Bull River Guard Station
Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. Road is normally plowed within 1 mile of the cabin during winter; full vehicle access depends on weather conditions. Five consecutive night stay limit with a 7-day break required before rebooking.
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.
Ross Creek Cedars Road Closure & Storm Damage Update
The Ross Creek Cedars sustained significant damage during the December 2025 flood events. Heavy rains, flooding, landslide, and debris flows that occurred in December 2025 created unstable conditions along NFS Road #398. Significant erosion undercut sections of the road, limiting access to foot and…
Rexford Bench Boat Launch Closure
Progress continues on the Rexford Bench boat launch upgrade, replacing the existing asphalt with concrete. Construction operations are expected to continue into mid-May, so a closure order will remain in place for the boat launch and lower parking area for public and worker safety. The Peck Gulch…
Big Creek Closure-Peregrine Falcon Nesting Area
A closure order is in now effect for the Big Creek Area on the Rexford Ranger District, which is a known area for peregrine falcon nesting. Peregrine falcons are particularly sensitive to disturbance and activity above their nest or rock climbing in its vicinity. Disturbance during the nesting…
Timberlane Campground Closure
A closure order is now in effect for the Timberlane Campground on the Libby Ranger District, while it undergoes much-needed improvements. The purpose of this order is for public safety during reconstruction and improvement operations in the campgroundAs you start making your summer plans and…
Libby Spring Road Closures
Spring road closures are now in effect on certain Libby Ranger District roads. All motorized vehicles over 10,000 GVW are prohibited from using or being operated on the designated roads. The purpose of this restriction is to prevent damage to road surface and base due to thawing action or excess…
Spar Lake Road #384 Road Closed to Motorized Vehicles
A closure order is now in effect for motorized vehicles on the Three Rivers Ranger District for Forest Service Road #384 (Spar Lake). The closure is to provide for public safety until crews make appropriate repairs to road damage caused by the December 2025 flood event. The road is closed starting…
Upper Young Creek Road #7202 Closure
A closure order is now in effect on the Rexford Ranger District for Forest Service Road #7202 (Upper Young Creek Road). The closure is to provide for public safety due to a washout making the road impassable. The road is currently closed at milepost 3.5 to 3.6, just north of its junction with NFS…
Flood Events & Safety Reminders
Over the past week, portions of the Kootenai National Forest have experienced heavy amounts of rainfall due to an atmospheric river moving through the area. The rapid increase in rainfall on top of snow in the higher elevations has resulted in localized flooding and increased the risk of…
Kootenai Flood Event & Inaccessible Areas
Portions of the Kootenai National Forest have recently experienced heavy amounts of rainfall due to an atmospheric river moving through the area. The rapid increase in rainfall on top of snow in the higher elevations has resulted in localized flooding and increased the risk of landslides, debris…
About
The Bull River Guard Station, built in 1908, served as both the ranger's house and office during its tenure as a primary ranger station from 1908 to 1920. This historic structure survived the legendary 1910 fires that swept through the area and was home to Granville "Granny" Gordon (District Ranger), his wife, and three daughters. The cabin spans 700 square feet across two stories and is furnished with period furniture, including three full beds and two single beds with mattresses, accommodating up to 8 guests. The space includes a sitting room with chairs and a kitchen/dining room with hutch, table, chairs, and an electric range. Heating is provided by a forced air electric furnace. Located in the Cabinet Mountain Range near the East Fork of the Bull River within Kootenai National Forest, the guard station sits minutes from the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness area. The area is home to diverse wildlife including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pika, golden eagles, beavers, and western tanagers. Fall foliage displays stunning colors with mountain maple, mountain ash, alder, and larch. Nearby recreation includes fishing the 24.7-mile Bull River for westslope cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and large scale suckers, as well as hiking the Pilick Ridge Trail and Berray Mountain Trail, both leading to lookouts with impressive Cabinet Mountains views. The historic Berray Mountain Lookout tower, built in the 1930s, is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.
Directions
From US Highway 2 (to the north) or State Highway 200 (to the south), travel on State Highway 56 to the East Fork Bull River Road #407 at approximately the 8 mile marker. Take Road #407 for about 1.5 miles and turn right on Road #2701. The cabin is approximately 0.5 miles past the junction of #407 and #2701. Directional signs are present.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 827-3533 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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