Payson Lakes Guard Station

Fr 017, Payson, Utah, United States
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PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION
Main Cabin and Bunk House
Main Cabin 8
Main Cabin
Bunk House

Featured amenities

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Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity
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About Payson Lakes Guard Station

Payson Lakes Guard Station is located in the Uinta National Forest, approximately 13 mi south of Payson, Utah, along the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway. The Guard Station was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 as part of the New Deal Program. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest offers the cabin for advance reservation so visitors can enjoy an experience similar to that of early Forest Rangers and their families.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

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Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking

Cabin Interior

  • Sleeping Capacity
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Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

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  • 8 guests

Site Details

Up to 8 guests
Shade
Surface: Paved
Driveway entry: Back-In
Campfire
View Site Details

Reviews

23 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Visitors enjoyed the beautiful, private setting of Payson Lakes Guard Station, highlighting the gorgeous views and abundant wildlife, including cows and birds. The camp hosts were praised for their helpfulness, and the main cabin was noted as comfortable. However, some issues were reported, such as a broken lock on the back cabin and a chirping smoke detector, which affected the experience for some guests.

Based on guest feedback

3.7

Overall rating

Based on 23 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 34.8% (8)
4 stars 30.4% (7)
3 stars 17.4% (4)
2 stars 8.7% (2)
1 star 8.7% (2)

Showing 23 reviews

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Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Wendy V

Verified

July 20, 2026 Stayed at: Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

We LOVED it! The cabins are back from the road far enough that it feels private. The view is gorgeous in every direction. There were cows surrounding the area most of the time and I feel that we received an education about how range cows really sound (think cross between bear and elk). There are plenty of plugs. Be prepared for bugs, dead and alive. That is what you get in a historic place like this. Lots of birds! We only used the main cabin, not the secondary one but they appeared to be very similar. Close enough to Payson that you can head there and back in about an hour if you must get to civilization. The hosts are great and let us borrow a phone once. I want to go again.

Helpful

Amber H

Verified

October 1, 2025 Stayed at: Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

Camp host was great
Front cabin was good to stay in
Back cabin the lock on the door was broken we had to wedge a chair under the door handle to keep the door locked at night and the smoke detector was chirping my full 3 day 2 night stay even in our sleep, this was not the best experience we have had there , our previous experience have been much better.
Please fix the alarm chirping and the door lock.

Helpful

Amber H

Verified

October 1, 2025 Stayed at: Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

Camp host was great
Front cabin was good to stay in
Back cabin the lock on the door was broken we had to wedge a chair under the door handle to keep the door locked at night and the smoke detector was chirping my full 3 day 2 night stay even in our sleep, this was not the best experience we have had there , our previous experience have been much better.
Please fix the alarm chirping and the door lock.

Helpful

Magdalena J

Verified

October 24, 2022 Stayed at: Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

We had an absolute ball at the Payson Lakes Guard Station. The cabin was incredibly clean and Adam was very helpful and lovely. We'd come here again in a heartbeat! My only suggestion would be to have a journal available for folks to share their experiences, we always love reading them. Thanks for having us!

Helpful

Magdalena J

Verified

October 24, 2022 Stayed at: Guard Station, Loop: PAYSON LAKES GUARD STATION

We had an absolute ball at the Payson Lakes Guard Station. The cabin was incredibly clean and Adam was very helpful and lovely. We'd come here again in a heartbeat! My only suggestion would be to have a journal available for folks to share their experiences, we always love reading them. Thanks for having us!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Payson Lakes Guard Station

Fr 017, Payson, UT 84651 United States

Elevation: 2,459 ft

Getting There

From I-15, take exit 250 toward north Payson/Salem and proceed south on Main Street to 100 North/Highway 198. Travel east to 600 East. Turn south onto 600 East, which becomes the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway/Payson Canyon Road. Travel south along the Ne...

Nearest town

Payson, UT - 14 mi

About 29 min to downtown

Highway access

The Payson Lakes Guard Station is accessible from I-15 via exit 250, which leads to Highway 198. The location is reached by traveling along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway/Payson Canyon Road.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • Check in and out with the Camp Host at Payson Lakes Campground for access and rules.
  • Gates open at 7 AM and close at 10 PM; no generators after 10 PM. Reservations held until noon the next day.
  • Reservations are required at least 5 days in advance; no walk-ins allowed.
  • Contact information for additional queries and reservations.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Store food and trash securely to avoid attracting bears; failure to do so can result in fines.

Utilities

  • Bring all your own water and garbage bags as there are no facilities available on-site.

Site capacity

  • Maximum occupancy is 8 people in bunks; 7 extra day-use guests allowed. No pets, RVs, or trailers. Limited to 5 vehicles.

Safety & rules

  • Minimum stay of 2 nights; maximum stay of 7 days.
  • Users assume all responsibility for accidents or injuries and loss of property; Utah Recreation is not liable.

Fires & fuel

  • Bring your own firewood or buy it for $9 per bundle; collection on-site is prohibited.
  • Obtain firewood within 10 miles of the site to prevent pest spread; do not move firewood.

Amenities

  • Guests must bring their own linens and utensils.

Vehicles & parking

  • Arrive with your RV or trailer water tank filled; no hooking up to spigots or power is allowed.

Cancellation policy

  • No refunds for weather; cancellations within 14 days lose first night fee and incur a $10 fee. No-shows incur a $20 fee.

Local regulations

  • Visit wildlife resources for more information on Bear Country and campground rules.

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Blackhawk Campground, located at 8 ft along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, offers stunning panoramic views and excellent hiking trails for visitors.

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Campground / RV park

Tinney Flat

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Tinney Flat Campground is situated in Santaquin Canyon, 9 mi from town at 7 ft elevation. It offers opportunities for fishing and exploring nearby trails. The location is known for its scenic beauty.

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Santaquin

9 mi away

City
Explore destination

Salem

9 mi away

City
Explore destination

Payson

10 mi away

City

Last updated: November 3, 2026

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Explore Payson, UT

Population: 23,039

Nearby city: Provo, UT

Approx. 21 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,652 ft

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