Thompson Guard Station
4.328 reviews415 S. FRONT STREET, TOWNSEND, MT, 59644, USA
Thompson Guard Station
$50.00 - $50.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
A $50 recreation use fee applies to cabin rentals during peak season dates (April 1 - December 15, 2025). Additional fees such as reservation, cancellation, and modifications may apply.
About this campground
Nestled deep in Montana's Big Belt Mountains, Thompson Guard Station beckons adventurers to step back in time. This 1954 rustic cabin once sheltered forest rangers and engineering crews who carved roads through wilderness and protected these ancient forests. Today, it welcomes up to 8 guests seeking an authentic mountain retreat. Inside, you'll find the simple comforts that sustained generations of forest workers: sturdy bunk beds for restful nights, propane stoves for hearty meals, and basic amenities that encourage you to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's rhythms.
Thompson Guard Station offers a unique experience with cabin lodging in a remote setting.
Historical SignificanceThompson Guard Station stands as a testament to Montana's rich forestry heritage. When construction crews raised its walls in 1954, they may have been building upon an even older legacy—local lore suggests this site once housed a bustling Civilian Conservation Corps cookhouse, where young men of the Great Depression era fueled up before heading out to build the trails and roads we still use today. In later years, the station provided crucial shelter for the road maintenance crews who kept mountain passes open, ensuring vital connections between remote communities.
Weather and SeasonsThe Big Belt Mountains showcase nature's dramatic seasonal transformations. Winter arrives with a fierce beauty, blanketing the landscape in snow while winds howl through the peaks and temperatures plunge into bone-chilling territory. As spring melts into summer, the mountains reveal their gentler side. From early June onward, visitors discover why this season captures hearts: crystal-clear skies stretch endlessly overhead, temperatures settle into that perfect mountain comfort zone, and the dry air carries the scent of sun-warmed pine. These are the months when the guard station truly shines as a basecamp for adventure.
ElevationHigh in the Montana mountains, where the air grows thin and views stretch for miles.
Natural Features and SceneryStep outside Thompson Guard Station and find yourself in a landscape that seems painted by nature's finest artist. Emerald meadows ripple like green seas around the cabin, giving way to towering stands of conifers that whisper ancient secrets. This subalpine wonderland weaves together rushing streams, hidden rivers, and sun-dappled forests into a tapestry of wild beauty. Keep your eyes peeled—elk graze in dawn's first light, mule deer bound through twilight shadows, and overhead, raptors circle on mountain thermals. For the lucky and observant, this ecosystem occasionally reveals its more secretive residents: the determined badger emerging at dusk or the phantom silhouette of a mountain lion padding silently through the trees.
Geological RegionThe Big Belt Mountain Range rises from Helena National Forest like nature's own fortress, a geological masterpiece millions of years in the making. This diverse landscape unfolds in layers of wonder: fertile valley bottoms give rise to dense evergreen forests, which climb toward alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers. Above treeline, barren ridges scrape the sky, their exposed rock faces telling stories of ancient seas and tectonic forces. Throughout this vertical world, a network of streams, rivers, and pristine mountain lakes creates a living watershed that has sustained both wildlife and humans for countless generations.
Campsite details
AccessibilityGuests must access the cabin by snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobile during winter due to road closures. Accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities is not explicitly mentioned.
Sites SizeThe cabin accommodates up to 8 individuals.
Sites PrivacyThe cabin sits in a grassy open clearing backed by mixed conifer forest. User reviews highlight its secluded and quiet setting.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesRecommended for those seeking solitude and rustic experiences.
Best CampsitesOnly one campsite, the Thompson Guard Station cabin.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out is by 11:00 AM.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Accommodates up to 8 guests.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutGrassy clearing with an outhouse, corral, picnic table, and campfire ring.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen: April 1, 2025 - December 15, 2025; Reservable from June 21, 2025.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.
Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up or first-come-first-served availability indicated.
Cancellation PolicyIf canceled 14 days or fewer before check-in, the first night's fee is forfeited, and a $10 cancellation fee applies. Late cancellations subtract additional fees. Changes to reservations incur a $10 change fee if dates are entirely outside the original reservation.
Accomodation available
Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Thompson Guard Station offers a variety of activities in its surrounding area. Official descriptions emphasize opportunities such as fishing at nearby lakes, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter sports like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Hiking
Multi-use trails and roads in the area provide hiking opportunities. Nearby attractions include Gipsy Lake (1 mile south), Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake, and Edith Lake.Fishing
Fishing is available at Gipsy Lake, located 1 mile south of the cabin. Guests can fish for rainbow trout, and the lake supports non-motorized boating.Biking
Mountain biking is possible on multi-use trails in the area.Boating
Non-motorized boating is supported at Gipsy Lake.Wildlife viewing
The area is rich in wildlife, including elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and birds. Badgers, wolverines, mountain lions, and lynx inhabit the region but are rarely seen. Canyon Ferry Lake also offers impressive bald eagle viewing.Winter Activities
Winter activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports such as canoeing and kayaking are available at nearby Gipsy Lake.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Keep fires confined to the campfire ring.
- Quiet hours are not specified.
Hazards
General hazardsWildlife such as bears and mountain lions may pose a risk. Winter access can be challenging due to snow.
Active alertsNo firewood provided from June 1 to August 31.
Weather forecast
76
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 20%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 7.3 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
The closest emergency services are likely in White Sulphur Springs, but specific details on hospitals or ranger stations are not provided.
Good to know
Peak season datesApril 1, 2025 - December 15, 2025.
Trash and recyclingGuests must pack out all trash and food. Trash and recycling facilities are not provided.
Proximity to water featuresGipsy Lake is 1 mile south, offering fishing and boating opportunities. Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake, and Edith Lake are within 3 miles.
Common complaintsReviews highlight road accessibility issues and occasional cleanliness problems left by prior guests.
HostNo specific host details provided.
Campground Map
415 S. FRONT STREET, TOWNSEND, MT, 59644, USA
Driving directionsFrom White Sulphur Springs, travel west on Highway 360 for 1.6 miles. At this point, make a sharp curve to the right off the highway. There is a Forest Service sign at this junction that reads: Gipsy Lake 14, Townsend 44. Go straight onto the gravel road for 6.5 miles. At 6.5 miles, the gravel road forks at the entrance to a ranch. Stay to the right. As you drive the next 7.5 miles to the Forest boundary, the road will become more primitive. Within a quarter of a mile of the Forest boundary, a sign for Thompson Station will direct you to the right onto Forest Road #383. Take Forest Road #383 for 0.6 miles to a sign that will direct you to the left, and to a gate to the station. Access to the cabin during the summer months is good and can be reached by driving through White Sulphur Springs or from the west over Duck Creek Pass.
Summer access is good, but the road becomes primitive after approximately 7.5 miles. Winter access requires snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles and is closed within 8 miles of the cabin.Nearby places
White Sulphur Springs (17 miles)
Nearby supplies
White Sulphur Springs (17 miles) for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.
Camper Reviews
4.3
8 reviews
Thompson Guard Station is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the cabin's rustic charm, secluded location, and opportunities to disconnect. Positive aspects include the incredible starry night views and opportunities for relaxing and outdoor recreation. However, some users complained about the road condition and instances of poor cleanliness left by previous guests.
Review Summaries
Based on 8 reviews
What Campers Love
Reviews emphasize the cabin's warm and dry nature, great location in the Big Belt Mountains, and opportunities to unplug and reconnect with nature. 'Warm, dry cabin in a great setting.'
Based on 8 reviewsCommon Concerns
Some user complaints included poorly maintained roads and issues with cleanliness: 'The road sucks and needs attention.' 'When I walked into this cabin it was a disaster spaghetti sauce was all over...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Users recommend bringing supplies to clean and prepare for the rustic setting. One review advises, 'Make sure to clean the cabin upon departure.' Another suggests bringing backup lighting due to lack...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Winter reviews highlight the cabin as a warm shelter during snowy weather, while summer reviews focus on outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking.
Based on 8 reviewsCamper Quotes
- 'You will see stars like never before. You'll experience a little slice of the past.' - 'Great place to relax, road sucks and needs attention.' - 'This is a great little cabin and beautiful...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site-specific feedback points out issues with cabin cleanliness and notes campsite 01 in loop AREA THOMPSON GUARD STATION as problematic: 'Spaghetti sauce was all over everything.'
Based on 8 reviewsAccessibility Features
Accessibility concerns are not explicitly raised in reviews, but the winter-only access methods may pose difficulties for individuals with mobility challenges.
Based on 8 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pet policies were not mentioned in authoritative or user-provided reviews.
Based on 8 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025