Magruder Rangers House, Darby, MT

Magruder Rangers House is located in the West Fork Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest (3 hrs southwest of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 4,074 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to mid October. There is a fee of $100.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.

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Campsite Reviews (14)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		64%
4 star		14%
3 star		14%
2 star		0%
1 star		7%

@KrisN3026B7C7F · Camped on Sep 22, 2024 at Campsite #1

It couldve been worse, weve stayed in some dumps over the years, but we will never go back or stay at another ranger cabin, ever.1. The most alarming thing, which we have never seen, ever; there was zero mention of in the property details or listing or in several callsthere is a hantavirus warning and information sign on the basement door. Im sorry but this shouldve been mentioned prior to or at least during one of the several times I talked to rangers and recreation.gov folks. 2. Its old and in decline. The whole place is sloping. There are spiders, mouse turds (tons in the basement and also in the two primary levels and on some of the mattresses), and it smelled like propane and mildew. Its dusty.3. There is no electricity, which we werent aware of.4. Pretty certain this was closed for renovation and we felt so lucky to get it booked last minute, but appears the renovations were a water heater and fridge. 5. Its wayyyy too expensive for what it was. $108 is ridiculous, especially when the guests have to clean when we get there and when we leave; there is no housekeeping. If this place were $20-50 a night our expectations and impressions wouldve been different.6. There is no heat other than an old wood fired furnace next to the rat trap in the hanta-rodent-ridden basement.On the upside, we havent developed hatanvirus symptoms yet because enough time hasnt passed. We also have the memory of staying in a 80 year old slightly sketchy cabin. And we got a hot shower and didnt have to sleep outside, although that wouldve been preferred if we hadnt showed up there at 11pm to what we have dumbed the Hanta Hotel. The toilet and bathroom counter was clean. The area is beautiful.

@JoelW8390980 · Camped on Sep 23, 2023 at Campsite #1

This is such a cool place and an awesome cabin. I stayed 2 nights with some teenagers and they werent bored for a single second. It was constant hiking, climbing, playing in the creek, stargazing, and howling at the moon!

@sharonR2694981 · Camped on Sep 20, 2023 at Campsite #1

This is a beautiful area, a world away from the norm that we all need to explore and make time for. It's quiet, removed from technology and TV--truly one of few areas that is an escape in every sense of the word. It allows time to think, unhindered and uninterrupted by nothing but the sounds of nature and an occasional visitor to the historical buildings around the cabin. Solitude and no sense of time demands, a great cabin with all the necessities to be comfortable---we need these places....

@AnnaE6355761 · Camped on Jul 4, 2022 at Campsite #1

This ranger house is so, so, so wonderful. The house itself is very comfortable, with propane stove, refrigerator, lights, heat, and hot water, as well as an indoor toilet. I spent most of my time on the porch overlooking the gorgeous meadow and watching the rain, listening to birds and hoping for a moose (only had a deer wander by). Comfortable beds and the house was clean. The cons: 1) the two trails that start from the property were not maintained and at least one was not passable. The other was very, very brushy. 2) a lot of people drive in to park and check out the ranger station nearby. It’s not exactly secluded. We had many visitors in cars, a gaggle of side by sides, and a pack string (horses and mules).

@JeremyD4325488 · Camped on Sep 21, 2021 at Campsite #1

Simple. Peaceful.

@ToniC9210874 · Camped on Sep 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

Wow! What a wonderful cabin with an amazing history. The location was magical. We came here on our honeymoon with another couple that are getting married this weekend. It was a special respite from our crazy, busy lives. We all live just outside of Darby, MT and were looking for a place close but far enough away that we couldn't be reached for anything business related. This has got to be the nicest, well-appointed forest service cabin we have ever rented. Places like this is what makes Montana so special. Thank you to the forest service, the volunteers and the firemen who all care for and protect this place...

@ToniC795 · Camped on Sep 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

@BarryF677 · Camped on Jul 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great location for exploring the Selway River and the wilderness. The cabin was well equipped and was even quite cool on very hot summer days. The drive to Paradise was great, and walking in to fish the Selway was a unique experience.

@BarryF6273954 · Camped on Jul 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

@JamesD3491200 · Camped on Sep 22, 2019 at Campsite #1

Classic Rangers cabin in a Classic Wilderness... wish I was still there

@JamesD822 · Camped on Sep 22, 2019 at Campsite #1

Classic Rangers cabin in a Classic Wilderness... wish I was still there

@jeremyd755 · Camped on Sep 15, 2019 at Campsite #1

Deeply remote and peaceful! Enjoyed rustic cabin and cutthroat trout fishing!

@WhitneyH718 · Camped on Sep 1, 2019 at Campsite #1

We have enjoyed coming to Magruder for years. This particular occasion, however, we realized how desperately the house needs a deep-cleaning. The dust was absolutely awful. Of course, the setting hasn’t changed. The pristine meadow and water beckons. The front porch is idyllic for taking it all in while sipping a beverage. We made a little campfire at days end and marveled at the closeness of the canyon. But at days end, it would be nice to lay down your head without having a sneezing attack. We did our part and cleaned up the kitchen and tidied the common area. But somebody needs to bring in a mop bucket, air out the upstairs and do a deep disinfection. At least this time, there were no bats inside...

@WhitneyH920424 · Camped on Sep 1, 2019 at Campsite #1

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