USDA Forest Service · Utah
Paradise Guard Station
USDA Forest Service · Utah, United States · in Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to November 1
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,888 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MOSBY MOUNTAIN (NFSR 10104) · native material · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Ashley National Forest
- Nearest town
- VERNAL
- Address
- 355 N Vernal Ave, VERNAL, UT, 84078
- Phone
- 435-789-1181
- Activities
- Biking, Birding, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Photography, Picnicking, Scenic Drive, Star Gazing, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 7° | -12° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 6° | -14° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 32° | 14° | -3° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 19° | 1° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 50° | 28° | 5° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 66° | 40° | 28° | 80° | 6 of 11 |
| July | 73° | 48° | 38° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 69° | 46° | 36° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 63° | 40° | 21° | 71° | 4 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 28° | 3° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 23° | -7° | 50° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 28° | 7° | -8° | 46° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Whiterocks · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Pole Creek Lake · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Carter Military Trail Yurt · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 1 sites
- Uinta Canyon · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Uinta River Group · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Utah · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.