightSites openStatus
Labor DaySAT Sep 50None open
SUN Sep 60None open
MON Sep 70None open
ThanksgivingTHU Nov 261Open
FRI Nov 270None open
SAT Nov 280None open
ChristmasTHU Dec 241Open
FRI Dec 251Open
New YearTHU Dec 311Open
FRI Jan 11Open

Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: no site is currently available for the complete three-night stay. Friday and Saturday have no online availability; individual Thursday night remains open. Christmas: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay.

Availability

Most open site-nights · tracked window
SiteOpen site-nights
01  151

This site currently has 151 site-nights available.

Next windows

As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshot
Next open dateSun · Sep 20
Next open weekendFri · Nov 6

The next bookable night is Sep 20; the first open weekend starts Nov 6. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.

Stays and site detail

151 open site-nights across 1 site at Malad Summit Guard Station, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.

Multi-night stays. 11 2-night, 10 3-night, 4 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 20 at site 01.

RV length. Longest recorded site here is 50 ft. 1 site takes 25 ft, 1 site takes 35 ft, 1 site takes 40 ft.

All 1 site with current availability
SiteMax RVHookupsOpen site-nightsLongest runDates
0150 ftNone15161 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 11, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 19 +139 more

About Malad Summit Guard Station

Overview

Malad Summit Guard Station is located 14 miles north of Malad, Idaho on Malad Pass just off I-15. The rustic one-room cabin is in a forested setting in narrow Mill Creek Drainage, and offers a secluded retreat on fenced acreage surrounded by scenic high country views.

The original guard station was established in 1908, but was replaced by the existing cabin in 1934. The cabin is accessible by car when there is no snow. Guests should be prepared in snowy conditions to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile half a mile from the plowed road to reach the cabin. The guard station offers many amenities for a comfortable stay, but fewer conveniences are available in winter.

Recreation

The surrounding area offers a variety of recreational activities. Trails are provided for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and off-road vehicles ( Idaho OHV safety message ).

Anglers can fish for small brook trout in Mill Creek. Hunting for game and game birds is another popular pastime.

Facilities

Malad Summit Guard Station is located near Mill Creek. The cabin can sleep six people on the three bunkbeds provided.

Amenities include three bunkbeds with mattresses, a wood stove, table with four chairs, a broom and dustpan, vacuum, cook prep area, and sink. Electrical appliances include space heater, lights, and induction stove.

A single vault toilet, campfire ring, grill, lantern post, and picnic tables are located outside the cabin.

Parking can accommodate up to three RVs.

The cabin's water is shut off late September to May. Winter guests need to bring their own water.

Forest road 041 is not maintained/plowed in the winter months. When snow accumulation doesn't allow for vehicles to access the cabin via Forest Road 041, cabin renters can park at the overnight winter parking area past the cattleguard at the USFS boundary. Cabin renters should not park on private property before the cattleguard. The overnight parking area is signed and can accommodate up to 4 vehicles. Renters can hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile to Malad Summit Guard Station.

Guests may find limited dishes and cookware. Bedding, towels, first aid and emergency supplies, matches, lanterns, and flashlights are not provided.

Guests are expected to clean the cabin and pack out their trash before leaving. Cleaning supplies are available. Guests should bring their own garbage bags and pack out all trash.

Malad Summit Guard Station is managed by Pinnacle Parks Llc under a special use permit with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For questions please contact 208-757-3999 between the hours of 8am and 9pm.

Natural Features

The rustic single-room cabin is tucked into a deciduous and conifer forest at an elevation of around 6,000 feet. Mill Creek meanders through the site.

The front porch invites guests to sit and enjoy views of the forest and possible wildlife sightings. Black bears, wolves, elk, moose, mule deer, bison, grizzly bears, mountain lions and pronghorn are some of the species native to the area ( bear safety tips ).

1 monitored siteRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups1 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 15

Getting there

Malad Guard Station is located 11 miles north of Malad, ID. On 1-15, take Exit 22 (Devil Creek Reservoir). Go north on N. Old Highway 191 for 3.5 miles. Turn left on E11000N/Forest Road 041 and cross over the interstate, drive 1.3 miles. At the bend keep right and continue on Forest Road 041 road for another mile. At the forest boundary there will be a Malad Summit Cabin sign and entrance gate. The cabin is located a few hundred feet past the entrance gate. Call the Westside Ranger District for winter parking instructions and access at 208-236-7500.

4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204208-236-7500
BikingBirdingCampingCross Country SkiingFishingHikingHorseback RidingHuntingMountain BikingOff Highway Vehicle TrailsPhotographySnowmobileSnowshoeingWildlife Viewing

View on Recreation.gov ↗   Get directions ↗

FAQ

How do I get a reservation at Malad Summit Guard Station?

Reservations for Malad Summit Guard Station are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 151 of 183 tracked site-nights are open (82.5%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 3 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.

Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?

No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.

How current is this availability data?

Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 14:17 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.

How often do new openings appear at Malad Summit Guard Station?

Campsite Sniper detected 3 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.

Can I get a multi-night stay at Malad Summit Guard Station?

10 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 20 at site 01. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.

Which sites at Malad Summit Guard Station fit a 35-foot RV?

1 of the 1 site that support RV analysis has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 50 ft.

Which month has the most availability at Malad Summit Guard Station?

January 2027, with 31 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.

When is the next open date at Malad Summit Guard Station?

As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sun, Sep 20 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Nov 6. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.

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