Bend Wc Cabin Rental
Open year-round except for one week in May reserved for administrative and educational use. Reservations required via Recreation.gov. Maximum stay is 5 nights per reservation. Winter access may require hiking or skiing the final mile when roads are unplowed.
Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/10/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls are Very Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Libby and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Malta and Missoula are Moderate. When air quality is Very Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
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.
About
The Bend Guard Station sits at a historic ranger station site in the remote Thompson River drainage of northwestern Montana's Lolo National Forest. The original 1911 log ranger cabin still stands on the property, though the rental unit is the combined bunkhouse and cookhouse building. This two-story cabin offers four bedrooms with bunk beds, two bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, and a large kitchen with two electric ranges, microwaves, refrigerators, and full cooking utensils. The surrounding Bend area provides access to hiking, fishing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and berry picking depending on season. A horse corral with frost-free water hydrant is available for equestrians. The location is extremely remote with no cell phone or landline service, so guests should plan accordingly and be aware of bear safety protocols. Access requires driving approximately 32 miles up Thompson River Road (County Road 556) from its junction with Montana Highway 200, five miles east of Thompson Falls. The road is low-standard gravel or dirt and often rough. Winter visitors should have high-clearance vehicles with tire chains and four-wheel drive, as roads are not regularly plowed and the final mile may require hiking or skiing.
Directions
From Thompson Falls, MT: Head east on Montana Highway 200 for approximately 5 miles, then turn north onto Thompson River Road (County Road 556). Follow this road for approximately 32 miles to the Bend Guard Station. The road is low-standard gravel or dirt and can be rough. High-clearance vehicles are recommended, and four-wheel drive with tire chains is required in winter.
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 | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 826-3821 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!