USDA Forest Service · Utah
Podunk Guard Station
USDA Forest Service · Utah, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to October 17
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,104 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
- NFSR 31219 · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Dixie National Forest
- Nearest town
- PANGUITCH
- Address
- PO BOX 80, PANGUITCH, UT, 84759-0080
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnic Tables, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Podunk Guard Station is located next to the East Fork Sevier River, in the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah. The cabin was constructed in 1928 and has been used by generations of Forest Service employees.
Guests enjoy exploring local trails on foot, horseback, mountain bike and off-road vehicle. The river offers fishing and swimming opportunities.
Recreation
Recreational opportunities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, off-roading and fishing. The Paunsaugunt, Fremont and Great Western OHV Trail Systems can be accessed easily from the guard station.
Facilities
The two-room cabin can sleep six people on two, twin-size bunk beds located in the bedroom, and a double-size futon in the living room. No linens or bedding are provided.
The kitchen is equipped with a propane cook top range and oven, a table and chairs. No pots, pans, dishes or utensils are available. Guests must bring their own cooking and eating euipment. A wood stove is provided for heat, firewood is not guaranteed. The cabin has seasonal water running water in the kitchen sink only (when temperatures are freezing the water will be turned off).
A vault toilet, picnic table and campfire ring are located outside.
Natural Features
The cabin sits in a narrow mountain valley just above the meandering East Fork Sevier River. The meadow is surrounded by mature spruce trees, and grasses and willow thickets line the riverbanks.
Average summer temperatures range from 74 degrees during the day to 42 degrees at night. September temperatures range from 68 to 37 degrees; October temperatures range from 57 to 27 degrees.
Nearby Attractions
Tropic Reservoir is 8.5 miles north of the cabin. Boating, canoeing and fishing are popular activities. Anglers fish for brook, rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. A boat ramp is located on the west side of the reservoir.
Fees
Reservation Cancellations & Changes (see website for more information)
Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see website).
https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policieshttps://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
Cancellation Fee: A service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
Fees: Applicable fees, such as reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees, are non-refundable.
https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policieshttps://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 16° | 4° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 15° | -3° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 21° | -9° | 71° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 51° | 28° | 13° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 38° | 23° | 74° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 77° | 50° | 35° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 57° | 48° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 53° | 44° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 49° | 32° | 80° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 60° | 35° | 20° | 73° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 50° | 30° | 6° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 20° | -6° | 56° | 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
- Kings Creek · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 40 sites
- Kings Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- North Campground (UT) · National Park Service · 12 mi · 103 sites
- Sunset Campground (UT) · National Park Service · 12 mi · 102 sites
- North Campground · National Park Service · 13 mi · 100 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.