Forest Service Sign saying Hells Canyon Ranger Station
 Brown forest service cabin surrounded by green trees and rolling hills
Forest Service sign saying Hells Canyon Ranger Station
Folding Bunk beds inside of a log cabin
Brown cabin surrounded by green trees and rolling landscape

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

About Hells Canyon Guard Station

Hells Canyon Guard Station is a quaint log cabin located in the Highland Mountains of Montana's Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. It is most often used as a base camp by hunters and hikers. The area is replete with wildlife and provides access to scenic mountain views, as well as plentiful opportunities for recreation. It was originally built in 1906 and used as a line cabin for ranchers before being donated to the Forest Service in 1910. The Forest Service has used the cabin as a guard station and now offers it for public enjoyment. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle; however, during winter months, alternative resources may be required to reach the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Hunting

Hunting

Year-round

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

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

🏠 Cabin
  • 4 guests

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Surface: Gravel
View Site Details

Reviews

67 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Hells Canyon Guard Station is praised for its beautiful location and charm, making it one of the reviewers' favorite spots. However, several maintenance issues were noted, including broken windows, inadequate firewood, and cleanliness concerns such as a fly infestation. Despite these drawbacks, visitors express a strong desire to return, indicating a deep appreciation for the area's natural beauty.

Based on guest feedback

4.2

Overall rating

Based on 67 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 61.2% (41)
4 stars 14.9% (10)
3 stars 14.9% (10)
2 stars 3.0% (2)
1 star 6.0% (4)

Showing 67 reviews

Michelle M

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Beautiful views. Agree with past reviewer on the pros and cons. Long drive to get back there but really pretty! Not sure if we had a pack rat or just a lot of mice but sleeping was not so restful. Do not keep any food inside overnight, lock it in your car.
It is definitely a rustic experience. The water and toilet was really nice to have.

Helpful

Michelle M

Verified

October 10, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Beautiful views. Agree with past reviewer on the pros and cons. Long drive to get back there but really pretty! Not sure if we had a pack rat or just a lot of mice but sleeping was not so restful. Do not keep any food inside overnight, lock it in your car.
It is definitely a rustic experience. The water and toilet was really nice to have.

Helpful

Robert P

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Super views rivaling fire lookouts. Instead of looking down at the views you are looking up at them like at Table Mountain.

The good:
Best views from 10 cabins we rented on vacation.

Hour long drive from main road and not recommended for cars but beautiful scenes on the way and there.

Last Verizon cell 4G service about 6.6 mi from cabin. Text about 2.2 mi from cabin.

4 beds with 1 more in the loft plus floor space for sleeping bags. Ladders on walls to enter loft and upper beds downstairs.

Nice concrete floor for easy cleaning.

Hand pump for water even in cold months. Some say it is delicious but we tasted metal pipe.

Nice creek.

Warnock Hersey Baker's Choice wood cook stove with oven. Wood only goes in upper left!

Nice size porch with big table and 2 propane burner in locked cabinet.

Quartz crystals on trails.

Lots of wood.

Picnic bench.

A few games.

Very quiet as it is on a dead end road.

Nice vault pit toilet.

The bad:
Bring fly traps during warm months.

Needs new broom & there was no mop head, just a handle.

Need razor blade scraper to clean windows.

While we saw and heard no mice this was the dirtiest of all the cabins we visited. From mouse feces all over to not being cleaned by numerous previous renters to open food left in the cabinets. People PLEASE pack out your food and unwanted items. We hauled away so much junk it was ridiculous. 6 empty water containers? COME ON! If we were to get Hantavirus on this trip it was due to this location! We left the canned food but it is quite apparent there are regulars who rent quite often and leave stuff. PLEASE be considerate and a decent person. Take stuff home and clean.

We saw nobody by cabin but there is no gate to block people. Maybe park on bridge to block? Some reports of people stopping to use pit toilet. Don't leave your good toilet paper that you brought for strangers to use who did not pay to stay here.

We would rent again and you should too. Long rough drive but it is worth it.

Helpful

Robert P

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Super views rivaling fire lookouts. Instead of looking down at the views you are looking up at them like at Table Mountain.

The good:
Best views from 10 cabins we rented on vacation.

Hour long drive from main road and not recommended for cars but beautiful scenes on the way and there.

Last Verizon cell 4G service about 6.6 mi from cabin. Text about 2.2 mi from cabin.

4 beds with 1 more in the loft plus floor space for sleeping bags. Ladders on walls to enter loft and upper beds downstairs.

Nice concrete floor for easy cleaning.

Hand pump for water even in cold months. Some say it is delicious but we tasted metal pipe.

Nice creek.

Warnock Hersey Baker's Choice wood cook stove with oven. Wood only goes in upper left!

Nice size porch with big table and 2 propane burner in locked cabinet.

Quartz crystals on trails.

Lots of wood.

Picnic bench.

A few games.

Very quiet as it is on a dead end road.

Nice vault pit toilet.

The bad:
Bring fly traps during warm months.

Needs new broom & there was no mop head, just a handle.

Need razor blade scraper to clean windows.

While we saw and heard no mice this was the dirtiest of all the cabins we visited. From mouse feces all over to not being cleaned by numerous previous renters to open food left in the cabinets. People PLEASE pack out your food and unwanted items. We hauled away so much junk it was ridiculous. 6 empty water containers? COME ON! If we were to get Hantavirus on this trip it was due to this location! We left the canned food but it is quite apparent there are regulars who rent quite often and leave stuff. PLEASE be considerate and a decent person. Take stuff home and clean.

We saw nobody by cabin but there is no gate to block people. Maybe park on bridge to block? Some reports of people stopping to use pit toilet. Don't leave your good toilet paper that you brought for strangers to use who did not pay to stay here.

We would rent again and you should too. Long rough drive but it is worth it.

Helpful

Nicole K

Verified

June 28, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Talk about out there! I only saw 3 people in 5 days! The cabin has water, firewood, and a great propane stove so you can live like a king! Beautiful surroundings and some hiking as well! The nearby creek is great for staying cool!

Helpful

Nicole K

Verified

June 28, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Talk about out there! I only saw 3 people in 5 days! The cabin has water, firewood, and a great propane stove so you can live like a king! Beautiful surroundings and some hiking as well! The nearby creek is great for staying cool!

Helpful

Jennifer D

Verified

June 1, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HELLS CANYON GUARD STATION

Firewood was empty but we had a chainsaw so it all worked out and we left some for the next group if they need it! Love this place!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Hells Canyon Guard Station

1820 Meadowlark Ln, Butte, MT 59701 United States

Elevation: 1,994 ft

Getting There

From Whitehall, travel south on Highway 55 for about 20 mi. Turn right off the highway just before crossing the Jefferson River, onto Forest Service Road 125, and continue west about 14 mi on a dirt road. Winter access varies with snow conditions....

Nearest town

Butte, MT - 55 mi

About over 1 hr (100 min) to downtown

Highway access

Hells Canyon Guard Station is located approximately 20 miles south of Whitehall on Highway 55.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Butte, MT

Nearby city: Bozeman, MT

Approx. 67 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,722 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service