Eagle Guard Station

$25.00/night

415 S. FRONT STREET
TOWNSEND, MT 59644

Overview

Eagle Guard Station is located in high grasslands and surrounded by a scattered forest in the Elkhorn Mountains in west-central Montana.

The former Eagle Creek Ranger Station was built by miner Richard Owen in 1895. While his family lived there, the area was in a booming gold rush. In 1908, the cabin was taken over by the Forest Service for administrative use. It is the oldest administrative log structure on the Helena National Forest, predating the establishment of the Forest.

Today the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation. The cabin is accessible by car, but the last 4 miles are only open to foot, horseback and cross-country ski traffic from December 2nd through May 15th. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack in some of their own supplies and gear.

Recreation

Eagle Guard Station provides guests with outstanding opportunities for photography, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

The area offers centralized access to the Elkhorn Mountains with numerous hiking trails and roads leading to the Elkhorn's historical resources. Popular hikes include those to Crow Creek Falls and Poe Park. An interpretive trail is accessible just beyond the cabin.

When snow allows, skiing gives visitors an up-close look at concentrations of wintering elk.

Facilities

The entire site consists of the cabin, a woodshed, vault toilet, barn, horse corrals and a fire ring. The cabin can accommodate up to six people on three sets of bunk beds with mattresses. A wood stove provides heat and a propane camp stove can be used for cooking. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, dishes, propane lantern, utensils and cookware.

An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed.

There is no available potable water or electricity at this facility. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing, as well as one or two small propane canisters to use with the propane stove and lantern.

Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, flashlights, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests should clean the cabin before leaving.

No firewood provided from June 1st - August 31.

Natural Features

Eagle Guard Station is situated on the southeast flanks of the Elkhorn Mountains in a beautiful open grassland setting, an outstanding location for viewing elk.

Crow Creek Falls, the largest waterfall in Helena National Forest, is located within hiking distance of the cabin and is a sanctuary for many wildlife species, including the threatened Canada lynx, the sensitive goshawk and westslope cutthroat trout.

The area offers unique opportunities for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Bighorn sheep, mule and white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine and mountain lion find habitat here as well.

Nearby Attractions

Historic town sites and mining areas such as Elkhorn, Hassel, Ruddville and Diamond Hill mines are nearby for guests interested in the mining history of the Elkhorns.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Largest party: 6 people

Directions

All mileage is approximate from the highway. Road is native surface dirt, with ruts and rocky sections, higher clearance vehicles are a must, 4x4/AWD recommended, road is NOT for passenger cars. Directions to Eagle Guard Station from the intersection of highway 287 and Indian Creek Road (which is just north of the Missouri River Bridge, north of Townsend). Take the Indian Creek Road (traveling west) approximately 3.5 miles, you will pass a National Forest Access that says "Indian Creek", there will also be a sign on the left saying "Eagle Guard Station", take the left at this intersection. Stay on this road that travels through the canyon, for approximately 4.7 miles, you will come to a "Y" in the road, take the left which is the #4031 road. Stay on road 4031 for approximately 5 miles (you should pass a sign saying "Eagle Guard Station" with a straight arrow) until you come to a "T" intersection. There will be a sign that says "Radersburg/Crow Creek left" and "Eagle Guard Station right". Take a right for approziately .7 miles to the next intersection. Take the left and cabin is about .3 miles on the left. From December 2 through May 15, the last 4 miles are not open to motorized vehicles. Access to the cabin is by foot, ski, or horseback.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

33 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Janita V

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 2 months ago

Very peaceful! elk bugling! Cows in the yard of the cabin. but no problem. The hike to Crow Creek falls did not say how far. Long hike. Beautiful country

Kayla K

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 2 months ago

What a fun cabin! I loved that its at the end of a road, and "fenced" in makes it feel even more private. The beds were much comfier than other forest service beds ive slept in and the mice weren't too bad...did get into some food we had hanging the 2nd night, definitely use the string above the table(not just the nails, if u dont have room is sealable totes for the night). Gorgeous views! We rode our dirt bike/4 wheelers, had a fire, ate lots of yummy food and hiked to the falls. Definitely will be going there again!

Sandy A

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 3 months ago

Had a wonderful time, cabin and area around the cabin is a great place to spend time. Use the road that goes through Radersburg and not Indian Creek road especially if pulling 4 horse trailers.

Judy T

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 4 months ago

Even with almost constant rain we really enjoyed our stay at this cabin. Managed to hike on some of the trails that start near the cabin. We've already reserved the cabin for next month in the hopes that we can see the Crow Creek Falls which look amazing in the pics!

Gary B

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 5 months ago

This location is nice. There is vast amount of hillsides to scope wildlife. We had nice weather and hiked the nearby trails. There was only one other horse group during our stay. This is one of the best star gazing cabins we've stayed in. We were pleased with the road repairs, but know there are still some spots that are not great. The cabin was not clean upon arrival but you never know what kind of people use it prior to your stay. There are mice (more than a few). The site has plenty of room to set up tents, or use trailers with several horse corrals for use. The gophers have done some major excavating so step carefully. I would also recommend bringing plenty of water, cleaning supplies and toilet paper.

Carrie V

Loop:Area Eagle Guard Station

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Reviewed 5 months ago

This cabin was amazing, I will camp here again. The silence was amazing, I haven't slept that well in AGES. We did not get to go on any trails due to how hard it rained two of the days we were at the cabin, however, we played Uno inside with the wood stove going which was very enjoyable. Don't follow any map apps the last about two miles to the cabin, you will be told to drive into trees, or off the road, into tree tops. We did experience one mouse, but that was our fault for leaving food accessible the first night, no night visitor the second night of our stay. There is no cellphone service (honestly loved that part), so plan accordingly.

Availability

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

Reserve

Popularity: Busy

Busiest in November, when about 70% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 4 years of reservations.