Magruder Rangers House
Closed — Closed for the season due to snow on the access road. The Magruder Corridor Road typically opens mid-June to late October, depending on snowpack and weather conditions. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
R1-2024-01 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.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
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, and South Dakota.
Northern and Intermountain Regions Salmon Wild and Scenic River: Occupancy and Use
This order enacts visitor use restrictions for activities within the 80-mile-long wild segment of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River corridor, including a one-quarter mile buffer from the river, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Manag
Northern and Intermountain Regions Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
This order implements visitor use requirements for activities within the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).
Bitterroot National Forest Food Storage Order
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-bear interactions.
Annual Mill Creek Area Climbing Closure
The Stevensville Ranger District is reminding everyone of the annual climbing closure in the Mill Creek area to allow for nesting of cliff-dwelling raptors.
Trapping prohibited within 150' of groomed cross country ski trails
Pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited as described below, within the Darby Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest.
Bass Creek Recreation Area
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited within the Bass Creek Recreation of the Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued December 29 at 11:23AM PST until January 1 at 12:00PM PST by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Stagnation conditions will trap pollutants, leading to deteriorating air quality. * WHERE...Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region, Orofino/Grangeville Region, Southern Clearwater Mountains, and Northern Clearwater Mountains. * WHEN...Until noon PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Periods of air stagnation can lead to the build up of pollutants near the surface.
About
Magruder Rangers House is one of seven historic buildings at the Magruder Ranger Station, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1920s and 1930s. The two-story, five-room log house was once the residence of the District Ranger and his family and is now available for overnight rental while still being used periodically by Forest Service trail crews and wilderness rangers. The cabin sits on the Selway River between the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness at approximately 4,000 feet elevation. The rental accommodates 6-10 people with two bedrooms (one with two single beds, one with two double beds), plus two futons in the living room. The house features a wood furnace for heat, propane kitchen appliances and lighting (propane provided), and during summer/fall months offers hot and cold running water, indoor bathroom with flush toilet and shower. Firewood is provided. The Selway River and nearby mountain streams offer excellent trout fishing for rainbow, steelhead, cutthroat, and bullhead trout, plus mountain whitefish. The 11-mile Swet Creek Trail and other wilderness trails provide access for hiking and horseback riding. Wildlife in the area includes mountain lions, grey wolves, coyotes, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer, and black bears. The adjacent Magruder Road Corridor, built in the 1930s, remains largely unchanged and offers a unique backcountry driving experience.
Directions
From Darby, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 for 4 miles to West Fork Road/Highway 473. Continue approximately 14 miles to Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road 468 and go another 34 miles on the one-lane gravel and partially paved road. Just before Deep Creek meets the Selway River, turn south at a stone bridge crossing the creek and continue 0.5 mile to the cabin. High-clearance vehicles advised. Roads not plowed in winter. From Elk City, Idaho, the road is generally not passable until mid to late July.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 821-3269 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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