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Sunshine Guard Station
FSU.S. Forest Service — John Day · Oregon · Malheur National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Malheur National Forest |
| Location | John Day · Oregon · Malheur National Forest · 44.66593, -118.70010 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 cabin electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 30 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 1 sites · 30 ft: 1 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 4:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | River accessVault toilets |
| Phone | 541-820-3800 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-07-22.
From the official listing
Overview Sunshine Guard Station is situated along John Day River in the Malheur National Forest at an elevation of 3,700 feet, about 43 miles northeast of John Day, Oregon. The former guard station was built in 1936 and until the 1990s was used alternatively as a bunkhouse or a work station for fireguards.
The guard station can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Recreational options include fishing for steelhead and rainbow trout in the John Day River. Restrictions apply; visitors should refer to Oregon State regulations.
There are hiking trails and back roads to the north of the guard station that lead into the nearby Vinegar Hill / Indian Rock Scenic Area.
Wildlife viewing is popular, as is scenic driving.
Facilities This rustic four-room cabin sleeps up to six and has a kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. The living room is furnished with a futon, two chairs, a coffee table and an end table. The larger bedroom is furnished with a queen-sized bed and a closet, while the smaller bedroom offers a queen-sized bed and a chair.
The kitchen is furnished with a table and four chairs, electric refrigerator, and stove. Electric heat and lights are provided, and a vault toilet is located next to the cabin.
There is no water in the cabin. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Roads to the guard station are paved and maintained for summer and winter access.
No pets allowed in the Guard Station.
Natural Features The guard station has a view of the Middle Fork of the John Day River. The Vinegar Hill Forest/Indian Rock Scenic Area is nearby. The 25,000-acre area includes a 10 mile ridgeline that comprises the summit of the Greenhorn Range in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Outcrops of serpentine, rhyolite, basalt, granite, and shale can be seen. Agates can also be found on some of the rocky slopes.
Wildlife includes elk and deer, songbirds and, in the river, steelhead and trout. Nearly every type of alpine wildflower found west of the Rockies can be blooming at different times in this area.
Magone Lake is about 20 miles west of the guard station.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 575-3000.
Directions, from the listing
From Prairie City, OR., travel east on US Highway 26 approximately 13 miles to the junction of US Highway 7. Turn left on US Highway 7, travel one mile to the junction with County Road 20/ Middle Fork Road. Turn left and follow County Road 20 approximately 13 miles, the guard station will be on the right.
Nearest federal campgrounds
5 mi straight-line · John Day OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceOlive Lake Campground (OR)
10 mi straight-line · Ukiah OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceMagone Lake
13 mi straight-line · John Day OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceHilltop Hideaway - Umatilla NF (OR)
13 mi straight-line · UKIAH OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceMiners Retreat
13 mi straight-line · UKIAH Oregon
Trip Card — Sunshine Guard Station
John Day · Oregon · Malheur National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | John Day · Oregon · Malheur National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 |
| Max RV | Up to 30 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233249 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.