This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
U.S. Forest Service lands are dotted with guard stations, many historic, that were used at one time for use by early rangers and their families.
To an increasing degree, many of these beautiful historic buildings are being restored and rented out to private parties.
That happened recently at the historic Payson Lakes Guard Station, which is now available for rental as part of the Forest Service's national cabin rental program.
The facility, located on the Mount Nebo National Scenic Byway about 13 miles south of Payson, can accommodate eight people overnight for $100 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. It can be reserved at http://www.recreation.gov.
The historic cabin is adjacent to Payson Lakes, a popular day-use area. A fenced horse pasture is included with the cabin rental for access to nearby equestrian trails.
According to Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest spokesperson Kathy Pollock, the guard station's availability for public use marks the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The Payson Lakes Guard Station was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 as part of the New Deal program. Early Forest Service guard stations were typically spaced a "day's ride by horseback" from each other.
In an effort to maintain these historic structures, the Forest Service is rehabilitating several guard stations to be available through the National Recreation Reservation Service. Restoration work is being done on the nearby Diamond Fork Guard Station, which will be available for public use in the near future.