La Barge Guard Station

Summary

La Barge Guard Station is an historic cabin located in Bridger-Teton National Forest, 87 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming. It's a popular destination for outdoor recreation, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and snowmobiling. The two-room cabin provides basic amenities and is surrounded by lush pine forests and vibrant wildflowers in summer. Year-round visitors can expect to see abundant wildlife, including moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes.

Overview

Historic La Barge Guard Station is located 87 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming in the Hams Fork Area of Bridger-Teton National Forest. The cabin is situated in beautiful La Barge Meadow, among vibrant summer wildflowers at the base of pine-covered Commissary Ridge.

Constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the rustic cabin welcomes guests for sightseeing, hiking, fishing and more. Pets and horses are allowed at the cabin.

Recreation

Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular summer activities in the surrounding area. The Wagner Pass Trail begins behind the cabin, offering scenic hiking as it follows the Lander Cutoff Historical Trail. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing can be done right out the front door in winter.

La Barge Creek offers pleasant trout fishing opportunities.

Facilities

The guard station is a basic, 1930s style CCC cabin with two rooms. It sleeps six people on three bunkbeds with mattresses. The cabin is available year-round. The cabin is equipped with a propane oven, refrigerator, lights and a wood stove. Water is not guaranteed and if water is on, indoor plumbing is still not available. A vault toilet is located behind the cabin. Some dishes, pots, pans and utensils are provided, but the presence of these items is not guaranteed.

No electricity, linens or bedding are provided. In winter, no drinking water is available, so guests should bring plenty for drinking and cooking. Recommended items to bring include dish soap, dish towels, toilet paper, garbage bags and a flashlight. If firewood is on site, this is a courtesy but is not guarenteed. If available, please use only what you need. Always be prepared to collect wood locally or bring to site from local resources.

Natural Features

The cabin sits near La Barge Creek in a grassy meadow at about 8,500 feet in elevation. Pine trees dot the land around the cabin and cover the surrounding hillsides.

Moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes are among the wildlife likely to be seen. An abundance of wildflowers color the landscape in summer.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states.