Bighorn National Forest

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. The cabin is made out of peeled logs with saddle corner notching.

There are 3 rooms, a kitchen, and two bedrooms; one bedroom has two bunk bed sets and the other has a double bed. The kitchen has an electric cooking stove and lights, a small refrigerator, and a grey water sink. There is no running water or flush toilets. The only heat is from a wood stove. Bring your own bedding.

The Muddy Guard Cabin rents for $40 per night and is available year-round. There is a seven-day maximum stay limit. This is a non-smoking facility.

Access

The Muddy Guard Cabin is accessed from Buffalo, Wyoming by taking Wyoming State Highway 16 west from Buffalo 24.5 miles. Turn left on to Forest Service road #473 and travel 1/8 mile east to the cabin.

Winter directions when Forest Service road #473 is not maintained: From Buffalo, Wyoming take Wyoming State Highway 16 west 24.3 miles to the Crazy Woman Canyon road #33 plowed Winter Parking Area. Then hike, ski, snowshoe or snowmobile cross country for 200 yards due south to the cabin.

Attractions & Considerations

• There is no potable water at the cabin; renters must bring their own water.
• The only heat in the cabin is by wood stove. Fall and winter renters should bring wood with them to the cabin, just in case the last renters used all the firewood.
• There is a corral and hitching post by the cabin for horses.
• A picnic table and fire ring is located by the cabin.
• This is no house keeper, so all renters are to clean the cabin before they leave. Green cleaning supplies are located in the kitchen and closet of the master bedroom. Renters need to unplug the refrigerator and leave its door open when leaving the cabin.
• There is no indoor plumbing; there is a rustic outhouse near the cabin.
• The cabin sleeps six people.
• The cabin is locked, so renters must stop at the Powder River Ranger District Office, Monday through Friday from 8 to 4:30, to pick-up the key and a condition report. There is a key drop box at the cabin.
• The cabin is available year-round; however, rentals are limited to seven consecutive days.

What renters need to bring:
• Water
• Bedding
• Cooking and eating utensils (the nearest grocery store is in Buffalo 25 miles)
• Trash bags – Pack it in and out. No trash service at the cabin.
• Matches
• First-aid kit
• Firewood

Provided at the cabin:
• Beds (two twin bunk bed sets, and one double bed)
• Kitchen table with chairs
• Dresser drawer
• Wood stove (bring firewood just in case there is none on site) Instructions for the woodstove are posted.
• Electric cooking stove and lights
• Carbon monoxide alarm, fire alarms, and fire extinguisher
• Sofa and chairs
• Cleaning supplies
• Snow shovel