Indian Creek Guard Station
4.4410 reviews115 West Canyon Road, P.O. Box 310
Indian Creek Guard Station
$50.00 - $50.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
The nightly rate for the cabin during peak season (June 20, 2025 - October 14, 2025) is $50. Additional service fees may apply depending on reservation methods.
About this campground
Step back in time at Indian Creek Guard Station, where 1930s craftsmanship meets mountain adventure. This historic cabin, lovingly crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps, stands as a gateway to endless outdoor pursuits in the heart of the Wasatch Plateau. Whether you're casting a line into the pristine waters of Ferron Reservoir, exploring miles of hiking trails, carving fresh powder on cross-country skis, or navigating the renowned Arapeen Trail System on your ATV or snowmobile, this rustic retreat serves as your perfect basecamp. Inside, you'll find the warmth of historic charm balanced with thoughtful modern comforts, creating an authentic mountain experience that connects you to both nature and the legacy of America's conservation heritage.
Indian Creek Guard Station offers cabin lodging with the option for tent camping outside. It is not suitable for RVs.
Historical SignificanceThese weathered walls have stories to tell. Constructed during the Great Depression by the industrious hands of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Indian Creek Guard Station has stood sentinel over the Wasatch Plateau backcountry for nearly a century. Generation after generation of forest rangers have called this cabin home, keeping watch over the wilderness, fighting fires, and protecting the land. Today, visitors can feel the echoes of this rich heritage in every hand-hewn beam and time-worn floorboard, connecting with a living piece of American conservation history.
Weather and SeasonsPerched high at 9,400 feet, Indian Creek Guard Station experiences the full drama of mountain weather. Summer visitors enjoy crisp, cool evenings that offer relief from valley heat, while afternoon thunderstorms occasionally roll through with spectacular displays. As September arrives, the weather becomes delightfully unpredictable—one day might bring warm sunshine, the next a dusting of snow or the percussive symphony of hail on the cabin roof. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-covered wonderland, with access becoming an adventure in itself as snowmobiles replace vehicles on the journey to your mountain retreat.
ElevationAt 9,400 feet above sea level, Indian Creek Guard Station offers a true high-country experience. Here, the air is crisp and thin, carrying the scent of spruce and fir. Summer nights bring a refreshing coolness that invites cozy evenings by the fire, while days offer that perfect mountain temperature for outdoor adventures. The elevation provides not just cooler temperatures, but a sense of escape—you're literally above the everyday world, breathing rarified air in a place where the sky feels closer and the stars shine brighter.
Natural Features and SceneryWake to mirror-like reflections on Ferron Reservoir, where morning mist dances across the water and fish rise to greet the dawn. The guard station is embraced by towering Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, their dark green contrasting beautifully with groves of quaking aspen that shimmer silver in summer breezes and blaze gold in autumn. The legendary Skyline Drive traces the spine of the Wasatch Plateau nearby, offering access to breathtaking vistas that stretch to the horizon. In summer, alpine meadows explode with Indian paintbrush, lupine, and columbine, while fall brings a spectacular show as aspens transform the mountainsides into rivers of gold.
Geological RegionIndian Creek Guard Station sits within the majestic Manti-La Sal National Forest, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a landscape of extraordinary beauty. The Wasatch Plateau rises like a massive island of stone above the surrounding valleys, its summit scarred by glacial cirques that now cradle jewel-like alpine lakes. This is a landscape written in layers of time—ancient seafloors lifted skyward, carved by ice, and clothed in forests of spruce, fir, and aspen. Countless lakes and reservoirs dot the plateau, each reflecting the big Utah sky and offering their own invitation to explore. Here, geology becomes adventure, whether you're fishing in a glacial lake, hiking through a carved canyon, or simply marveling at the panoramic views that reveal millions of years of Earth's history.
Campsite details
Sites SizeRoom for up to 10 guests (six inside the cabin, four outside in tents).
Sites PrivacySome reviews mention the station provides "great privacy" (User review by Miguel G), whereas others note the presence of a loud generator from the nearby camp host's trailer may interfere with the experience.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring your own cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and bedding. Gather firewood locally to avoid transporting pests.
Best CampsitesCampsite 001 is the only available site.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in time not explicitly stated.
Check-out
Check-out time not explicitly stated.
Stay Limit
14 consecutive nights per visit, up to 14 nights total within rolling 30 days.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Maximum of 10 people: Six inside the cabin and four camped outside in tents.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutSingle cabin with support for six people indoors and space for four tents outdoors.
Open and Closed SeasonJune 20, 2025 - October 14, 2025 (reservable dates). Indoor plumbing is available July through mid-September; vault toilets are provided during colder months.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov or the contact center.
Walk-in AvailabilityNo information provided.
Cancellation PolicyReservations must be canceled at least 14 days before the arrival date for cabins to avoid late cancellation fees of $10 plus the forfeiture of the first night's recreation use fee.
Accomodation available
Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.
Amenities available
Showers
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Flush toilets
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
The Indian Creek Guard Station provides a range of year-round recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, boating, and various winter sports. Additionally, the Arapeen ATV Trail System, offering over 350 miles of maintained trails, is easily accessible.
Hiking
The surrounding area offers trails with beautiful views, including Skyline Drive, which spans more than 60 miles atop the Wasatch Plateau.Fishing
Fishing opportunities include rainbow and cutthroat trout in Ferron Reservoir. "The fishing GREAT (My husband caught a brookie)." (User review by Sally M).Biking
Some user reviews highlight using the nearby trail systems and Skyline Drive for biking.Boating
Ferron Reservoir allows canoeing and boating (small craft only).Wildlife viewing
"Wildlife and summer wildflowers are plentiful, and autumn leaves put on quite a show." (Official source).Winter Activities
Winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, and snowshoeing.Water Sports
Canoeing and kayaking at Ferron Reservoir.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Firewood supplied December-March. Guests should bring their own matches.
- Quiet hours are No explicit mention of quiet hours.
Hazards
General hazardsSnow accumulation may limit access after September, requiring snowmobiles. Elevation may affect those unaccustomed to high altitudes.
Active alertsNone provided.
Weather forecast
66
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 37%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 12.2 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Ferron Ranger District at 435-384-2372, Sanpete Ranger District at 435-283-4151, Price Ranger District at 435-637-2817.
Good to know
Peak season datesJune 20, 2025 - October 14, 2025
Trash and recycling"This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; please bring garbage bags and haul all trash out upon departure." (Official source).
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Ferron Reservoir. Short drives to Rush Pond and Willow Lake for additional fishing opportunities.
Common complaintsSome reviews mention limited cooking supplies and poorly stocked cleaning equipment. Noise complaints from nearby hosts running generators were noted.
HostA nearby host stays in a camper trailer. Multiple reviews noted generator noise during early mornings and evenings.
Campground Map
115 West Canyon Road, P.O. Box 310
Driving directionsFrom Ferron, head west on West Canyon Road. Heading out of town, you will pass the golf course and Millsite Park. The pavement ends near the forest boundary. Stay on this road till you get to Ferron Reservoir, about 27 miles. Go to the left around the reservoir and you will see a sign for the guard station. From Mayfield, head east through Twelve Mile Canyon, on Forest Development Road 022. Near the top of the plateau, you'll see Twelve Mile Flat Campground on the right. Across from the campground, make a left and continue on Forest Development Road 022, over the plateau and down the other side, about 3 miles. You'll see the guard station on the left before you pass the reservoir.
The road transitions from paved to unpaved near the forest boundary. Seasonal access challenges may arise due to snow accumulation after September, requiring snowmobiles to reach the station.Nearby places
Ferron (27 miles, approximately 45 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Ephraim (accessible via nearby trails), Ferron (27 miles away). Supplies like food, camping gear, and fuel are available in these towns.
Camper Reviews
4.4
10 reviews
Indian Creek Guard Station is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, users praise the cabin's amenities and scenic location but note issues such as limited cooking supplies and occasional discomfort from nearby generators.
Review Summaries
Based on 10 reviews
What Campers Love
Users have highlighted the availability of running water, hot showers, flush toilets, solar power, and scenic views of Ferron Reservoir. "The setting was wonderful. We walked relaxed and just enjoyed...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Complaints include limited cooking supplies, loud generator noise from the camp host, and solar power inconsistencies. "Bring your own stuff to eat, clean and cook with as it is poorly stocked."...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Bring sufficient cooking supplies, bedding, and a cooler as there is no refrigerator. Firewood is provided in winter, but matches are required year-round. "Gathered firewood on our way to the station...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Visitors note that the station's high elevation leads to unpredictable weather, especially after September. Winter access requires snowmobiles.
Based on 10 reviewsCamper Quotes
"Would stay at this place 1000 times over. Good fishing, great privacy, amazing wood burning stove." (User review by Miguel G). "Bring your own stuff to eat, clean and cook with as it is poorly...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site 001 is frequently mentioned in reviews, with users noting both positive experiences and issues with generator noise.
Based on 10 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are not allowed per the official policies.
Based on 10 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025