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Eldridge Guard Station

Overview

Eldridge Guard Station is a primitive, rustic, log structure open year-round for recreational enjoyment. It provides access to several trails for summer hiking and biking, and winter skiing and snowmobiling. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle in warmer weather, but snow conditions may require a two mile trek on skis, snowshoes, or by snowmobile.

Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and they must bring several of their own amenities. During the spring and fall, guests are encouraged to call the Hebgen Lake Ranger District at (406) 823-6961 for road conditions and access to the cabin.

Recreation

The area surrounding Eldridge Guard Station offers many recreational opportunities, both motorized and non-motorized. In the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the nearby trails, riding 50” (or narrower) motorized vehicles on the motorized trails, stream fishing, or bird/wildlife watching. In the winter, visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country or back-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Please note: Fall hunting season brings big game hunters to this area (September 1-December 1).

Facilities

Eldridge Guard Station sleeps 6, with a maximum group size of 8 people for overnight use. 7-night maximum stay per group.

This is a primitive cabin with limited seasonal access - There is no electricity or potable water available (water from nearby creek or snow in winter can be filtered for use). An outhouse is located outside, behind the cabin. A corral is available for stock. A wood stove is available for heat, and a propane gas stove for cooking. There is also a small propane powered refrigerator in the cabin. (Please carefully read the instructions for the propane stove and refrigerator!) The cabin is stocked with basic amenities: axe, shovel, bucket, 2 cots, 2 full-size futons with mattresses, table and chairs, and minimal cookware. A large stock pot is available for boiling water. It is strongly advised that renters bring their own backcountry cookware and dishes for use. Renters should also bring their own firewood, drinking water, flashlight/lantern, bedding, matches, extra toilet paper, garbage bags, dish soap, and other necessities.

Please note: This rustic, uninsulated, high ceiling cabin can be very cold in winter, even with the wood stove burning. Firewood is not provided until Oct 1 (Oct 1 - May 31) – please bring or gather your own firewood from June 1 - Sep 30. When firewood is provided, it is is the woodshed near the cabin. There is additional firewood stored in the tack shed a little further from the cabin (lock combo same as cabin).

Please be sure to clean the cabin and remove all trash prior to your departure!

Natural Features

Eldridge Guard Station is situated between the Madison Mountain Range and the Gallatin Mountain Range at an elevation of 7,030 feet. The cabin is at the edge of a meadow with Taylor Creek running across from the cabin. Eldridge Guard Station is located in high-population grizzly bear habitat. The area is also home to deer, elk, moose, and other wildlife. Please respect the wildlife and always keep a safe distance. Carry bear spray, and always securely store food and other attractants (March 1-December 1).

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (406) 823-6961.

Nearby Attractions

Eldridge Guard Station is within an hour’s drive south to West Yellowstone, Montana, home of the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. It is also close to Hebgen and Earthquake lakes, as well as the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

Eldridge Guard Station is also within an hour’s drive north to Big Sky, Montana.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

Please note: warm weather access doesn't start until May when snow has melted out. Summer Access: From West Yellowstone, Montana, proceed north on Highway 191 for approximately 33.5 miles. Turn left on Taylor Fork Road/Forest Service Road 134 and proceed for approximately 6.5 miles. The cabin will be on the left side of the road. Parking is in front of the cabin. Winter Access: From West Yellowstone, Montana, proceed north on Highway 191 for approximately 33.5 miles. Turn left on Taylor Fork Road/Forest Service Road 134 and proceed for approximately 4 miles to the small, privately plowed parking area at the Albino Lake Trailhead. From here, it is a 2-mile ski along the road to the cabin (on the left side of the road). Please note: plowed driving access to the parking area at the Albino Lake Trailhead is not guaranteed. Parking for the cabin is not allowed past the trailhead - Do Not block private property. Nearby snowmobile trail grooming occurs from approximately December 15 – March 31, depending on snow conditions. View trail grooming reports at destinationyellowstone.com/reports. Please note: Trails may be impassible due to weather conditions. During the spring and fall, guests are encouraged to call the Hebgen Lake Ranger District (406-823-6961) for road conditions and access to the cabin.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

Ratings (12)

5 stars

4 stars

Bree H

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 2 days ago

This was a very nice location! We brought our 4 kids here for my birthday. There were plenty of beds and cots so all 6 of us could comfortably stay inside with our dogs. It was left in wonderful condition and we left it as such. This was our first ever Recreation.gov reservation. Fire pit and bathroom very close and accessible. Water across the street. Quite busy and a lot of traffic, but a wonderful stay for our whole family!!

Steve C

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 18 days ago

Very clean cabin. Next to river in front of property. Road to cabin well maintained.

Ellie H

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 2 months ago

So peaceful and cozy, great for a group or just going solo. Will definitely be back!!

Clayton R

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 5 months ago

Absolutely stunning location with a gorgeous back drop. Was able to drive all the way in February. This was likely only due to our unseasonable lack of snowfall this season. One note would be dress warmer than you think necessary. The cabin has cathedral ceilings, and the wood burning stove does not fully heat everything up in the winter. With that said, sleep in the loft.

Sharon H

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 10 months ago

The location was beautiful, the building was perfectly appointed. The refrigerator was a huge plus, we didn’t mess with the oven. Playing cards by lanterns was fun at the table. Morning coffee walk was so nice next to stream.

Ken W. B

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed a year ago

Wonderful cabin - great location

Ken W. B

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed a year ago

We loved this cabin! The location is great. It was clean and had nice features, including a propane refrigerator that worked.

Michael J

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed a year ago

Beautiful cabin, close to excellent trout fishing. Cabin was much more roomy than thought it would be, very clean and well furnished. Definitely will stay again.

Steve A

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 2 years ago

One of the nicest rental cabins we've been to. Heavy curtains help keep it from being drafty at night, and the big windows keep it from feeling gloomy in the daytime. Beautiful location. Skiing up the road was superb.

Kay B

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 3 years ago

This cabin is beautiful! It's super clean, has working windows and curtains, and is generally a lot brighter and cleaner than other forest service cabins I've seen. It's right on the Taylor Fork road on the river - which was frozen, of course- and has incredible views out the front door. Can't wait to go back in the summer! Two notes that might be helpful 1. The oven part of the range does not work, as far as we could tell. The stovetop works great. 2. The wood stove didn't appear to be working at first; smoke was billowing out into the cabin. But once we got larger logs lit, and we pushed them to the back of the stove, the flue seemed to engage and started to suck the smoke in. It worked beautifully after that. However, after 7+ hours of burning wood consistently, the cabin was still around 55 degrees. It was winter, but the temps were mild for Montana- 25 during the day and around 0 at night. 55 was comfy enough, but definitely dress warmly and don't expect to be walking around in a tshirt. We've stayed in other cabins that get truly boiling hot, and this was not one of them.

Rod L

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 3 years ago

Well worth the investment - had a great time and was surprised how clean and ready for guests the cabin was!

April C

Site:ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION

Reviewed 3 years ago

Great cabin in beautiful area. I wish the cabin would have had a sink to make cooking and cleaning easier. The gas stove and refrigerator were a nice bonus. Everything was clean from the previous guests. There were no clear directions that I found to the cabin and what I did see was incorrect so we spent some time driving around looking for it. Its about 6.2 miles on the Taylor Fork road from hwy 191 if anyone needs to know.

Popularity

Very busy · 90%

Busiest in July, when about 90% of sites are booked. Based on 1 years of reservations.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve Watch

Location

Hebgen Lake Ranger DistrictPO BOX 520
West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Phone: 45.0698611, 111.3123056

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