Colton Guard Station
Ashley National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: VERNAL, UT, UT
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Season: May through October
Colton Guard Station is located in the Colton Hollow area, approximately 5 miles west of U.S. It is near Vernal, Utah, in the Ashley National Forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the complex in 1933 as part of Franklin D.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/colton-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1933 CCC-built guard station in Ashley National Forest with excellent 5-star reviews. Campers praise its remote solitude and proximity to services, plus unique amenities like fire rings and vault toilets.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, American Black Bear, Mountain Cottontail, and Least Chipmunk present in area. Also Mountain Chickadee, Northern Flicker, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch.
Insider tips for Colton Guard Station: Book early — federal campground with only 1 site Arrive before dark as directions are incomplete and area is remote Bring extra time if arriving in winter; stove takes ~1 hour to warm the cabin
Skip Colton Guard Station if: Needing hookups — no hookups available. Visiting outside May-October season — closed seasonally. Preferring RV camping — tent site only.
Best time to visit Colton Guard Station: July-September — Seasonal operations May-October; July reviews mention comfortable conditions. Winter visits possible but cabin heating requires time to warm..
Nearby campgrounds: Iron Springs Group Ashley (Vernal, UT), Grizzly Ridge Yurt (VERNAL, UT), Limber Flag Yurt (VERNAL, UT), Trout Creek Guard Station (VERNAL, UT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Colton Guard Station
Cell signal at Colton Guard Station (VERNAL, UT): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Colton Guard Station is located in the Colton Hollow area, approximately 5 miles west of U.S. It is near Vernal, Utah, in the Ashley National Forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the complex in 1933 as part of Franklin D.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
federal campground with only 1 site
Arrive before dark as directions are incomplete and area is remote
Bring extra time if arriving in winter; stove takes ~1 hour to warm the cabin
Seasonal operations May-October; July reviews mention comfortable conditions. Winter visits possible but cabin heating requires time to warm.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Follow the mileage indications below and look for signs when traveling to Colton Guard Station. Leave with plenty of time to arrive at the guard station before dark. From Vernal, travel north on U.S. Highway 191/Vernal Avenue for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Forest Road 020. A paved parking lot with a restroom is located at the intersection. Continue northwest on the paved Forest Road 020 for approximately two miles. Turn left (southwest) at Forest Road 019 and continue for less t
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Ashley National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ashley National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Colton Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Colton Guard Station open?+
Does Colton Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Colton Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Colton Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at Colton Guard Station?+
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●Data sources on this page
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