Can you reserve a site at Cowpuncher Guard Station?

Yes, Cowpuncher Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Cowpuncher Guard Station?

30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station.

Are campfires allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station?

Campfires are allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Cowpuncher Guard Station, Utah — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 30 ft
Up to 7 people per site
Loops: COWPUNCHER

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Cowpuncher Guard Station

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
Cowpuncher	COWPUNCHER	Cabin Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	30 ft	7	♿ 🐾

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.

37.99972, -111.65944 · 37°59'59.0"N 111°39'34.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	2.4	2.8	2.9	2.5	1.8	0.6	2.3	2.7	1.9	2.4	1.8	2.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Site type is Cabin non-electric.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Cowpuncher Guard Station

Can you reserve a site at Cowpuncher Guard Station?: Yes, Cowpuncher Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cowpuncher Guard Station have?: 1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Cowpuncher Guard Station?: 30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station.
Are campfires allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station?: Campfires are allowed at Cowpuncher Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Cowpuncher Guard Station

Posey Lake Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Barker Recreation Area 10.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Blue Spruce Campground 1.8 mi · Campground
Escalante Ranger District 6.4 mi · Facility
Joe Lay Reservoir 10 mi · Facility
Blue Lake 10 mi · Facility
Yellow Lake 10 mi · Facility
Flat Lake 10.3 mi · Facility
Lower Barker Reservoir 10.4 mi · Facility
Upper Barker Reservoir 10.7 mi · Facility
Dougherty Basin 11.1 mi · Facility
Round Willow Bottom 11.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-26.

Cowpuncher Guard Station