Warning
GeneralA location closure has been issued, and the facility is closed at this time. Reservation-holders will receive an email with additional information. Please check back for location closure updates.
About Cowpuncher Guard Station
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
Site Details
Reviews (30)
What Guests Are Saying
Cowpuncher Guard Station receives praise for its serene environment and opportunities for outdoor activities. Many guests enjoy the rustic charm and well-maintained facilities. However, some mention limited accessibility and basic amenities as areas for improvement.
What Guests Are Saying
Cowpuncher Guard Station receives praise for its serene environment and opportunities for outdoor activities. Many guests enjoy the rustic charm and well-maintained facilities. However, some mention limited accessibility and basic amenities as areas for improvement.
Review Summary
Curt P
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
only glitch is the lock on the gate. Extremely hard to work the combination lock. A ranger checking in there when we were stymied tried too and gave up. Used her key on the alternate lock. Hoping by now thats remedied. Heavnly place in general. To maintain quality of the trout fishing suggest catch and release be the way to go,and no bait or "power bait".
Jan B
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2020 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
Water had been shut off because of a contamination problem, but we had a supply plus what the Forest Service provided in the cabin (bottled water). It was soon restored, and all went well. This was our second time in the cabin, and we hope to return this summer. A beautiful spot, very comfortable place, and good fishing for small cutthroat trout in Pine Creek. Bring a jigsaw puzzle or some games for the long nights without TV (actually, a blessing!) We drove our small campervan up, so we had a supply of hot water, a propane fridge, and extra water, plus a second toilet But the cabin and outhouse are just fine as is. For fly fishermen, Pine Creek is just right for a short fly rod or, better yet, a Tenkara rod. I recommend releasing these fish as they are Colorado Cutthroat Trout, part of the Utah Cutthroat Slam, but probably eating a few would not hurt the population much, as they are numerous and have good holes, undercut banks and brushy sections to hide in. No great skills as a fly fisher are needed—just get the fly without spooking the fish and they will usually grab at it. Cows in the area are sometimes a bit intrusive, so be sure to keep the gate closed. I had intended to hike down into "The Box" a ways to see what the fishing was like there, but never got below the campground downstream of the cabin catching plenty of fish in that stretch. Upstream from the cabin I crossed the fence over the stream once, but the fishing was just as good right next to "home" with no cows getting at the streamside. I can harldy wait to get back this coming summer!
Jan B
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2020 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
Water had been shut off because of a contamination problem, but we had a supply plus what the Forest Service provided in the cabin (bottled water). It was soon restored, and all went well. This was our second time in the cabin, and we hope to return this summer. A beautiful spot, very comfortable place, and good fishing for small cutthroat trout in Pine Creek. Bring a jigsaw puzzle or some games for the long nights without TV (actually, a blessing!) We drove our small campervan up, so we had a supply of hot water, a propane fridge, and extra water, plus a second toilet But the cabin and outhouse are just fine as is. For fly fishermen, Pine Creek is just right for a short fly rod or, better yet, a Tenkara rod. I recommend releasing these fish as they are Colorado Cutthroat Trout, part of the Utah Cutthroat Slam, but probably eating a few would not hurt the population much, as they are numerous and have good holes, undercut banks and brushy sections to hide in. No great skills as a fly fisher are needed—just get the fly without spooking the fish and they will usually grab at it. Cows in the area are sometimes a bit intrusive, so be sure to keep the gate closed. I had intended to hike down into "The Box" a ways to see what the fishing was like there, but never got below the campground downstream of the cabin catching plenty of fish in that stretch. Upstream from the cabin I crossed the fence over the stream once, but the fishing was just as good right next to "home" with no cows getting at the streamside. I can harldy wait to get back this coming summer!
Jan B
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2020 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
Water had been shut off because of a contamination problem, but we had a supply plus what the Forest Service provided in the cabin (bottled water). It was soon restored, and all went well. This was our second time in the cabin, and we hope to return this summer. A beautiful spot, very comfortable place, and good fishing for small cutthroat trout in Pine Creek. Bring a jigsaw puzzle or some games for the long nights without TV (actually, a blessing!) We drove our small campervan up, so we had a supply of hot water, a propane fridge, and extra water, plus a second toilet But the cabin and outhouse are just fine as is. For fly fishermen, Pine Creek is just right for a short fly rod or, better yet, a Tenkara rod. I recommend releasing these fish as they are Colorado Cutthroat Trout, part of the Utah Cutthroat Slam, but probably eating a few would not hurt the population much, as they are numerous and have good holes, undercut banks and brushy sections to hide in. No great skills as a fly fisher are needed—just get the fly without spooking the fish and they will usually grab at it. Cows in the area are sometimes a bit intrusive, so be sure to keep the gate closed. I had intended to hike down into "The Box" a ways to see what the fishing was like there, but never got below the campground downstream of the cabin catching plenty of fish in that stretch. Upstream from the cabin I crossed the fence over the stream once, but the fishing was just as good right next to "home" with no cows getting at the streamside. I can harldy wait to get back this coming summer!
David C
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
This place is heaven in the woods. The blue spruce surrounding the meadow are beautiful. Pine Creek is pristine and fishable. The cabin has lots of places to sleep and the memories made here will last a lifetime.
David C
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
This place is heaven in the woods. The blue spruce surrounding the meadow are beautiful. Pine Creek is pristine and fishable. The cabin has lots of places to sleep and the memories made here will last a lifetime.
David C
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
This place is heaven in the woods. The blue spruce surrounding the meadow are beautiful. Pine Creek is pristine and fishable. The cabin has lots of places to sleep and the memories made here will last a lifetime.
Dave G
VerifiedDecember 7, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
We'll be back again, over and over
Dave G
VerifiedDecember 7, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
We'll be back again, over and over
Dave G
VerifiedDecember 7, 2019 • Stayed at: Cowpuncher, Loop: COWPUNCHER
We'll be back again, over and over
Location Cowpuncher Guard Station
Address:
P.O Box 246
Escalante, UT, 84726
United States
From Highway 12 in Escalante, turn north on 300E. Drive 14 miles to the junction of Forest Roads 154 and 153. Continue on FR153 for 4.5 miles. Turn left on FR145 towards Cowpuncher and Blue Spruce Campground. Travel 0.7 miles to Cowpuncher Gate. The cabin is 0.2 miles past the gate.
Cowpuncher Guard Station is accessible via Highway 12 in Escalante, approximately 14 miles away.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.9997 / -111.659
Elevation: 2543 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Safety & rules
- Guests must pack out all garbage as no service is available.
Vehicles & parking
- Access may be challenging during wet weather due to a 14-mile dirt road with steep sections.
- In winter, access to the last 5.5 miles requires a snowmobile or skis.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralA location closure has been issued, and the facility is closed at this time. Reservation-holders will receive an email with additional information. Please check back for location closure updates.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
