Paradise Guard Station
Campground · Utah · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Ashley National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 4
- People per site
- 9,885 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Paradise Guard Station is located on the Ashley National Forest, approximately 25 air miles northwest of Vernal, in eastern Utah. Folklore states the district ranger built the cabin in his spare time in 1922 and it has changed very little since then. In 1929, the Bartlett Sawmill was built just 75 yards south. It burned down in 1940, but some remnants of the old facility still remain.The Ashley National Forest Vernal Ranger District has chosen to rent this guard station to the public so visitors can enjoy a rustic experience similar to that of the first rangers. Guests enjoy canoeing and fishing on Paradise Park Reservoir, and exploring local hiking, biking and off-road vehicle trails.
Recreation
Paradise Park Reservoir is nearby, covering just less than 60 acres. Canoeing and fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout are popular activities. Dead Lake, Mill Pond and Julius Park Reservoir are within a short distance.
The Ashley-Karst National Geologic Recreation Area offers dramatic canyons, densely forested backcountry areas, and vast networks of caves.
A variety of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the surrounding area, including the 8.4-mile Deadman Lake Trail, which begins at Paradise Campground.
Facilities
The guard station complex can sleep four to eight. The cabin contains two, twin-size bunk beds for four people, though no linens, bedding or pillows are provided. Level parking is provided for a maximum of one RV/camp trailer. Ample room for tent camping is available outside.
Please note that this cabin is RUSTIC. There is no sink, stove, oven or refrigerator. The cabin has no water or plumbing, however there is a vault toilet outside for year-round use. A wood-burning stove is supplied for heat. A combination campfire ring and grill is located outside.
The cabin remains locked; call the Vernal Ranger District office, at (435) 789-1181, three business days prior to arrival, to confirm the combination lock code. COMBINATION CODE REQUIRED to enter cabin. (Some combination locks used have off-set entry lines. If code is not working, try off-setting entry line).
Natural Features
The small white cabin sits at the edge of a grassy meadow surrounded by a dense spruce-fir forest, at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Paradise Creek, a tributary of the Whiterocks River, flows lazily through the meadow in front of the cabin.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (435) 789-1181.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: PAGS
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
1 campsite at Paradise Guard Station
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | PAGS | Cabin Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 4 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Vernal, travel west on Highway 121/Maeser-Lapoint Highway, toward Lapoint. After passing the landfill and descending the hill along the curved road, some houses come into view. While approaching Deep Creek Road, look for brown signs to Paradise Park Reservoir. Turn right (north) at Deep Creek Road (approximately 12.5 miles west of the Dry Fork Canyon Road junction with Highway 121). Continue north on Deep Creek Road for nearly 7 miles and watch for a fork in the road. Turn left (northwest) onto Paradise Park Road and continue approximately 8.5 miles, reaching the Ashley National Forest boundary. The paved road ends and turns to an unsurfaced road at the cattle guard. Paradise Park Road becomes Forest Road 104. Follow the road along the switchbacks and continue northwest for approximately 9.5 miles. The guard station will be visible on the left side, at the junction with Paradise Park Campground. Travel may require skiing or snowshoeing during winter months.
40.66250, -109.91250 · 40°39'45.0"N 109°54'45.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Paradise Guard Station
- Can you reserve a site at Paradise Guard Station?
- Yes, Paradise Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Paradise Guard Station have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Paradise Guard Station?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Paradise Guard Station.
- Are campfires allowed at Paradise Guard Station?
- Campfires are allowed at Paradise Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Paradise Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Paradise Guard Station's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $40/group size of 4
Restrictions:
- Pets are not allowed inside the cabin.
Camping near Paradise Guard Station
- Carter Military Trail Yurt 11.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Uinta River Group 12 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Trout Creek Guard Station 14 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whiterocks Campground 3.3 mi · Campground
- Pole Creek Lake Campground 7.7 mi · Campground
- South Fork Camping Area 10.4 mi · Campground
- Dry Fork Flume Trailhead 2 11.1 mi · Facility
- Uinta Canyon Campground 12.2 mi · Campground
- Uinta River Group Campground 12.6 mi · Campground
- Dry Fork Flume Trailhead 1 12.7 mi · Facility
- Spirit Lake Campground 12.9 mi · Campground
- Browne Lake Campground 14.5 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 435-789-1181
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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