Colton Guard Station
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.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
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. Combination code required to enter cabin. (Some combination locks used have off-set entry lines.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Vernal, Utah |
| Coordinates | 40.6672° N, 109.5186° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- If code is not working, try off-setting entry line).
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD1 Pondo Rx
15 mi from the campground · 532 acres
- PrescribedHole In The Rock Rx
38 mi from the campground · 85 acres
- PrescribedMiddle Beaver Rx
39 mi from the campground · 50 acres
- PrescribedWestern Roughneck Rx
48 mi from the campground · 472 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redneck Archery and Pro Shop ↗ | 14.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
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.
- 5.7 miRed Fleet Flow Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.6 miDinosaur Trackway Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miColton X-C Ski ↗5.4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.4 miColton4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miColton Guard Station Spur East0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.2 miKabell Hollow2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.5 miPine Hollow Jade Ram Loop1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.5 miPine Hollow Spur a North0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Ashley National Forest begins about 4.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.1 miAshley National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,401,248 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Colton Guard Station?
Sites at Colton Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Colton Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Colton Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Colton Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Colton Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Colton Guard Station?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Colton Guard Station?
In summer months, numerous hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Colton Guard Station?
Vernal, Utah. 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.
Source: Getting there
What if Colton Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are South Iron Springs Group Site (3.2 mi), Iron Springs Group Ashley (3.2 mi), and Kaler Hollow Campground (5.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby