Big Flat Guard Station

Overview

Big Flat Guard Station

******************Big Flat Guard Station is CLOSED for the rest of 2026 due to the Cottonwood Wildfire.***************************************

****NOVEMBER-JUNE 15 YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SITE WITH A VEHICLE DUE TO SNOW AND WINTER CONDITIONS. YOU WILL NEED TO USE A SNOWMOBILE, SNOWSHOES, CROSS COUNTRY SKIIS TO BE ABLE TO USE AND GET TO THE GUARD STATION.****

Big Flat Guard Station is located on the Fishlake National Forest about 25 miles East of Beaver Utah. The cabin sits in the middle of Big Flat about 2 miles after the pavement ends at Puffer Lake on State Road 153. The station was built in about 1908 and provides a great base camp for recreation activities such as relaxing, OHV riding, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, wildflower viewing, and fishing. 

Directions:

The Big Flat Guard Station is located approximately 24 miles east of Beaver, Utah. From Beaver, Utah take UT-153 east for about 24 miles. About 1 mile after you pass the Timid Springs turn off, Turn right onto FR652 into the site. From Junction, Utah travel west 6 miles on paved UT-153 then approximately another 11 miles on dirt road section of UT-153 to reach the Big Flat Guard Station which is approximately 2 miles North of Buck Ridge Restroom. There is a sign that says Big Flat Guard Station at the entrance to the cabin. It is tucked away in the trees between Timid Springs and the Main meadow in Big Flat area.

38.288333N -112.358611W  

NOVEMBER-JUNE 15 YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SITE WITH A VEHICLE DUE TO SNOW AND WINTER CONDITIONS. YOU WILL NEED TO USE A SNOWMOBILE, SNOWSHOES, CROSS COUNTRY SKIIS TO BE ABLE TO USE AND GET TO THE GUARD STATION.

Guard Station will NOT be available for rent on Wednesdays. This is for administrative purposes.

Recreation

Hiking, biking, OHV riding and Horseback riding are popular activities in the area. The Paiute 01 OHV trail passes within 1.5 miles from the guard station. Two popular non-motorized trails: The Skyline Rec Trail and the Hi Hunt 228 trail are adjacent to the property. The area is also popular among big game hunters for elk and deer in the fall and winter. Groomed snowmobile trails allow access for winter recreation.

Facilities

Facilities:

The rustic Big Flat Guard Station is a three-room cabin with a kitchen and two bedrooms. The site can accommodate a maximum of 50 people (10 vehicles), there is only one double bed bunk in one room and two sets of bunk beds in the second room for a capacity of 7 people sleeping inside the building. No linins, bedding, or pillows are provided. RV’s and tents are allowed outside.   

The cabin is equipped with a kitchen table and chairs, a wood stove, a propane single burner stove, and countertop. There is water available on site, but it is not currently in operation (date to be determined). Dishes, utensils, cooking pans are supplied. Towels, bedding, soap, water *and other needed supplies will need to be brought with the guests.

A vault toilet is located adjacent to the cabin, plus a fire circle, benches, and a picnic table. Some lighting is available in the cabin powered by solar panels.

No pets are allowed in the Guard Station.

No smoking allowed in the Guard Station

No garbage service is available; pack-out all you pack-in.

No shooting within 150 yards of the facility.  

Guests are required to keep the facility clean during their stay and are expected to leave the facility cleaner than you found it. Maid service is not available. 

Reservation ends at 11:00 AM and the facility needs to be clean and ready for the next group. Your reservation begins at 2:00 PM, **please do not arrive early.

Natural Features

The Big Flat Guard station is situated in a high elevation meadow at approximately 10,000 feet. It is backed by aspen and conifers leaving the front open to view the meadow. Often in the summer deer, elk and other wildlife can be seen from the front porch along with the occasional forest service mounts grazing in the adjacent pasture. City Creek Peak, Delano Peak and Mt. Holly can be seen from the Big Flat area. Summer days are warm and nights are cool. Guests should be prepared for all types of mountain weather during their stay.

Nearby Attractions

Big Flat Guard Station is located near many non-motorized and motorized trailheads such as the Paiute ATV trail system and the Skyline National Trail, Eagle Point Ski Resort, many mountain lakes such as Puffer Lake, Three Creaks Reserveroir, and Labaron Reservoir, high mountain peaks such as Mt. Delano, Mt. Holly, and many more. Rock Climbing can be done near Three Creeks Reservoir, wildlife viewing all around the Guard Station and Forest Service roads.