Muddy Guard Cabin - Bighorn National Forest

The Muddy Guard cabin was built in the late 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps for the use of the Forest Service as a guard station. It is constructed of peeled logs with saddle corner notching.

The cabin is available for rent year-round. It is located approximately 24.5 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Hwy 16, then 1/8 mile east on Forest Road 473. In the winter, travel 24.3 miles west of Buffalo, park in the plowed area at the beginning of Forest road 33 (Crazy Woman Canyon Road). Ski, snowshoe, or hike 200 yards south to the cabin.

The cabin has no running water and no indoor plumbing except for a gray water sink. It does have electricity, lights, refrigerator, cook stove, wood stove for heat (instructions are posted), beds to sleep 6 (2 sets of bunk beds and one double bed), dresser, sofa and chairs, and kitchen table and chairs.

Fire alarms, extinguisher, and carbon monoxide detectors are in the cabin.

Visitors must bring their own bedding, water, cooking and eating utensils, trash bags, matches, first aid kit, etc. There is a picnic table and fire ring outside. Plan to bring or gather wood, some is provided but is often used up before it can be replaced.

The area around Muddy Guard is fenced, so renters can bring horses and ride from the cabin to the surrounding forest lands. There is a corral and hitching post.

There is no housekeeper, so all renters are asked to clean up after themselves before they leave. Green cleaning supplies are located in the kitchen and closet of the master bedroom.

Reservations are required and can be made at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Reservations may be made as far ahead as 120 days, but no closer than 7 days. 7 consecutive nights is the maximum length of stay.