Pine Valley Guard Station

Summary

Pine Valley Guard Station offers guests a chance to stay in a charming retreat near Pine Valley Recreation Area. With modern amenities such as electricity and an indoor kitchen, visitors can appreciate the peaceful mountain setting and explore fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing opportunities. Guests should prepare for a self-supported winter stay with necessary supplies and be prepared to hike 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the cabin during gate closures.

Overview

Pine Valley Guard Station is located in scenic Pine Valley Recreation Area, about 45 minutes from St. George, Utah. Built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the station was used to house a recreation guard during the summer months to assist the visiting public.

The cabin is open year-round and is accessible by vehicle during good road conditions. Winter use of the cabin may require snowshoeing, hiking or cross-country skiing about 1.5 miles from the trailhead at the entrance to the Pine Valley Recreation Area.

Many modern amenities are offered, including electricity. Guests only need to bring a few of their own supplies to have a truly comfortable stay in this charming retreat within the Dixie National Forest.

Recreation

The cabin is centrally located within the Pine Valley Recreation Area, in close proximity to fishing at Pine Valley Reservoir. This small, quiet reservoir
offers a scenic location to fish for rainbow trout.



Numerous non-motorized trails provide access into the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness.



The winter landscape provides opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Facilities

The cabin retains historic qualities of the original building, with the added feature of electricity. Six people can sleep comfortably on one futon and one set of double/twin bunk beds with mattresses. A wood burning stove is provided for heat, along with firewood. The kitchen is equipped with an electric range, refrigerator, lights, cookware, dishes and utensils. Indoor plumbing is available in the summer months, offering guests access to a shower and flush toilet. During winter months (Nov-Apr) guests should be prepared to hike, snowshoe, or cross country ski into the cabin roughly 1.5 miles with all of their items due to seasonal gate closures.



Guests can enjoy outdoor cooking on the campfire ring with grill. An outhouse is provided for year-round use. Water is only available during the summer months. Guests will need to bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing during the winter.



Guests should pack sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, matches, toilet paper, a first aid kit and garbage bags. All food and trash must be packed out, and guests are expected to use the provided cleaning supplies to clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The cabin is surrounded by ponderosa pine trees and offers scenic views of the Pine Valley Mountains. At an elevation of 6,800 feet, summer days are warm and nights are cool.

The nearby Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, described as a mountain island surrounded by desert, preserves numerous lush meadows and a beautiful forest of Engelmann spruce in the south, and spruce mixed with fir, pine and large stands of aspen in the north.

The Pine Valley Mountains rise through the entire center of the Pine Valley Wilderness, providing habitat for chipmunks, marmots, red squirrels, blue grouse and a large herd of deer in summer. Elevations rise to a high point at 10,365 feet on Signal Peak in the southern portion.