Some Forest Service cabins in Utah may open to the public

Outdoors • Goal is to generate revenue and preserve historical structures.
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Eleven cabins previously used only by U. S. Forest Service officials may be open to the public as part of a new cabin rental program being offered by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

"The majority of them have kind of fallen into disuse and that was part of the impetus for this program," said Charles Rosier, the recreation/cabin rental program coordinator for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. "We are not utilizing the cabins, but we want to preserve them. This is a good way to generate revenue to keep the buildings maintained and also provide a recreational opportunity for the public."

A majority of the cabins — some constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) — are already on the National Register of Historic Places list and others are eligible for listing.

The cabins, ranging from Logan Canyon to Mirror Lake in the Uinta Mountains to the Nebo Loop, are being renovated with the idea to open them up for public rental as early as late summer 2014.

Rosier said other forests across Utah and the country have already started renting out cabins.

Fees for the cabins will be presented to citizen's advisory committee meetings. The first yet-to-be-scheduled meeting will be held in January and the last meeting will be in the fall of 2014. The public is encouraged to attend and share their thoughts.

Fees collected from the rentals will be used for operation, maintenance and enhancements of the properties.

Here's the list and proposed fees for each of the 11 cabins.

Logan Ranger District

Card Guard Station: The cabin would be available June 1-Oct. 15 at $125 per night. The cabin is approximately seven miles up Logan Canyon and is adjacent to the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway (U.S. 89). The cabin can accommodate up to 10 people and has running water, flush toilet, shower, electricity and modern appliances.

Tony Grove Ranger Station: The cabin would be available year-round at $85 per night. The cabin is approximately 20 miles up Logan Canyon and is adjacent to the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway (Hwy 89). The cabin can accommodate up to four people and has a pit toilet, running water (summer only), propane heat, and extra space for camping.

Blacksmith Fork Guard Station: The cabin would be available year-round at $75 per night. The cabin is adjacent to the Left Hand Fork of Blacksmith Fork River, a Blue Ribbon Fishery, and less than one mile from Friendship and Spring Campgrounds and Richards Hollow Trailhead. The cabin can accommodate up to six people and has a vault toilet, wood stove, and propane lights/appliances. A horse corral is adjacent to the cabin along with RV space.

Ogden Ranger District

Monte Cristo Guard Station: The Monte Cristo Cabin would be available year-round at $85 per night. This cabin is located adjacent to the Ogden River Scenic Byway, approximately 20 miles from Huntsville and Pineview Reservoir. The cabin can accommodate up to eight people and has running water (summer only), flush toilets, shower, and propane heat, lights, and appliances.

Salt Lake Ranger District

Rice Creek Field Station: The cabin would be available from June 1-Sept. 30 at $100 per night. The cabin is adjacent to the Farmington Canyon-Skyline Drive Scenic Backway. The cabin can accommodate up to 10 people and has running water, flush toilet, shower, propane cook stove, electric lights/appliances, and water heater. In addition to a fireplace it has a coal furnace.

Kamas Ranger District

Ledgefork Guard Station: The cabin would be available from June 1-Sept. 30 at $85 per night. The cabin is approximately one mile from Smith and Morehouse reservoir. The cabin can accommodate up to six people and has electricity to appliances provided by a generator, running water, flush toilets, shower, electric lights/appliances, and propane heat.

Mirror Lake Guard Station: The cabin would be available from July 1-Sept. 15 at $100 per night. This cabin is located at Mirror Lake and is approximately 32 miles from Kamas and 58 miles from Evanston, Wyo. The cabin can accommodate up to four people and has running water, shower, flush toilets, propane heat, propane lights/appliances, and paved road.

Heber Ranger District

Mill Hollow Guard Station: The cabin would be available from June 1-Sept. 30 at $100 per night. The cabin is near the Mill Hollow Campground and Reservoir. The cabin can accommodate up to eight people and has running water, shower, flush toilets, wood stove, and propane lights/appliances.

Current Creek Work Center Group Site: The cabin would be available from June 1-Oct. 15 at $200 per night. The cabin is adjacent to Current Creek Reservoir. This cabin is a duplex, but both sides will be rented together. There are also three trailer pads with hook-ups for additional RV parking on a first come-first served basis. The cabin can accommodate up to 20 people, 10 people in each side, and has running water, flush toilets, showers, propane heat, and modern appliances.

Spanish Fork Ranger District

Payson Lakes Guard Station: The cabin would be available from June 1-Sept. 30 at $125 per night. The cabin is approximately one mile from the Payson Lakes Recreation Area, and is along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway. The cabin can accommodate up to 10 people and has running water, flush toilet, shower, electric heat, and electric appliances. A horse corral is near the cabin.

Diamond Fork Guard Station: The cabin would be available year-round at $50 per night. The cabin is approximately four miles from the Three Forks Trailhead and has nearby opportunities for fishing. The cabin can accommodate up to eight people and has wood heat, vault toilet, and propane lights/appliances.

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