Colton Guard Station

$60.00/night

355 N Vernal Ave
VERNAL, UT 84078

Overview

Colton Guard Station is located in the Colton Hollow area, approximately 5 miles west of U.S. Highway 191. It is near Vernal, Utah, in the Ashley National Forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the complex in 1933 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal instituted during the Great Depression. It was a residence for rangers who patrolled the forest on horseback prior to the age of modern vehicles.

The Ashley National Forest Vernal Ranger District has chosen to rent this guard station to the public so that guests can enjoy a RUSTIC experience similar to that of the first rangers. Colton Guard Station is open for reservations all months of the year, except November, April and May.

The cabin can be accessed by vehicle throughout warmer months and during the winter, access is by snowmobile, cross-country ski or snowshoe travel. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Call the District Office at (435) 789-1181 three business days prior to a reserved visit to confirm door lock combination. District Office is closed Saturday and Sunday. Lock combination is REQUIRED to enter guard station.

Recreation

In summer months, numerous hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the area. In winter months, endless snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities are right out the front door.

Facilities

A cabin and bunkhouse are located within the complex. The cabin can sleep three people on one twin-size bunk and one twin bed. No linens, bedding or pillows are provided. The bunkhouse behind the cabin can sleep up to eight additional people, on several provided twin mattresses. Tent camping is allowed outside. The maximum capacity for overnight guests is 10 people.

From mid-June to mid-September, the cabin has running water in the sink. The kitchen has basic amenities including a sink, propane range, table and four chairs. The cabin has a wood-burning stove for heat. A campfire ring is located outside. Solar lights are provided, however, due to varying weather conditions, they are not reliable. Please be prepared with battery powered lanterns or flashlights. Very limited cookware is provided, guests are required to bring their own cooking supplies.

The cabin remains locked; call the Vernal Ranger District office, at (435) 789-1181, three business days prior to arrival, to confirm the combination lock code. COMBINATION CODE REQUIRED to enter cabin. (Some combination locks used have off-set entry lines. If code is not working, try off-setting entry line).

From mid-September to mid-June (winter), most amenities are shut off. There is NO WATER and NO INDOOR TOILET. The operable amenities include the propane range, wood-burning stove and outdoor vault toilet.

Due to antiquated septic and water systems, guests are STRONGLY ENCOUAGED to use the outdoor vault toilet verses the indoor toilet for solid waste. There is NO WORKING SHOWER OR HOT WATER.

Natural Features

The complex sits in Colton Hollow, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Aspens and pines surround the site, offering nice shade. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant in the area.

Nearby Attractions

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is known not only for its beautiful red cliffs, but also for its world-class fishing for lake, brown and rainbow trout. Boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and scuba diving are popular activities on the reservoir, which can be accessed within 30 miles.

The Ashley-Karst National Geologic Recreation Area offers dramatic canyons, densely forested backcountry areas, and vast networks of caves.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Fire pit: all 1 sites
Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Largest party: 4 people

Directions

Follow the mileage indications below and look for signs when traveling to Colton Guard Station. Leave with plenty of time to arrive at the guard station before dark. From Vernal, travel north on U.S. Highway 191/Vernal Avenue for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Forest Road 020. A paved parking lot with a restroom is located at the intersection. Continue northwest on the paved Forest Road 020 for approximately two miles. Turn left (southwest) at Forest Road 019 and continue for less than a mile, reaching an intersection (Forest roads 028 and 019). Turn left, continuing south on Forest Road 019. Continue approximately 1.75 miles, where the road turns sharply to the right (west). Follow the hairpin turn down into a ravine to Colton Guard Station.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

23 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Kimberly L

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed 17 days ago

Amazing experience! It was clean and with the wood burning stove, the main room was warm. The second room was too chilly for us at night so we all slept in the main room. Beautiful and peaceful surroundings. We went down to Dinosaur National Monument for a day. We didn’t get cell service (Mint Mobile) at the property, but a short 3 minute drive up the hill was all it took to reconnect when we needed to. I was glad we had lanterns and flashlights. Bring plenty of water for drinking and washing.

Dorothy K

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

What a beautiful location! It's very rustic. The electricity was not working during our stay, but we had been notified prior to our reservation and were prepared. We would gladly stay there again.

Miles B

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Loved the off grid living and appreciated the supply of firewood. Would have liked it better if the front door had a screen and the shower worked.

Annette B

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

call for code or you will be locked out .

Kirk W

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

We have been going to Colton guard station since the early 90s. It has become a tradition in our family. Now we take our grandkids and try to go at least once a year. We are already planning the dates for next year.

Gretchen N

Loop:Colgs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

My daughter, her three children and I spent 3 nights at the Colton Guard Station. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of our stay. The previous guests left the place very tidy, and we made an extra effort to do the same when we left. My daughter/kids slept in the bunkbeds provided and I camped outside under the stars. (Unfortunately, the extra bunkhouse was undergoing repairs during our time there.) The small kitchen was modestly stocked with a few items but for sure I would recommend bringing some of your own cookware and anything else you think you might need to make your stay comfortable. We felt very spoiled to have a flushing toilet (especially for the three-year-old.) I brought a small generator which helped with the lighting at night. The propane stove was a bit tricky to work but fortunately someone left a few instructions on how to use it, or we would have never figured it out. There are probably birds and a few critters living in the attic space as we heard them at night moving around. I'd recommend bringing some extra matches and toilet paper "just in case". We loved exploring the old buildings and swinging on the rope swing. The woodshed was stocked with wood, but we had fun collecting our own and loved sitting around the campfire at night eating smore's or making popcorn. The chipmunks were cute, and were very bold, as they crept close to "harvest" any food the kids dropped on the ground. We made day trips to East Park and Oak Park Reservoirs to canoe and ATV ride. It rained on us every day, but we didn't mind. The cabin was really nice to come "home" to. There was a meteor shower happening while we were there and it was stunning to see the Milky Way without all the light pollution. Thank you to the Forest Service for letting us rent out this historical cabin. I would like to encourage them to continue to make this area accessible to the public and to keep the fees reasonable so that families like ours can enjoy it.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 0% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 2 years of reservations.