Magruder Rangers House

I have had the good fortune to have stayed at Magruder 8-9 times over the past 15 years or so.....always good to get "off the map".
This time there was a new frig and stove installed....the frig had lights and the stove had an ignitor.....nice touch!!
As always, there was fishing and hiking to be done!! Great time.

We grew up in that house during the summers when our father worked for the ranger station.

The shower didn’t work but we were informed that before we went.
Excellent as always.

It could’ve been worse, we’ve stayed in some dumps over the years, but we will never go back or stay at another ranger cabin, ever.

1. The most alarming thing, which we have never seen, ever; there was zero mention of in the property details or listing or in several calls…there is a hantavirus warning and information sign on the basement door. I’m sorry but this should’ve been mentioned prior to or at least during one of the several times I talked to rangers and recreation.gov folks.
2. It’s old and in decline. The whole place is sloping. There are spiders, mouse turds (tons in the basement and also in the two primary levels and on some of the mattresses), and it smelled like propane and mildew. It’s dusty.
3. There is no electricity, which we weren’t aware of.
4. Pretty certain this was closed for “renovation” and we felt so lucky to get it booked last minute, but appears the “renovations” were a water heater and fridge.
5. It’s wayyyy too expensive for what it was. $108 is ridiculous, especially when the guests have to clean when we get there and when we leave; there is no housekeeping. If this place were $20-50 a night our expectations and impressions would’ve been different.
6. There is no heat other than an old wood fired furnace next to the rat trap in the hanta-rodent-ridden basement.

On the upside, we haven’t developed hatanvirus symptoms yet because enough time hasn’t passed. We also have the memory of staying in a 80 year old slightly sketchy cabin. And we got a hot shower and didn’t have to sleep outside, although that would’ve been preferred if we hadn’t showed up there at 11pm to what we have dumbed the “Hanta Hotel.” The toilet and bathroom counter was clean. The area is beautiful.

This is such a cool place and an awesome cabin. I stayed 2 nights with some teenagers and they weren’t bored for a single second. It was constant hiking, climbing, playing in the creek, stargazing, and howling at the moon!

This is a beautiful area, a world away from the norm that we all need to explore and make time for. It's quiet, removed from technology and TV--truly one of few areas that is an escape in every sense of the word. It allows time to think, unhindered and uninterrupted by nothing but the sounds of nature and an occasional visitor to the historical buildings around the cabin. Solitude and no sense of time demands, a great cabin with all the necessities to be comfortable---we need these places....

This ranger house is so, so, so wonderful. The house itself is very comfortable, with propane stove, refrigerator, lights, heat, and hot water, as well as an indoor toilet. I spent most of my time on the porch overlooking the gorgeous meadow and watching the rain, listening to birds and hoping for a moose (only had a deer wander by). Comfortable beds and the house was clean. The cons: 1) the two trails that start from the property were not maintained and at least one was not passable. The other was very, very brushy. 2) a lot of people drive in to park and check out the ranger station nearby. It’s not exactly secluded. We had many visitors in cars, a gaggle of side by sides, and a pack string (horses and mules).

Simple. Peaceful.

Wow! What a wonderful cabin with an amazing history. The location was magical. We came here on our honeymoon with another couple that are getting married this weekend. It was a special respite from our crazy, busy lives. We all live just outside of Darby, MT and were looking for a place close but far enough away that we couldn't be reached for anything business related. This has got to be the nicest, well-appointed forest service cabin we have ever rented. Places like this is what makes Montana so special. Thank you to the forest service, the volunteers and the firemen who all care for and protect this place...

Great location for exploring the Selway River and the wilderness. The cabin was well equipped and was even quite cool on very hot summer days. The drive to Paradise was great, and walking in to fish the Selway was a unique experience.

Deeply remote and peaceful! Enjoyed rustic cabin and cutthroat trout fishing!