Eagle Guard Station, Townsend, MT

Eagle Guard Station is located in the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 16 min southeast of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 5,805 feet. The site is open all year. There is a fee of $45.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (26)

4.1 out of 5

5 star		58%
4 star		19%
3 star		8%
2 star		4%
1 star		12%

@BretR1A5FAB25E · Camped on Aug 7, 2024 at Campsite #1

Great spot. Fairly clean. Lots of fun

@JessicaH685289 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #1

The cabin was perfect! The road to get to it was pretty rough, and driving something with good clearance is fairly important. The outhouse had just been redone and was super clean. We brought all the camping equipment we would need, but the cabin did have an assortment of items available too (skillets, a few roasting sticks, some seasonings, and lots of other random stuff). There was also an a cot in addition to the 6 bunk beds. The top bunks do not have railings, and there are no ladders to get up to them. We did see one black bear about a mile from the cabin, so bring your bear spray for hikes. Overall, its a great place to have a fun family weekend!

@LizM9240496 · Camped on Apr 29, 2024 at Campsite #1

Quite mouse infested. Nice structure and view, but lots of mouse poop, and they really got into our food!

@DavidC2858387 · Camped on Jan 27, 2024 at Campsite #1

Great cabin and location. Big stash of high quality firewood; the stove gets the place hot after an hour or so. I rode a fat bike in, which made for enjoyable if challenging riding. For folks coming in during the winter; driving in to around the FS boundary is reliable, as the road isn't steep and is plowed most of the way. Beyond that ruts and ice are often an issue, I wouldn't go up that final switchback to the gate without 4x4 and chains.

@DevonaT06454BA · Camped on Aug 13, 2023 at Campsite #1

Long story short. I planned a 10 night stay at this cabin. From Aug 13th-23rd.It is 14.2 miles from the road to the cabin. 9 miles in, after driving on perfectly graveled roads, the road gets BAD. We were driving a 2013 gmc acadia FWD hauling a 4x8 trailer.HUGE pot holes, HUGE LONG crevasses in the road due to rain wash out, large rocks... our car BARELY made it to the cabin. Our check engine light came on, the car was overheating, stalling, chugging... it was bad. We stayed 2 nights and had to leave because we didn't want to be stuck just at the cabin. We planned on seeing yellowstone too but unfortunately our car is still messed up and stalling (8-27-23). We ended up getting a full refund for our stay but that doesn't make up for the memories my kids should have had!We live in michigan and traveled over 1,700 miles with no problems until the last 5 miles to get to the cabin.The ranger I spoke with told me visitors try to drive their sedans to the cabin. DONT DO IT!Now onto the actual cabin review.It was breathtaking! Knowing we practically got the mountain to ourselves was such an amazing thought. Our kids did enjoy the 2 days we did get to stay there.You cannot beat the view or the stars at night. I plan on going back if I have a 4 wheeler or 4wd lifted truck I can drive lol. Seriously though, the road was the only thing that ruined our stay and had us stressed out.The government needs to update the description and add that it is not accessible by regular car or FWD.

@KelseyA6448636 · Camped on Dec 31, 2022 at Campsite #1

Such a fun weekend! A great getaway, into the wilderness. Fun snowshoe in, and a cozy time playing games. We will be back!

@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Sep 24, 2022 at Campsite #1

The good: Nice 3 room cabin. The far left room is locked and separate from the rest of the cabin for use the the USFS. The center room is the kitchen and dining area. An interior doorway connects you to the far right room which is the bedroom. All 3 rooms have their own outside entry and steps. Mostly easy drive weather permitting in a car. There are a couple of areas that a car may get stuck. Make sure to bring some bags of lava rock or similar so you can place those closed bags in the gullies to get through. Road gets rough for cars about 3.4 miles from cabin. Two burner camping propane stove provided but you need to bring standard camping propane canisters. 2 camping propane lights are also provided. A wood heater is in the kitchen. Nice dining table with 4 backed chairs. Curtains on windows except behind the wood heater. There are 3 bunk beds so 6 beds are available with thick mattresses. Nice ADA vault pit toilet. A few games and puzzles. Great view. Like that the top of the door was padded between the bedroom and kitchen in case you hit your head. Fire pit. Lots of wood. Locked gate for privacy. Horse corral provided with water container. Nice sink area with counter that drains outside although no water is supplied. Creek a short distance away but not recommended for drinking. The bad: Lots of expired canned food left in pantry. You may get stuck in a car when driving there via the Townsend Ranger District instructions. If you do not have good clothing and sleeping bags in winter you will most likely end up bringing the mattresses into the kitchen to sleep on the floor.

@RebeckaM215682 · Camped on Jul 13, 2022 at Campsite #1

Unbelievably beautiful setting, lovely restored log cabin. Superficially clean (floor swept etc) but cupboards desperately need a deep clean … ie, mouse half eaten years old bags of dog food, greasy grimey old cans, etc). I picked up carpet to try and shake out the dirt and was covered literally in years of accumulated dirt. Only light and only stove depend on propane canisters that were almost out.

@KristenJ348585 · Camped on May 27, 2022 at Campsite #1

Love this cabin and it's location! The views from the cabin are breathtaking and the restoration done on this cabin was amazing. Unfortunately, people have not taken care of it - screens were pulled off of the window and trash was left in the fire ring. I wish renters would take care of what a wonderful cabin this is. Thank you to the F/S for keeping this program going.

@KarenW6722333 · Camped on Feb 25, 2022 at Campsite #1

This is a fantastic quiet winter experience! We did snowshoeing 4 miles into the cabin on a seasonally closed forest service road. Heard some wolves on the second night. Beautiful interior and stove warms it up well.

@DanielleN74688 · Camped on Jan 7, 2022 at Campsite #1

We had a wonderful time. Cute cabin with lots of cozy touches.

@CARENC2625198 · Camped on Oct 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

The shovel and broom need to be replaced. the top bunk is really high with a log 3' above your head. None of the bunks have ladders and it is really hard to get up and down. The views and hiking are spectacular. There was chopped wood and the wood stove is really good.

@CARENC712 · Camped on Oct 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

@SueF579 · Camped on Jun 22, 2021 at Campsite #1

Fell victim to FS false advertising. It’s an ATV trail to the cabin. We chose not to beat the mess out of our 4 wheel drive truck about halfway in. Weren’t prepared to hike in. Feel like I’m owed a refund on my 2 night reservation since I was duped.

@SueF3377821 · Camped on Jun 22, 2021 at Campsite #1

@LauraF3344985 · Camped on Jun 13, 2021 at Campsite #1

Biggest dislike…the road! Second dislike…there was no shade during the heat of the day. Therefore, on a 100 degree day, you’re stuck inside the cabin if your plan was to relax there and not go on an adventure.

@LauraF588 · Camped on Jun 13, 2021 at Campsite #1

@JennyT398 · Camped on Apr 23, 2021 at Campsite #1

This is a remote getaway that delivers on the promise of a cozy rustic cabin making you feel like you stepped back in time to the early 1900s. The views are serene, the cabin is sturdy and stays plenty warm heated by the wood stove. The bunk mattresses were comfy and there was room for my husband and I and two children (ages 12 & 10) to relax and enjoy games and telling stories & jokes. There is no running water or electricity so pack a small green propane tank, and/or camp stove, flashlights, lanterns and/or lantern supplies (the cabin has some lanterns there). Since so much relies on your fire, bring some fire starter to make life easy. The vaulted toilet there is very similar to those you see at campgrounds-maybe slightly nicer. There is also shed for firewood and a nice outdoor fire pit area. We hiked in on foot from the base of the road before the parking lot because we drive a minivan that couldn’t handle wet muddy/snowy roads. The hike was on a forest service road and was not easy with lots of hills and about 4-6 miles one way, but was so rewarding to end at the sturdy and welcoming Eagle Guard Station Cabin. Bring some propane with you & other essentials you need. The cabin is pretty well stocked with dishes, cooking gear, s’more cooking tools, axes, saws, even some books, puzzles, cards, & Scrabble. There is a creek to haul water from a short distance away that you pass over one the last climb toward the cabin. We filtered the water with a backpacking filtration system and everyone handled that fine. There were many mouse traps throughout the cabin and I noticed some mouse droppings, but we didn’t see any mice. The cabin was clean and in good condition on our arrival. The toilet could use a scrub, but we cleaned it a bit using what we had. We tried to leave it as clean as we could for the next folks and even built a little shelf for the table using some scrap wood from the yard. We look forward to visiting Eagle Guard Station again!

@JennyT9435641 · Camped on Apr 23, 2021 at Campsite #1

@CaseyL294 · Camped on Mar 12, 2021 at Campsite #1

Been here twice during the winter in the past two years, and every time it is a quiet respite from the world.

@AlexD783 · Camped on Feb 27, 2021 at Campsite #1

What a fantastic time! Beautiful views and got some exercise skiing in! Cabin was in great condition and clean. Road conditions to the gate closure were very difficult due to the snow. Drove a CRV and made it, but would've liked to have a higher clearance vehicle. Ski in was about 3.5 miles from the gate closure, all downhill on the way there, about 500 ft change of elevation, but felt like a lot more on xc skis. Would recommend bringing fuel and mantles for the lantern and/or stove.

@AnnaleeM190 · Camped on Feb 19, 2021 at Campsite #1

After a gnarly drive up the forest service road (chains and high clearance required on feb 19th) and breaking trail in 8-12” of snow for 4 miles, we were so grateful to see the cabin just as the sun set. It was well stocked with wood, pots & pans, and cards. The guards for the lanterns there were broken so we used our headlamps for light. Both padlocks to the woodshed and the cabin itself had been broken or frozen open. The cabin was clean and well stocked and perfect for a night of rest. It took us 3.5 hrs to ski in, mostly downhill, breaking trail and about 2 hours to ski out, mostly uphill, on the trail we had broken on the way in. I don’t know that I’d want to do this again in the depths of winter but am glad we did. Looking forward to booking it again in warmer weather!

@NicholasP241 · Camped on Nov 13, 2020 at Campsite #1

This was a fantastic late fall getaway. With only a few inches of snow on the ground, we were able to easily make the drive all the way to the cabin. Gorgeous views, interesting historical features, and plenty of wildlife tracks, though we did not end up seeing any of the animals that left them. You win some you lose some. The cabin was stocked with all the cookware and plates we needed, and plenty of firewood to keep us warm. Will definitely return for another stay!

@MelissaH214 · Camped on Oct 18, 2020 at Campsite #1

The cabin was wonderful, lots of cut wood to keep us warm. We want just as the first snow storms of the season came in, it was amazing! The driving directions were not the best and the road was much longer, and rougher then planned. But, we made it.

@DanielS117 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

If you’re looking for a really unique place to get away this is it. The cabin was clean and ready to go with everything you need for cooking and fire. Absolutely remote and beautiful views. Can’t wait to come back.

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