North Cottonwood Guard Station

This fixer upper on the forest that is little known, remote and hard to access. In the last 10 years it has been partially remodeled. The potential is unlimited, the work required is extensive, but it has good walls, roof and foundation. All the access trails were washed out last year making the trip in an adventure on Motorcycle and ATV, impassable for truck.

The following is part of the history published on the Manti-La Sal history "Sheep, Stations and Shacks":

"One of the earliest La Sal National Forest structures, the North Cottonwood Ranger Station was a two-room sandstone building constructed around 1912. An executive order issued on March 3, 1913, by President William H. Taft withdrew the site for administrative purposes. Historical records indicate that the USFS intended to utilize the site year round, while also developing a nursery. The USFS purportedly expended "considerable money" on a stone house, fencing, dams, ditches, and reseeding. By 1940, however, the station was described as "one of the most dilapidated areas on the forest."

The North Cottonwood Guard Station is my favorite spot to get away in the area.

Man Cave Ideas found on the National Forest nearby.

This is a range cabin found on the Elk Ridge. The cabin is authorized under a range allotment permit. If I could build a version of this in my basement/backyard without getting in trouble with my wife or the city I would. I may incorporate the cedar style siding into one of the walls of the mancave.


This is the Warner Guard Station. History: The Warner Guard station was built before 1935. It is a Region 4, Plan 7, two room dwelling with a Plan 24 garage to the north. It was used primarily as a summer station. Both structures are still standing. The guard station appears to be under renovation. The guard station is available for rent to the public by the Moab Ranger district during the summer season. The history of the forest can be found at the hyper-link. I like the simplicity of the interior and exterior.

This is the Mesa Guard Station, it was built before 1921. It was built as a guard station, downgraded to a guard cabin in the 1930's when the Warner Guard Station was completed and by the 1940's it had gone into a state of disrepair. The building consisted of three large rooms and a store room. It is still standing today, but is a couple of heavy snowfalls from becoming another pile of wood. I don't think that it would be repairable given the damage to the foundation. I do like the natural stonework around the foundation and want to incorporate the appearance of natural rock work into the decor. The site is still withdrawn as an Administrative area.


This is at the Mesa Guard Station, of note is the rock walk-way. I am thinking of using slate tile to mimic stone for the floor.