Can you reserve a site at Summit Springs Guard Station?

Yes, Summit Springs Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Summit Springs Guard Station?

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

Are pets allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station?

Yes, pets are allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station.

Are campfires allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station?

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

Summit Springs Guard Station, Utah — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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. The Ashley National Forest has chosen to rehabilitate and rent this guard station and bunkhouse to the public so that guests can enjoy a rustic experience similar to that of the first rangers. It is available from mid-May through mid-September.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

Season: Mid-May – Mid-September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 40 people per site
Loops: SUMMIT SPRINGS GUARD STATION

Site types

1 Group Standard Area 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 Summit Springs Guard Station

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
GA01	SUMMIT SPRINGS GUARD STATION	Group Standard Area Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	40 ft	40	🐾

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. Drive 34.8 miles to Greendale Junction. Continue onto UT 44. Drive 14.7 miles to the upper (first) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn left onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 364, and turn left onto the drive into Summit Springs.

40.87882, -109.74551 · 40°52'43.8"N 109°44'43.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 34°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	36	39	49	56	65	76	83	81	72	60	45	34
Low °F	12	15	24	30	39	46	54	51	43	32	21	14
Precip in	0.5	0.6	0.6	1.0	1.6	1.2	1.1	1.3	1.0	1.5	0.5	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Summit Springs Guard Station

Can you reserve a site at Summit Springs Guard Station?: Yes, Summit Springs Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Summit Springs Guard Station have?: 1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Summit Springs Guard Station?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station?: Yes, pets are allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station.
Are campfires allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station?: Campfires are allowed at Summit Springs Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Summit Springs Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Summit Springs Guard Station's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Sunday-Wednesday: $250 Thursday-Saturday & Holidays: $300

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Summit Springs Guard Station

Browne Lake Group Sites 3.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Navajo Cliffs 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hideout Canyon Boat-in Campground 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Carter Military Trail Yurt 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Deep Creek Campground 1.9 mi · Campground
Manns Campground 3.5 mi · Campground
Willows Campground 3.5 mi · Campground
Carmel Campground 3.7 mi · Campground
Browne Lake Campground 4 mi · Campground
Sheep Creek Bay Campground 4.7 mi · Campground
Sheep Creek Lake Campground 5.5 mi · Campground
Dowd Mountain Overlook 6.4 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 801-226-3564
Email Help.Ashley.SummitSprings@AmericanLL.com
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-17.

Summit Springs Guard Station