Public Land Camping

COWPUNCHER GUARD STATION

ESCALANTE, UTManaged by FS

Things to Do

FishingHiking

RV & Site Information

Guests at COWPUNCHER GUARD STATION can enjoy essential amenities including Proximity to Water: Riverfront. The site is maintained by USDA Forest Service, ensuring consistent upkeep and facilities management.

Popular activities at this location include Fishing, and Hiking. The campground's proximity to ESCALANTE offers convenient access to additional outdoor recreation opportunities in the Utah region.

Located in ESCALANTE, Utah, COWPUNCHER GUARD STATION provides bookable camping options for visitors exploring America's public lands. Contact the site directly for real-time availability and current conditions.

About this place

Overview Cowpuncher Guard Station is located in the Dixie National Forest, 20 miles northeast of the town of Escalante in southern Utah. The cabin is situated just off the Hells Backbone Road and is accessed by road during summer and fall. Roads are usually closed by snow 5.5 miles from the cabin from late November to mid-April. Check the ranger station for winter conditions.Recreation The cabin is surrounded by trails, including the Great Western Trail which offer abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Pine Creek flows through the site offering excellent trout fishing. The scenic Hells Backbone Road is minutes away and is a popular scenic drive for both cars and OHVs. Posey Lake is 7 miles away. Facilities The cabin is comfortably furnished with bunk beds and one full size bed, table and chairs, wood cook stove, propane stovetop, kitchen sink with cold running water (summer and early fall), battery operated lanterns, pots and pans, dishes and utensils. A covered porch extends the space outside with a picnic table and fire ring below. A vault toilet is located 150 ft. from the cabin and firewood is provided. Natural Features Cowpuncher sits in a secluded meadow surrounded by pine and aspen groves next to a small trout stream. The elevation at the cabin is 8,000 feet and the adjacent pine and aspen covered slopes quickly rise up to 8,900 feet. Summer days are warm and nights are cool. Nearby Attractions Cowpuncher offers a cool escape from the surrounding desert landscape and is often used as a base to explore the surrounding area. The Escalante area of southern Utah offers breathtaking scenery nearly everywhere you look. Sightseeing along Road 153, Hells Backbone Road, and Utah Highway 12, a National All American Highway, are very popular. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Anasazi State Park, and the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park are all located in the area.

Getting There

From Highway 12 in Escalante, turn north on 300E. Drive 14 miles to the junction of Forest Roads 154 and 153. Continue on FR153 for 4.5 miles. Turn left on FR145 towards Cowpuncher and Blue Spruce Campground. Travel 0.7 miles to Cowpuncher Gate. The cabin is 0.2 miles past the gate.

Amenities

Proximity to Water: Riverfront
Loading Map...