Bend Guard Station
Open year-round with reservations required via Recreation.gov, except for one week in May reserved for administrative use. Maximum stay is 5 nights per reservation. Check-in at 2:00 PM, checkout at 11:00 AM.
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathead…
Savenac Area Closed for Public Safety (May 23, 2026 through June 21, 2026)
What’s closed: Savenac Tree Nursery Area ClosedWhere: Savenac Tree Nursery When: May 23 through June 21, 2026Why: Hazardous conditions; closure protects public safetyPlan ahead: Check below for the closure order and map; questions? Call (406) 822‑4233 (Superior RD)
Seeley Lake Campground C Loop Road Closure for Public Safety (May 22, 2026- June 25, 2026)
What’s closed: Seeley Lake Campground C Loop Road Where: Lolo National Forest, Seeley Lake Ranger District, MontanaWhen: May 22, 2026 – June 25, 2026 (unless lifted sooner)Why: Hazardous conditions; closure protects public safetyPlan ahead: Check below for the closure order and map; questions?…
Cabin City Campground Area, Roads & Trail Closed for Public Safety (May 11, 2026–May 1, 2027)
Cabin City Campground and Roads 9117, 9117-A, 9117-B and Trail 703 are closed for public safety May 11, 2026–May 1, 2027.
West Fork Dry Creek Road and Trails 274 and 572 Closure
Road and trail access in the West Fork Dry Creek area is closed through Nov. 30, 2026, due to hazardous blowdown. Only authorized personnel and exempt landowners may enter.
East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District
Due to recent weather, East Fork Big Creek Road (Forest Service Road 428) is closed from milepost 1.35 junction with 16046 (lodgepole) to milepost 1.85 seasonal gate closure turnaround. This closure is for public health and safety due to hazardous conditions resulting from flood and wind damage…
Forest, Regional and Other Regulations
Welcome to the Lolo National Forest As a visitor to the national forests, you must follow certain rules to protect the forest and natural environment, and to ensure your health and safety.Forest and Regional RegulationsAll bear attractants, including any type of food and garbage, must be stored in…
Deer Creek Road & Snowmobile Trail Closed on Superior Ranger District
Deer Creek Road #236 and Deer Creek Loop Snowmobile Trail (SNO-70.1) on the Superior Ranger District are closed due to flood and wind damage to the road, bridge crossing, and trail.
Ward Creek Road Closure- Superior Ranger District
Due to the recent weather event a portion of the Ward Creek Road is closed. For your health and safety please avoid travel in this area.
About
The Bend Guard Station offers a unique lodging experience in a historic Forest Service site within Lolo National Forest. The rental is the combined bunkhouse and cookhouse building, originally constructed in 1923 to house Forest Service work crews and rangers. The two-story cabin features four bedrooms with bunk beds and mattresses, two bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, and a large kitchen equipped with two electric stoves, two microwaves, two refrigerators, and running hot and cold water. The cabin sits in an open meadow surrounded by evergreen forest at 3,200 feet elevation. The Thompson River is a short walk away, offering fishing for trout and mountain whitefish. The area provides year-round recreation including hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and berry picking in season. The surrounding 2 million-acre forest is home to mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, bears, eagles, and trumpeter swans. Access requires navigating 32 miles of low-standard gravel and dirt roads from Highway 200. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and winter visitors may need to hike, ski, or snowmobile the final mile when roads are not plowed. There is no cell phone service at the cabin.
Directions
Located approximately 32 miles up Thompson River Road (County Road 556) from its junction with Montana Highway 200, five miles east of Thompson Falls. Can also be accessed from US Highway 2 by turning south on Thompson River Road between McGregor Lake and Lower Thompson Lake, approximately 40 miles west of Kalispell. Roads are low-standard gravel or dirt and often rough. High-clearance vehicle with tire chains recommended; four-wheel drive highly recommended. Winter access may require hiking, skiing, or snowmobiling the final mile.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $90 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 826-3821 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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