Thompson Guard Station
Open year-round with reservations via Recreation.gov. Summer road access typically opens mid-June. From approximately November through early June, the road is maintained only to within 8 miles of the cabin on the east side, requiring access by snowshoes, cross-country skis, snowmobile, or dog sled.
Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 13 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.
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
Thompson Guard Station is a historic Forest Service cabin nestled in a grassy clearing backed by mixed conifer forest in Montana's Big Belt Mountains. Originally built in 1954 for district rangers and possibly used earlier as a Civilian Conservation Corps cookhouse, the station now serves as a rustic getaway for visitors seeking solitude and recreation in west-central Montana. The two-room cabin is furnished with six single beds with mattresses, a Monarch cook stove, propane lanterns and stove, wood heating stove, table, chairs, and complete cookware and utensils. An outdoor vault toilet, picnic table, and campfire ring are provided, along with a fenced corral for horses. Guests must bring all drinking water, sleeping bags, linens, propane cylinders, and garbage bags, as no water, electricity, or indoor plumbing is available. Gipsy Lake is just 1 mile south and offers rainbow trout fishing and a launch for non-motorized boats. Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake, and Edith Lake are 3 miles beyond. Multi-use trails provide opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Winter visitors enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Wildlife including elk, mule deer, and occasionally mountain lion and lynx inhabit the surrounding area.
Directions
From White Sulphur Springs, travel west on Highway 360 for 1.6 miles. Make a sharp curve to the right off the highway at the Forest Service sign reading 'Gipsy Lake 14, Townsend 44.' Continue straight on the gravel road for 6.5 miles. At 6.5 miles, the road forks at a ranch entrance; stay right. Continue 7.5 miles to the Forest boundary. Within a quarter mile of the boundary, turn right onto Forest Road #383 at the Thompson Station sign. Take FR #383 for 0.6 miles to a sign directing you left to the cabin gate.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 266-3425 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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