Summit Springs Guard Station
Summit Springs Guard Station is located a couple of miles off the Sheep Creek Geological Loop southwest of Flaming Gorge in the high Uinta Mountain Range. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the complex in 1931 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. It was one of 11 guard stations built in the area to serve as homes for rangers who patrolled the forest on horseback prior to the modern age of vehicles. The complex includes the guard station, bunkhouse, parking area, and fenced yard. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More like this: reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA01 | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 40 / 10 | Yes | Prime |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
A cabin and bunkhouse are located within the complex. The cabin will sleep eight and has a furnished sitting area, kitchen stocked with pots and pans, and bathroom (two flush toilets and two showers). Propane is provided for the fridge, stove, water heater, and heater. The bunkhouse will sleep 12 on bunk beds with heat provided by a wood burning stove. There is a large area for up to four RVs or tents with access to a double vault toilet. There is a group gathering/eating area off the kitchen of the cabin with tables and fire ring. The maximum capacity for the complex is 40 people. Bring your own linens, dishes, silverware, cups, and glasses. Water is available from May 15 through September 15 depending upon weather. Limited power for lights only. Pets are not allowed in the cabin or bunkhouse. When booking the site, small groups (1-8 people) may book at a reduced rate, but will only have access to the cabin. The bunkhouse becomes available when booked for 9-40 people at the higher rate.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Manila, UT at the intersection UT 43 and UT 44: Turn south on UT 44 (between Forest Service Office and Brownings restaurant). Drive 13 miles to the upper (second) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn right onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 364, and turn left onto the drive into Summit Springs. From Vernal, UT turn north on US 191.
| Nearest town | Pleasant Grove, Utah |
| Coordinates | 40.8788° N, 109.7455° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD1 Pondo Rx
10 mi from the campground · 532 acres
- PrescribedHole In The Rock Rx
21 mi from the campground · 85 acres
- PrescribedMiddle Beaver Rx
23 mi from the campground · 50 acres
- PrescribedWestern Roughneck Rx
32 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 ↗ | 15.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redneck Archery and Pro Shop ↗ | 31.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 57.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Flaming Gorge 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, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and scuba diving are popular activities on the reservoirs. The dam is about 23 miles east of the complex. Sheep Creek Loop Scenic Backway (Geological Loop) is a 10 mile drive through spectacular canyon scenery and back in time. Millions of years of geologic history can be seen in a 20 minute drive, thanks to the Uinta Crest Fault and other rock features. The town of Manila is about 15 miles away, off the north end of Sheep Creek Loop where visitors can find grocery stores and other amenities.
- 3.4 miPalisades Park Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 4.8 miSheep Creek Boat Launch Area ↗Boat launch
- 10 mi
- 11.6 miEast Park Junction Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miSheep Creek Lake ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miSheep Cr - Death Val Connector0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.5 miLost Spring3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miSheep Cr - Ute Tower Connector0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.5 miUte Mountain1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miNorth Elk Park ↗9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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
This campground sits inside Ashley National Forest.
- inAshley National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,401,248 acres
- 2.4 miUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,912,954 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
On the National Register nearby
- Ute Mountain Fire TowerStructure · Manila · 2.5 mi
Natural features
The facilities are located at Summit Springs, at an elevation of 8,278 ft. It is set in a rolling pasture, surrounded and interspersed with aspen and pine trees. Wildlife and summer flowers are abundant during the use season.
Recreation
During the summer months, numerous hiking, biking, horse-riding, and ATV trails are found nearby. Fishing at Sheep Creek Bay, one of the "arms" of Flaming Gorge, is a short 12 mile drive.
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 Summit Springs Guard Station?
Sites at Summit Springs 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 Summit Springs Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Summit Springs Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Summit Springs Guard Station?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Summit Springs Guard Station?
The cabin will sleep eight and has a furnished sitting area, kitchen stocked with pots and pans, and bathroom (two flush toilets and two showers).
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Summit Springs Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Summit Springs Guard Station?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 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 Summit Springs Guard Station?
During the summer months, numerous hiking, biking, horse-riding, and ATV trails are found nearby. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Summit Springs Guard Station?
Pleasant Grove, Utah. Flaming Gorge 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 Summit Springs Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Deep Creek Campground (1.8 mi, first-come), Browne Lake Group Sites (3.5 mi, partly first-come), and Manns Campground (3.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby