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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 , i ndoor 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. ADA Access: N
From Kemmerer, WY, follow US-189 north to the junction of La Barge Road, just south of the town of La Barge. Turn left on La Barge Road and travel 25 miles (the first 11 miles of this road are paved) to the forest boundary. Continue following La Barge Road/Forest Road 10138 for 14 more miles to the Tri Basin Divide/Forest Road 10072 junction and turn left. Drive 1/2-mile and turn left. La Barge Guard Station is at the end of the road.
From Afton, WY, follow US-89 south 14.5 miles to the Smith's Fork Road/Forest Road 10072 junction. Turn left at the junction and follow Smith's Fork Road for about 22 miles to the La Barge Guard Station road. Turn right. La Barge Guard Station is at the end of the road.
Winter access is by snowmobile only on a 22-mile trail.
This place has fantastic views, according to one of the friendly locals that frequents the area during winter, it has the best views of any of the guard stations in the area. The fishing, at least when I went in late July 2018, was no good. The river had been dammed up and the fish were poisoned and had yet to recover. During my stay the mosquitoes and flies were absolutely awful, but it was worth it for the scenery.(thank God for Off)
If you want some still great scenery and good fishing I would advise going to Scaler Guard Station. This will be at the cost of running water but the cabin itself is far nicer and it is much more remote with no cars going by. Also unlike La Barge the mosquitoes and flies were long gone.
If you have any questions about the place let me know on here and Ill answer them as best as I can.
We will be going back to the cabin next month for our 4th time. It's a nice little cabin placed in one of the most lovely places on earth. We usually visit late in the season, after the water has been turned off. This makes dish washing and clean up more of a challenge (but water in the nearby streamlet is clear and cold) and you must take the short walk to the outside privy, which is kept in good order. There is good parking and room for family activities. The propane furnace is a godsend in cold weather.
We have made this a yearly destination when we need some time away. Lovely valley we enjoy visiting at the beginning of fall. Usually delighted with birds, chipmunks, and have enjoyed the company of moose, the queens and kings of the willow bottoms.
