Julie F
VerifiedMay 27, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
Beautiful place! We’ll be back
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About Cub River Guard Station
Cub River Guard Station was established in 1907, and the first cabin was built in 1909 about a mile from the current site. This cabin was short-lived, and a second structure was built in 1922 and used until 1934. A third structure occupied this area after that until it burned down in 1957. The current cabin was built 2 years later.
The cabin is open year-round and can be accessed by car in warmer months. Guests must snowmobile to the cabin on groomed trails in the winter. Many modern conveniences are provided at the guard station, but some are seasonal and not guaranteed, so guests should be prepared to bring much of their own equipment and supplies.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 16 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
On Site Services
- Basketball Court
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001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
🏠
Cabin
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- 75 guests
Site Details
Up to 75 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Reviews
51 reviews
Summary
Cub River Guard Station offers a beautiful and rustic setting, perfect for both gatherings and solitude, with comfortable accommodations and plenty of outdoor activities like fishing. Guests appreciate the relaxing riverside atmosphere and the overall fun experience. However, some have noted issues with maintenance, such as the lack of hot water and firewood availability, but many express a desire to return.
Based on guest feedback
4.3
Overall rating
Based on 51 reviews
5 stars
52.9% (27)
4 stars
27.5% (14)
3 stars
13.7% (7)
2 stars
5.9% (3)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 51 reviews
Verified Only
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Josh T
VerifiedMarch 15, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
Great place to stay.
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Josh T
VerifiedMarch 15, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
Great place to stay.
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Lane C
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
A good time as always. Plenty of wood (bring your own splitting maul), and more snow than expected but the shovel was the and in good condition. I like this station and will continue to visit, but continue to be disappointed with basics, such as only a couple working propane lights. I've learned to bring my own mantles but forgot this time. I'm also used to cleaning up other people's mess, sweeping the place always yeilds far more debris than we bring in; no change this trip. Leave it better than you found it! The new bunkhouse is a nice 3 season addition, but a simple heat source would be great for an upgraded winter experience.
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Lane C
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
A good time as always. Plenty of wood (bring your own splitting maul), and more snow than expected but the shovel was the and in good condition. I like this station and will continue to visit, but continue to be disappointed with basics, such as only a couple working propane lights. I've learned to bring my own mantles but forgot this time. I'm also used to cleaning up other people's mess, sweeping the place always yeilds far more debris than we bring in; no change this trip. Leave it better than you found it! The new bunkhouse is a nice 3 season addition, but a simple heat source would be great for an upgraded winter experience.
Helpful
Julie F
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
We had a fabulous time! Even though the grounds got flooded out, we made the best of it! No control on Mother Nature! We have always had a fabulous experience! Thank you!
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Julie F
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
We had a fabulous time! Even though the grounds got flooded out, we made the best of it! No control on Mother Nature! We have always had a fabulous experience! Thank you!
Helpful
Abbey M
VerifiedFebruary 14, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
We went during the end of October, and there was little snow. The road was paved the whole way, which made it easy to get to, and it was a very large guard station! I can see this being great for large groups during the summer with the basketball court, grills, and volleyball net. It was pretty cold, and we could not get the propane heater working, so we set our beds up next to the wood burning stove all night, which kept us pretty toasty.
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Abbey M
VerifiedFebruary 14, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
We went during the end of October, and there was little snow. The road was paved the whole way, which made it easy to get to, and it was a very large guard station! I can see this being great for large groups during the summer with the basketball court, grills, and volleyball net. It was pretty cold, and we could not get the propane heater working, so we set our beds up next to the wood burning stove all night, which kept us pretty toasty.
Helpful
Joel J
VerifiedJanuary 28, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CUB RIVER GUARD STATION
We took a group of teenagers snow showing and had a nights stay at the cabin. We had a great experience.
The front room stays warm with the wood stove and wood provided. We couldn’t get the propane heater to work.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Cub River Guard Station
322 N. 4th St., Montpelier, ID 83254 United States
Elevation: 1,663 ft
Getting There
From Preston, Idaho, head approximately 3 mi south on U.S. Highway 91. Turn east on Cub River Road/Forest Road 406. Proceed about 10 mi to the guard station. This road is heavily traveled throughout the summer with other recreationists, so please ...
From Preston, Idaho, head approximately 3 mi south on U.S. Highway 91. Turn east on Cub River Road/Forest Road 406. Proceed about 10 mi to the guard station. This road is heavily traveled throughout the summer with other recreationists, so please travel slowly and use caution.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Call the district office four days before arrival to confirm the security combination.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Accessibility
- Check snow conditions with the Montpelier Ranger District Office before reserving from November to June.
Utilities
- Water availability is limited; bring drinking water outside of June 1 to September 15.
Vehicles & parking
- Wheeled vehicles are prohibited on groomed trails from December 15 to April 15; use snowmobiles for winter access.
Amenities
- A basketball court with a cement pad is available on-site.
- A covered 20x20 dining pavilion is available on-site.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood may be provided, but it needs to be chopped.
- Obtain firewood near your destination and burn it on-site to prevent pest spread.
Safety & rules
- Leave the cabin clean for the next guest.
- All waste must be packed out; no trash disposal on site.
Local regulations
- ATVs require a state license and registration for use on all roads in Franklin County, including Cub River Road.
General
- Click here for more information about Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Pets
- Pets are not allowed inside the guard station; they must be leashed outside and waste cleaned up.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: November 2, 2026
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Explore Montpelier, ID
Population: 2,694
Nearby city: Logan, UT
Approx. 29 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 5,981 ft
Montpelier, ID
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service