Blacksmith Fork Guard Station

As always the guard station was magnificent. This was our third time staying there and first time for our good friends.
Plenty of firewood

As always the guard station was magnificent. This was our third time staying there and first time for our good friends.
Plenty of firewood

On the positive side, the road into the cabin did not have any trees blocking it. Everything else about the 2 mi leading up to the cabin was awful. Traveling at a pace that made the final 2 mi take 40 minutes, we were bounced and tossed about in our SUV mercilessly. At times we had doubts as to whether we would be able to make it there. Once we arrived, we found the cabin to be a challenge. There were instructions on the counter for operating the appliances and the lights. We used the stove, but never went to the trouble of figuring out the refrigerator or the lights. There were many roaches in the cabin, having a gathering in the sink. There is no running water, and no indication of where water is to be obtained, other than from the river running nearby. There was no firewood. The location is beautiful, the cabin picturesque, but this is no place to stop for a single night.

On the positive side, the road into the cabin did not have any trees blocking it. Everything else about the 2 mi leading up to the cabin was awful. Traveling at a pace that made the final 2 mi take 40 minutes, we were bounced and tossed about in our SUV mercilessly. At times we had doubts as to whether we would be able to make it there. Once we arrived, we found the cabin to be a challenge. There were instructions on the counter for operating the appliances and the lights. We used the stove, but never went to the trouble of figuring out the refrigerator or the lights. There were many roaches in the cabin, having a gathering in the sink. There is no running water, and no indication of where water is to be obtained, other than from the river running nearby. There was no firewood. The location is beautiful, the cabin picturesque, but this is no place to stop for a single night.

The road in to the cabin is very, very rough. Expect to drive at 5-10 mph while legitimately worrying about flattening one or more tires unless you're ripping by in an ATV.

When we arrived at the cabin the glass on the front door was smashed and from the guestbook we learned the place had been robbed the day before.

The cabin has a lot of potential but between the road, the glass and the risk of crime we did not sleep soundly.

The road in to the cabin is very, very rough. Expect to drive at 5-10 mph while legitimately worrying about flattening one or more tires unless you're ripping by in an ATV.

When we arrived at the cabin the glass on the front door was smashed and from the guestbook we learned the place had been robbed the day before.

The cabin has a lot of potential but between the road, the glass and the risk of crime we did not sleep soundly.

For the price per night, we weren't that impressed with this site. I realize that it was a holiday weekend and there were plenty of other people up the canyon. The road is *not* improved, and it took us quite a while to travel the three miles up. The shared bathroom is probably fine on the off season, but every other minute there was someone using it and it was uncomfortable having so much traffic right outside our cabin. There was no where to store our trash (usually there are bear-proof containers or cans to use). Apparently mice got into our trash bag and in our car on our way home. The cabin wasn't left in great shape and we had to stock the bathroom with toilet paper due to all the visitors.

I've stayed in multiple ranger stations and this was our least favorite unfortunately. The river and firepit out back made it worthwhile, though. Lots of privacy there. I think this should be 30/night max.

For the price per night, we weren't that impressed with this site. I realize that it was a holiday weekend and there were plenty of other people up the canyon. The road is *not* improved, and it took us quite a while to travel the three miles up. The shared bathroom is probably fine on the off season, but every other minute there was someone using it and it was uncomfortable having so much traffic right outside our cabin. There was no where to store our trash (usually there are bear-proof containers or cans to use). Apparently mice got into our trash bag and in our car on our way home. The cabin wasn't left in great shape and we had to stock the bathroom with toilet paper due to all the visitors.

I've stayed in multiple ranger stations and this was our least favorite unfortunately. The river and firepit out back made it worthwhile, though. Lots of privacy there. I think this should be 30/night max.

This is a nice area, easy to find and a pretty forrest of deciduous trees mainly, and not much pine as the elevation isnt very high. Beautiful lush greenery and a lovely bubbling creek out back. Campers spread along the one dirt road in various sites yet unable to see or hear them except for the occasional passing car. Although the road is dirt, any sedan can easily navigate it, avoiding pointy rocks. The cabin itself is full of character as expected, had a nice working refrigerator, pots pans and many odds and ends in the cabinets. The bed mattresses are rough sleeping for any adult, so bring an extra pad, or air mattresses is best, kid or youth can hack it though. Unfortunately people. who come and go hardly keep it tidy, compared to many other cabins we have rented, but if you are staying a few days its easy enough to clean it up for your visit. There were a few mosquitos but not many ( August) Nearest services are 20-30 mins away. Lots of fox, deer and I presume bears in the area-bear activity signs were posted and everywhere in this area is possible for bears, so bear mace, bells and planning ahead for that is best.
Lovely views of the mountains, boulder outcrops and a small beach area for the kids to play. We were disappointed in the general condition of the property with a chipped up cement picnic table, pealing paint, exterior looking near abandoned in person, and the fence looking as if it hasn't had a facelift since the 1940s-1960s. Other cabins for rent in Utah are far more maintained than this one in terms of the exterior. We love the old world rustic interior, but A deep clean would be nice as the floors and window sils were the worst. The floors were old and scraped up and we loved that authentic look but they were pretty filthy despite being swept, and the windows and window sils were probably the worst thing with hundreds of dead bug and flies and massive dust and dirt dug into them. ALL WINDOWS NEED A FULL DEEP CLEANING. CLEAN UP after yourselves:)

This is a nice area, easy to find and a pretty forrest of deciduous trees mainly, and not much pine as the elevation isnt very high. Beautiful lush greenery and a lovely bubbling creek out back. Campers spread along the one dirt road in various sites yet unable to see or hear them except for the occasional passing car. Although the road is dirt, any sedan can easily navigate it, avoiding pointy rocks. The cabin itself is full of character as expected, had a nice working refrigerator, pots pans and many odds and ends in the cabinets. The bed mattresses are rough sleeping for any adult, so bring an extra pad, or air mattresses is best, kid or youth can hack it though. Unfortunately people. who come and go hardly keep it tidy, compared to many other cabins we have rented, but if you are staying a few days its easy enough to clean it up for your visit. There were a few mosquitos but not many ( August) Nearest services are 20-30 mins away. Lots of fox, deer and I presume bears in the area-bear activity signs were posted and everywhere in this area is possible for bears, so bear mace, bells and planning ahead for that is best.
Lovely views of the mountains, boulder outcrops and a small beach area for the kids to play. We were disappointed in the general condition of the property with a chipped up cement picnic table, pealing paint, exterior looking near abandoned in person, and the fence looking as if it hasn't had a facelift since the 1940s-1960s. Other cabins for rent in Utah are far more maintained than this one in terms of the exterior. We love the old world rustic interior, but A deep clean would be nice as the floors and window sils were the worst. The floors were old and scraped up and we loved that authentic look but they were pretty filthy despite being swept, and the windows and window sils were probably the worst thing with hundreds of dead bug and flies and massive dust and dirt dug into them. ALL WINDOWS NEED A FULL DEEP CLEANING. CLEAN UP after yourselves:)