Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234316
When Colton Guard Station reopens
Colton Guard Station's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
13
Openings · last 90 days
13
Only 13 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 154 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 131 open for online reservation · 23 reserved.
Where the open windows are
14.9% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 131 of 154 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online14.9%
Open site-nights131 / 154
Reserved (of online inventory)23 / 154
Weekday openings77
Weekend openings54
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 77 fall on weekdays and 54 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 31 of 31 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 site| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked night. Christmas: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay.
Availability
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 001 | 131 |
This site currently has 131 site-nights available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateSat · Sep 19
Next open weekendSat · Sep 19
The next bookable night is Sep 19; the first open weekend starts Sep 19. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
131 open site-nights across 1 site at Colton Guard Station, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 4 2-night, 3 3-night, 2 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 30 at site 001.
All 1 site with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Not recorded | None | 131 | 109 nights | Sep 19, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 9, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 18, Oct 19, Oct 20, Oct 21 +119 more |
About Colton Guard Station
Overview
Colton Guard Station is located in the Colton Hollow area, approximately 5 miles west of U.S. Highway 191. It is near Vernal, Utah, in the Ashley National Forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the complex in 1933 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal instituted during the Great Depression. It was a residence for rangers who patrolled the forest on horseback prior to the age of modern vehicles.
The Ashley National Forest Vernal Ranger District has chosen to rent this guard station to the public so that guests can enjoy a RUSTIC experience similar to that of the first rangers. Colton Guard Station is open for reservations all months of the year, except November, April and May.
The cabin can be accessed by vehicle throughout warmer months and during the winter, access is by snowmobile, cross-country ski or snowshoe travel. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Call the District Office at (435) 789-1181 three business days prior to a reserved visit to confirm door lock combination. District Office is closed Saturday and Sunday. Lock combination is REQUIRED to enter guard station.
Recreation
In summer months, numerous hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the area. In winter months, endless snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities are right out the front door.
Facilities
A cabin and bunkhouse are located within the complex. The cabin can sleep three people on one twin-size bunk and one twin bed. No linens, bedding or pillows are provided. The bunkhouse behind the cabin can sleep up to eight additional people, on several provided twin mattresses. Tent camping is allowed outside. The maximum capacity for overnight guests is 10 people.
From mid-June to mid-September, the cabin has running water in the sink. The kitchen has basic amenities including a sink, propane range, table and four chairs. The cabin has a wood-burning stove for heat. A campfire ring is located outside. Solar lights are provided, however, due to varying weather conditions, they are not reliable. Please be prepared with battery powered lanterns or flashlights. Very limited cookware is provided, guests are required to bring their own cooking supplies.
The cabin remains locked; call the Vernal Ranger District office, at (435) 789-1181, three business days prior to arrival, to confirm the combination lock code. COMBINATION CODE REQUIRED to enter cabin. (Some combination locks used have off-set entry lines. If code is not working, try off-setting entry line).
From mid-September to mid-June (winter), most amenities are shut off. There is NO WATER and NO INDOOR TOILET. The operable amenities include the propane range, wood-burning stove and outdoor vault toilet.
Due to antiquated septic and water systems, guests are STRONGLY ENCOUAGED to use the outdoor vault toilet verses the indoor toilet for solid waste. There is NO WORKING SHOWER OR HOT WATER.
Natural Features
The complex sits in Colton Hollow, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Aspens and pines surround the site, offering nice shade. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is known not only for its beautiful red cliffs, but also for its world-class fishing for lake, brown and rainbow trout. Boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and scuba diving are popular activities on the reservoir, which can be accessed within 30 miles.
The Ashley-Karst National Geologic Recreation Area offers dramatic canyons, densely forested backcountry areas, and vast networks of caves.
1 monitored siteNo hookups1 shadedPets OKMax party 4
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 than a mile, reaching an intersection (Forest roads 028 and 019). Turn left, continuing south on Forest Road 019. Continue approximately 1.75 miles, where the road turns sharply to the right (west). Follow the hairpin turn down into a ravine to Colton Guard Station.
355 N Vernal Ave, Vernal, UT 840784357891811
BackpackingBikingCampingCross Country SkiingHikingHuntingPhotographyPicnickingScenic DriveSkiingSleddingSnowmobileSnowshoeingStar GazingWildlife ViewingWinter Sports
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-234316 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-234316 · Colton Guard Station · Vernal UT8 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Colton Guard Station?
Reservations for Colton Guard Station are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 131 of 154 tracked site-nights are open (85.1%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 13 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Colton Guard Station?
Campsite Sniper detected 13 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Colton Guard Station?
3 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Oct 12 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Colton Guard Station?
December 2026, with 31 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Colton Guard Station?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sat, Sep 19 and the next open weekend starts Sat, Sep 19. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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