Keystone Ranger Station

About this campsite

Overview

Located deep within the Medicine Bow National Forest, Keystone Cabin offers a unique lodging experience in southeastern Wyoming for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. It is open 11 months of the year, and offers access to a variety of recreational opportunities in all seasons.

The cabin once served as the District headquarters for the Keystone Ranger District, and has been remodeled to preserve the historic value of the cabin while adding a few modern amenities, such as electricity. Due to the rustic and historic nature of the cabin, guests will need to bring a few of their own supplies for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

During the summer, the cabin is accessible by car, but guests should be prepared to get there in winter by snowmobiling, skiing or snowshoeing five miles from Albany Snowmobile Parking Lot. Please be aware that there may be snow in the area until the end of June and the road can be muddy and bumpy; we recommend calling the USFS Laramie Ranger District office at (307) 745-2300 prior to your reservation to receive the latest weather and road conditions.

Recreation

Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting can be found within the vicinity. Several trailheads are an easy drive from the cabin.

In the winter, skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities.

Facilities

The cabin's two bedrooms can sleep up to six people on single beds and bunk beds with mattresses. The cabin has electric lights and heat, but guests can also use the wood-burning stove. The kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, cookware and basic cooking and eating utensils. Drinking water is available. The bathroom has showers and flush toilets. Please be aware that due to recent vandalism, some of the windows are currently under repair and covered with plywood. Restoration efforts are underway and the cabin is still available for rental.

A picnic table and grill provide a delightful area for outdoor dining.

Guests need to provide their own food, sleeping bags, flashlights, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.

There are 2 cabins at the Keystone Ranger Station; one is the rental and the one is sometimes used for employee housing on a temporary basis. Reservation holders will be notified if this is the case.

Natural Features

From open, high expanses to valleys and canyons that rise steeply to snowy ranges, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests encompass mountain ranges, tributaries to the North Platte River and the Colorado River, and a mix of forested ecology with spruce, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, aspen and shrub lands.

Keystone Cabin sits in a clearing surrounded by a mixed conifer forest at an elevation of 9,265 feet. Wildlife viewing is abundant near the cabin, including elk, deer and moose. Migratory birds, squirrels and an occasional black bear find habitat in the forest as well.

Charges & Cancellations

Refunds for cancellations may be processed on a case-by-case basis. There are no refunds for reservation processing fees. Please be aware of changes in weather and road conditions prior to arrival and plan accordingly.

Location

KEYSTONE RANGER STATION•WY

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Common questions about KEYSTONE RANGER STATION

Is KEYSTONE RANGER STATION free to camp at?

Yes. KEYSTONE RANGER STATION in WY is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book KEYSTONE RANGER STATION online?

We hold no online booking link for KEYSTONE RANGER STATION, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is KEYSTONE RANGER STATION?

KEYSTONE RANGER STATION sits in WY. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

4.7 km away

SPRUCE MTN FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER

Overview Perched atop a forested mountain, Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Medicine Bow National Forest in southcentral Wyoming. The original fire lookout was constructed during the summer of 1938 by workers employed through the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). After thirty years of use, it was replaced with a taller, more structurally sound tower. The new 55-foot tall tower was used as a fire lookout until the 1990s when it was renovated and opened to the public for overnight rental in 1997. The lookout is typically open from June through September. Guests can drive directly to the lookout most of the season. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack in some of their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay. Please be aware during the month of June snow drifts may prevent you from driving directly to the tower and you may need to pack items in from a longer distance. For more information on conditions please call the Laramie Ranger District Office prior to arivial at 307-745-2300 Recreation The area around the lookout offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. The lookout is also ideal for guests who simply want to relax and enjoy picnics, campfires and stargazing at night. Rob Roy Reservoir is a six mile drive from the lookout, offering opportunities for fishing, boating and water skiing. Gold panning is a popular activity in Douglas Creek, which is connected to the reservoir. Facilities The lookout cabin is furnished with two single beds with mattresses and can accommodate up to two guests. Inside amenities include a table with chairs, cookware, dishes, utensils, cleaning supplies, a propane heater, propane cook stove and oven, and propane lights. An outhouse with pit toilet is provided, and a campfire ring is located at the base of the lookout. Firewood can be gathered from the surrounding area. Additional camping is allowed on-site, though the area is rocky. A hoist (pulley and rope) is available to transport gear to the tower cabin. There is no water or electricity available at the site. Guests must bring enough water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Other items to bring include sleeping bags, flashlights or lanterns, towels, dish soap, matches, toilet paper, a first aid kit and garbage bags. All food and trash must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. Natural Features The lookout offers panoramic views that include Medicine Bow Peak, Rob Roy Reservoir, Jelm Mountain and the southern end of the Snowy Range. Snowdrifts melt in June, welcoming the arrival of wildflowers that splash color on the rocky, timbered hillsides. Wildlife species such as elk, deer, black bears, cougars, squirrels, foxes and bats are supported by the area's diverse forest habitats. At an elevation of 10,003 feet, guests should be prepared for high altitude conditions. Summertime temperatures average 70 degrees fahrenheit, but can drop as low as 30 degrees at night or during thunderstorms. Charges & Cancellations Refunds for cancellations may be processed on a case-by-case basis. There are no refunds for reservation processing fees. Please be aware of changes in weather and road conditions prior to arrival and plan accordingly.

5.1 km away

Rob Roy Campground

Campground: Rob Roy Campground.

15.9 km away

Pickaroon Campground

Campground: Pickaroon Campground.

18.2 km away

Silver Lake Campground (WY)

Overview At just under 10,500 feet Silver Lake Campground is the highest elevation campground on the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. It opens in late June or early July depending on snow depth. The campground is beside the Snowy Range Scenic Byway on Silver Lake. This facility provides easy access to exploring the trails, lakes, streams, and glacial landscapes of the area. Facilities include 17 campsites with 3 RV pull-throughs (trailers under 32'), picnic tables, toilets, water, fire grates, and trash receptacles with a 14 day stay limit. There are two trailheads at the campground. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek CanyonTrail and Miners Cabin Trail. Recreation The Snowy Range offers endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Specifically, the Snowy Range contains a network of hiking trails suitable for day hiking and for extended, backcountry trips. Additionally, Streams and over 100 lakes in the area provide a variety of challenging recreational-fishing opportunities in the area. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek Canyon Trail and Miners Cabin Trail. Winter activities in the area include snowshoeing and skiing. Mountain Biking Areas for Mountain Biking at Snowy Range Area Bow River Campground Deep Creek Campground French Creek Campground French Creek Canyon Trail Keystone Cabins Lake Owen Trailhead Little Brooklyn Guard Station Little Laramie Trailhead North Fork Campground Pinkham Mountain Trailhead Rock Creek Trailhead Sheep Lake Trailhead Snow Survey Cabin Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tie Hack Lower Trailhead Tie Hack Upper Trailhead Tipple Trail Trailhead Mountain Climbing Areas for Mountain Climbing at Snowy Range Area Lewis Lake Picnic Site Libby Lake Picnic Site Day Hiking Areas for Day Hiking at Snowy Range Area Brooklyn Lake Campground Brush Creek Trails Chimney Park Trailhead Corner Mountain Trailhead Crater Lake Trailhead Deep Creek Campground Deep Lake Trail Dipper Lake Trail French Creek Campground French Creek Canyon Trail Green Rock Parking Lot Green Rock Picnic Site Keystone Cabins Lake Owen Trailhead Lakes Trailhead Lewis Lake Picnic Site Libby Lake Picnic Site Little Brooklyn Guard Station Little Laramie Trailhead Meadow Falls Trailhead Miner's Cabin Trailhead North Fork Campground Platte River Wilderness Quealy Lake Trailhead Rock Creek Trailhead Routt Access Trailhead Ryan Park Campground Savage Run Wilderness She

20.2 km away

French Creek Campground (WY)

Overview French Creek Campground is located on Forest Road 206. Facilities include 11 campsites (small trailers only up to 32 feet), water, picnic tables, toilets, fire grates and Trash Service is NOT Provided . Note: No water or trash services beyond mid September.) Fishing access is available nearby in both North and South French Creeks. The Lower Tie Hack trailhead is .25 mile east of the campground. Recreation The Snowy Range offers endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Specifically, the Snowy Range contains a network of hiking trails suitable for day hiking and for extended, backcountry trips. Additionally, Streams and over 100 lakes in the area provide a variety of challenging recreational-fishing opportunities in the area. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek Canyon Trail and Miners Cabin Trail. Winter activities in the area include snowshoeing and skiing. Mountain Biking Areas for Mountain Biking at Snowy Range Area • Bow River Campground • Deep Creek Campground • French Creek Campground • French Creek Canyon Trail • Keystone Cabins • Lake Owen Trailhead • Little Brooklyn Guard Station • Little Laramie Trailhead • North Fork Campground • Pinkham Mountain Trailhead • Rock Creek Trailhead • Sheep Lake Trailhead • Snow Survey Cabin • Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout • Tie Hack Lower Trailhead • Tie Hack Upper Trailhead • Tipple Trail Trailhead Mountain Climbing Areas for Mountain Climbing at Snowy Range Area • Lewis Lake Picnic Site • Libby Lake Picnic Site Day Hiking Areas for Day Hiking at Snowy Range Area • Brooklyn Lake Campground • Brush Creek Trails • Chimney Park Trailhead • Corner Mountain Trailhead • Crater Lake Trailhead • Deep Creek Campground • Deep Lake Trail • Dipper Lake Trail • French Creek Campground • French Creek Canyon Trail • Green Rock Parking Lot • Green Rock Picnic Site • Keystone Cabins • Lake Owen Trailhead • Lakes Trailhead • Lewis Lake Picnic Site • Libby Lake Picnic Site • Little Brooklyn Guard Station • Little Laramie Trailhead • Meadow Falls Trailhead • Miner's Cabin Trailhead • North Fork Campground • Platte River Wilderness • Quealy Lake Trailhead • Rock Creek Trailhead • Routt Access Trailhead • Ryan Park Campground • Savage Run Wilderness • Sheep Lake Trailhead • Silver Lake Campground • Silver Lake Trailhead • Six Mile Trailhead • Snow Survey Cabin • South Brush Creek Campground • Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout • Sugarloaf Campground • Tie Hack Lower Trailhead • Tie Hack Upper Trailhead • Tipple Trail Trailhead • West Lake Marie Backpacking Areas for Backpacking at Snowy Range Area • Crater Lake Trailhead • Deep Lake Trail • Dipper Lake Trail • Lakes Trailhead • Lewis Lake Picnic Site • Libby Lake Picnic Site • Platte River Wilderness • Quealy Lake Trailhead • Rock Creek Trailhead • Savage Run Wilderness • Sheep Lake Trailhead • Six Mile Trailhead Viewing Wildlife Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Snowy Range Area • Brooklyn Lake Campground • Keystone Cabins • Libby Flats Observation Site • Little Brooklyn Guard Station • Snow Survey Cabin • Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout • Tipple Trail Trailhead Charges & Cancellations If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel? P