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Palace Station Cabin

Open

Palace Station is a day-use historic site only. The cabin interior is closed to the public; visitors may view the exterior, grounds, and cemetery. No overnight camping or cabin rental is available at this location.

Prescott National Forest

Prescott National Forest Pile Burning through August

(Prescott, AZ, July 26, 2026) — Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to conduct prescribed pile burning in various locations in the Bradshaw Ranger District – pending favorable conditions. These hand piles are from recent hazardous fuels reduction and thinning projects. Ignitions…

Prescott National Forest

Prescott National Forest Lifts Restrictions

(Prescott, AZ, July 20, 2026) — The Prescott National Forest will lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the Emergency Recreational Shooting Order effective July 21, 2026, at 8 a.m. This decision follows careful monitoring of fuel moisture, weather patterns, fire activity, and other factors.The…

Prescott National Forest

Perkinsville Bridge Area Special Closure Order

The purpose this order is to protect public health and safety due to flash flood risk and sanitation issues and to protect natural resources from degradation.

About

Palace Station was built in 1874 by Alfred Spence in the Bradshaw Mountains as a vital stagecoach stop on the Senator Trail, located halfway between Prescott and the productive Peck Mine. The two-room structure with loft expanded in 1878 and served the Prescott & Phoenix Stage line, providing meals prepared by Mrs. Spence and watering for horses. The station operated until around 1910 when the Spence family abandoned it after failed attempts to sell the property. The U.S. Forest Service acquired Palace Station in 1963, and it remains a significant historic landmark. The cabin itself is closed to the public for interior access, but visitors can view the exterior and grounds. Adjacent to the cabin is a pioneer cemetery containing approximately fifteen graves, including that of Alfred Spence who died in 1908. During the 2022 Crooks Fire, which burned nearly 9,400 acres in the Prescott National Forest, firefighters wrapped the historic structure in heat-resistant foil and cleared surrounding vegetation to protect it. The cabin survived the fire. While there have been announcements about Palace Station potentially joining the Forest Service's "Rooms with a View" cabin rental program, it does not currently appear available for overnight reservations on Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Prescott, head south on Mount Vernon Avenue, which becomes Senator Highway (Forest Road 52). Continue approximately 17 miles south. The drive takes about one hour due to winding mountain road conditions. Two-wheel drive vehicles can manage in dry conditions, but four-wheel drive high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Roadside parking is available.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed
Toilets No
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (928) 777-2200

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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