Govt Mineral Springs Guard Station, Carson, WA

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Station is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (1 hr 18 min northeast of Vancouver, WA) with an elevation of 1,273 feet. The site is open all year. There is a fee of $65.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (34)

4.2 out of 5

5 star		44%
4 star		32%
3 star		9%
2 star		12%
1 star		0%

@AndreaG7E32BDA · Camped on Aug 23, 2024 at Campsite #GMS

First off who sharpened the Knives? Wow that was amazing....minus the no fireplace or propane fireplace due to not working. Had a good time. Did not see mice but did notice new droppings in morning..I don't understand how a propane fireplace is used. Me gas any thing scares me. And I see it as more a firehazard..

@PennyD67969FD5 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #GMS

Tucked away in old growth trees, this is a true gem in the Gifford Pinchot.So cozy and rustic. Already booked another stay!

@EricaC2835606 · Camped on Mar 1, 2024 at Campsite #GMS

This is my second time staying here and its a nice little cabin in the woods. I went alone this time so only really stayed in the downstairs of the house but there are 2 rooms with 4 beds upstairs. One of the rooms is very large with twin beds and a closet and the other with a bunk bed. Downstairs there are two futons but one seemed slightly broken. As other reviews have said, bring extra lights as its pretty dark in the kitchen and the dinning room with only one gas lamp in each. In the dinning room there is a big table, lots of books, some puzzles, and games in a closet space and this room has a radiator. The fridge and stove worked well and there are plenty of kitchen supplies for cooking. My main complaint is that there is not a directional sign to point you in the direction of the cabin and the one way sign makes it seem like it would be to the right when its actually to the left. Since there is no cell service there, this is an easy mistake and had me going the wrong way in deep snow with a backpacking bag on. I did have cell service about 10 minutes from the snow park and its about 20 minutes to a dollar general if you forgot something. Overall, its definitely a rustic cabin but felt mostly clean and was a nice retreat for the weekend. Final thoughts, I do think the proposed fee going up to $100 per night when it was $65 last year is a bit steep for a place with no running water and a snow walk to the bathroom. It makes it a little unaffordable for smaller groups.

@KatherineD1A65 · Camped on Feb 2, 2024 at Campsite #GMS

I love this cabin! Its a peaceful place. To make your trip more enjoyable, please note: bring extra battery operated lanterns (the downstairs rooms are dark), the fireplace wire is loose and sometimes takes work to get the fire going, and a futon is broken (totally sleepable though). Enjoy your stay!

@ZachH8629698 · Camped on Jan 26, 2024 at Campsite #GMS

Still plenty of snow but the hike in wasnt bad. Sleds are handy if you have a lot of gear. Shoveled some of the pathways around the doors. Had some issues getting the gas fireplace insert to start but once on it worked fine. The wall heater really can pump out the heat. Loved reading the history of the cabin and the journal entries. Had fun discovering all the summer cabins around there. That was a surprise.

@JacqueW16FA181 · Camped on Oct 29, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

We love this jewel of a cabin. It is a cozy wonderful cabin set in a grove of very large trees. The forest service just installed a new refrigerator and oven, thank you! The cabin is well stocked with kitchen items, so no need to bring pots, pans, dishes, etc. Bring along paper products and lots of water. The location allows for nearby hikes, great place for kids too. We are grateful to the Forest Service for keeping this cabin maintained in times when the budget is tight and resources are scarce!

@CarolIBE937DA2 · Camped on Aug 20, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

A lovely setting in the forest and nicely appointed. However, there were mouse droppings everywhere- on the table, counter, sink and stove. Unlocking the doors was tricky.

@MelissaS832578 · Camped on Aug 11, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

As of 8/13/23,the fridge is still broken. Also, Carter Family, your Amazon tablet is still there. This place is a gem and I wish it was better taken care of. It needs some maintenance and a deep clean. The mice are still there but not as bad as previous trips. The bathroom is still disgusting. Regardless, we try to make it out every summer. We spent the weekend at the nearby creek and went foraging for wild berries.

@DaleP5415770 · Camped on May 30, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

Cabin was great as usual, only bummer was the fridge is currently broken. Not a huge deal but would have been nice to know ahead of time.

@GeorgeJ6652653 · Camped on May 8, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

Great time of year to be here. Many wild flowers around the area,and lucky to have good weather while there. Happy to see the gas fireplace insert,much better than the old gas heater,(that didn't work on our last visit). Was dissapointed not to find a recent journal,we enjoyed them in the past.

@HobbinJ7469953 · Camped on Feb 12, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

Inventory - as of February 17th some pictures show a propane heater in the living room, this is no longer there. The fireplace is propane, not wood burning. The propane heater in the dining room doesn't work. One of the futon frames was busted beyond use, we reported it. 14 glasses and mugs 1 cup size Melita coffee maker and pot, no filters 1 package napkins 1 roll paper towels 4 glass baking pans 2 metal baking pans 1 cookie sheet 1 drawer full of misc cooking utensils, slotted spoons, cheese grater, spatula, scraper, wisk, potato peeler, Table cloth 4 large plates 4 small plates 2 saucers 10 random size bowls for eating 8 eating spoons 5 eating forks 5 butter knives Scissors Can opener Bottle opener/corkscrew 6 cutting boards 5 cooking knives - my husband sharpened them while we were here 1 package aluminum foil Measuring cups Measuring spoons Old style stove top coffee maker Old fashioned popcorn popper Many cooking pots of various sizes 1 five gallon cook pot Many fry pans of various sizes 1 cast iron fry pan 1 cast iron griddle 1 large colander 1 small colander 2 sponges lots of liquid dish and hand soap 2 pot scrubbers NO GARBAGE BAGS - we left our roll pot holders 6 small end tables 2 futon mattresses and frame 1 small dish tub many empty jugs for water 2 brooms 2 dustpans 1 mop 1 mop bucket several couch pillows clothesline and clothespins hung up 2x6x18 mouse proof container 10 chairs puzzles and games books binder with history and appliance instruction manuals many rolls of toilet paper container of de-icer bic lighter and matches braided rug on the floor hooks on the wall beside the front door three ring binder with history of the cabin and the appliance instruction manuels

@DrewL1650181 · Camped on Feb 6, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

- Great spot in the winter. Just come prepared with some water or be ready to boil some snow!

@BradB8421095 · Camped on Jan 24, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

Great location for winter snow activities. Loved the feel of the CCC past, which was evident. The half-mile walk in the snow to get to the cabin was just fine. Would recommend bringing plenty of water. Overall a nice experience. Very peaceful.

@LeslieM8899826 · Camped on Jan 9, 2023 at Campsite #GMS

Lovely cabin! Easy snowshoe and sled hike to the cabin in the winter.

@SchuylerS81069 · Camped on Dec 23, 2022 at Campsite #GMS

I've been coming here for 7 years or so. There has been a steady decline in cleanliness as well as broken futons and such. There were new futon covers, but the futon pads were still deformed, frames broken. There were lots of food stuffs and things left by the previous renters, which also showed that there was not a staff clean between guests. The TP was not restocked in the outhouse, just 6 or so tubes locked up. We had to find and take some out ourselves. The outhouse smelled foul (never has before). Finally, there were no more garbage bags. That and there is a proposed rate hike? When they didn't even maintain it as was? Other than the above complaints, we managed to have a wonderful stay.

@PamelaN9435956 · Camped on Nov 11, 2022 at Campsite #GMS

It's a cozy cabin in the woods. There is a propane heater in the living room and in the dining room so you warm up nicely. The futon mattresses are not comfy. The kerosene lamps work great but pretty dim so bring a lantern. We used peppermint spray to deter mice & spiders so we didn't see any in our living space. The refrigerator is truly an "ice box"! The pit toilet is near parking, not a big deal to get to. It's charming and not far to Panther Creek Falls.

@RobinB2917356 · Camped on Oct 31, 2022 at Campsite #GMS

This cabin needs some TLC. The curtains are torn and don't fully cover the windows. The toilet isn't close to the cabin. It wasn't as clean as it could have been when we arrived. It needs a new indoor paint job. The lighting is propane only. Bring a few lanterns. Aside from this.. the place is warm and cozy if you don't mind a little rustic. It's quiet and private. Very close to some incredible hikes and not far from town.

@VickieM4616352 · Camped on Sep 8, 2022 at Campsite #GMS

I have been coming up to government mineral Springs since I was a baby in diapers. (1955!) My grandparents had a cabin there. I am so grateful that I can go up and stay in the forest service cabin and enjoy the beautiful environment, quiet, see the elk, and entertain happy memories. The cabin was clean and nice. And we left it in the same condition! I donated a journal to the cabin. Thank you!

@JeremiahT17339 · Camped on Jun 24, 2022 at Campsite #GMS

Beautiful cabin and amazing spot, but the cabin was pretty disgusting. Needs a major cleaning, looks like no one had swept/mopped in months, layers of dust and cobwebs and mice poop EVERYWHERE! Hanging a picture of a mouse that someone saw five times is not an extermination plan. We cleaned the copious poop the first night and the next morning it was back again everywhere, on the stove, in the sink, etc. Caught two mice in the trap on the porch, but still more feces everywhere. It's a shame and the forest service should explore some serious extermination before this place is completely lost to the rodents. We had young kiddos, one who is immune compromised and didn't feel good letting them play pretty much anywhere inside. Outside everything is gorgeous. Please take better care of this beautiful cabin!

@SchuylerS605 · Camped on Dec 24, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

Super great if you love no electricity, no running water, no cell reception, and a 1/2 mile walk-in through 2' of snow. If you don't like those things, steer clear.

@VernaB671 · Camped on Dec 12, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

We really enjoyed the cabin and the setting -- partly because it was snowy and beautiful. There are a couple outdated things in the description. There is no longer a wood burning fireplace. It is a "fake" fire, but does a nice job of heating the place. There doesn't appear to be a sno-park anymore, rather a campground that is used in the summer. Thank you!

@PaulS560 · Camped on Nov 21, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

I enjoyed reading the interview of the first Guard who was stationed here. Falls Creek Falls was a beautiful hike. The fireplace is propane which initially disappointed me because I was excited about a wood fire but the convenience and heat performance of the propane fire was very enjoyable. The propane lighting inside the cabin provides a very nice ambiance. We really liked our stay.

@JaneJ577 · Camped on Oct 31, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

Water - bring plenty of your own. There is a campground nearby, but their water source was out-of=service due to high iron content. Key box is at the door that faces the street--not at the door closest to the driveway. Once you have the key, it has to be used at the door closest to the driveway. There are cup hooks or nails over the stove, over the dining room table and in the living room----If you hang an LED lantern from these it will provide adequate light for the room. Kitchen is very well stocked.

@JasonW383 · Camped on Oct 8, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

Its' always a great stay at GMS.

@nathanaelm138 · Camped on Oct 1, 2021 at Campsite #GMS

Everything was amazing, wasn’t sure if we should bring wood because it says wood was provided, however the gas fireplace didn’t need wood. Lovely get away.

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