Blacksmith Fork Guard Station

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:)

Ranger Station was exactly what I was looking for. Remote, quiet, warm wood burning stove and good nights rest.

Ranger Station was exactly what I was looking for. Remote, quiet, warm wood burning stove and good nights rest.

House smelled like propane, windows had plywood covering them, looked like squatters had been staying there, overall not worth the money. The house was extremely underwhelming, for the trip definitely save your money and book just the campsite.

House smelled like propane, windows had plywood covering them, looked like squatters had been staying there, overall not worth the money. The house was extremely underwhelming, for the trip definitely save your money and book just the campsite.

How do you feel about camping in mouse poop that could give you hantavirus? 6 of us including babies went on a XC ski cabin trip up to Blacksmith Fork Guard Station mid-February '24. This was FAR below our expectations especially for $79 a night. Upon arriving, we realized there was so much mouse poop on every horizontal surface we saw. On the counters, table, floor, window seals, counters in the kitchen, on the mattresses, under the mattresses, dresser, fridge, oven range, in kitchen drawers and more. That wasn’t it, the cleanliness was extremely poor. The fridge and freezer had mold.

Before our trip, I called the ranger to ask about the cabin and get more details. We were expecting to use some of the things the ranger said we could use but because of the poor maintenance of the cabin we were not able to. I was told there were propane lights we could use there and instructions on how to use them, upon arrival we read the instructions which said to install a mantle for the light. There was only one mantle in the cabin so we could only have one room lit. I was told there were dishes to use there but they had mouse poop on them (they had butter knives but I don’t think they had spoons/forks). I was told there would be instructions on how to use everything with propane but there wasn’t any info on how to use the propane fridge. I was told the beds are sanitized between guests. The beds had pet hair, mouse poop, and lots of little yellow stains on them. On one mattress, it looked like a human (or dog) had peed on it. There was one unset mouse trap under the kitchen sink, but no other measures to keep the mice out...Check my google review for pictures and more info as I am limited on space and cannot add pictures here.

I called and talked with the ranger after the visit and the ranger was grateful to know what was going on. They refunded us for our trip.

How do you feel about camping in mouse poop that could give you hantavirus? 6 of us including babies went on a XC ski cabin trip up to Blacksmith Fork Guard Station mid-February '24. This was FAR below our expectations especially for $79 a night. Upon arriving, we realized there was so much mouse poop on every horizontal surface we saw. On the counters, table, floor, window seals, counters in the kitchen, on the mattresses, under the mattresses, dresser, fridge, oven range, in kitchen drawers and more. That wasn’t it, the cleanliness was extremely poor. The fridge and freezer had mold.

Before our trip, I called the ranger to ask about the cabin and get more details. We were expecting to use some of the things the ranger said we could use but because of the poor maintenance of the cabin we were not able to. I was told there were propane lights we could use there and instructions on how to use them, upon arrival we read the instructions which said to install a mantle for the light. There was only one mantle in the cabin so we could only have one room lit. I was told there were dishes to use there but they had mouse poop on them (they had butter knives but I don’t think they had spoons/forks). I was told there would be instructions on how to use everything with propane but there wasn’t any info on how to use the propane fridge. I was told the beds are sanitized between guests. The beds had pet hair, mouse poop, and lots of little yellow stains on them. On one mattress, it looked like a human (or dog) had peed on it. There was one unset mouse trap under the kitchen sink, but no other measures to keep the mice out...Check my google review for pictures and more info as I am limited on space and cannot add pictures here.

I called and talked with the ranger after the visit and the ranger was grateful to know what was going on. They refunded us for our trip.