About Swan Guard Station
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Power Service
Water Hookup
Kitchen
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Power Service
- Water Hookup
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Cabin Interior
- Kitchen
- Heating
001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
- 8 guests
- Pet Friendly
Site Details
Reviews (211)
What Guests Are Saying
The cabin at Swan Guard Station received positive feedback for being clean, cozy, and well-equipped, with enjoyable amenities like a fire pit and good heating. Guests appreciated the peaceful views and proximity to nature trails, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Some minor issues were noted, such as a fly problem and a difficult front door lock, but overall, visitors expressed a desire to return for future stays.
What Guests Are Saying
The cabin at Swan Guard Station received positive feedback for being clean, cozy, and well-equipped, with enjoyable amenities like a fire pit and good heating. Guests appreciated the peaceful views and proximity to nature trails, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Some minor issues were noted, such as a fly problem and a difficult front door lock, but overall, visitors expressed a desire to return for future stays.
Review Summary
SYLVIA O
VerifiedMarch 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Fun, historic cabin with basic but comfortable amenities. Bond Creek trail in spring was good for hiking on packed snow. This is a great opportunity for an easily accessible cabin!
SYLVIA O
VerifiedMarch 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Fun, historic cabin with basic but comfortable amenities. Bond Creek trail in spring was good for hiking on packed snow. This is a great opportunity for an easily accessible cabin!
SYLVIA O
VerifiedMarch 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Fun, historic cabin with basic but comfortable amenities. Bond Creek trail in spring was good for hiking on packed snow. This is a great opportunity for an easily accessible cabin!
Leslie D
VerifiedApril 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
This is our second time staying in this cabin and once again, we were impressed with how well stocked the kitchen is. We missed the ambiance of the old wood stove but the propane heater did such a good job keeping the place warm that we didn't even need to use the space heaters upstairs. It made clean up a lot faster too! The bookshelf is well stocked with games, puzzles, books, and magazines for a variety of interests and age levels. The bird watching was fantastic too. The sandhill cranes made all sorts of noise throughout our stay but we also saw a bald eagle, turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, mallards, and more.
We didn't see any signs of bear which was lucky as previous guests are using what I assume is a metal garbage bin outside for fire pit ashes for garbage that could attract bears. Previous guests noted in the green book that there were some problems with the kitchen sink so we cautiously used it and just dumped a little water at a time from our wash basin just in case. By doing that, we didn't have any problems. Hopefully future guests will find the same.
Leslie D
VerifiedApril 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
This is our second time staying in this cabin and once again, we were impressed with how well stocked the kitchen is. We missed the ambiance of the old wood stove but the propane heater did such a good job keeping the place warm that we didn't even need to use the space heaters upstairs. It made clean up a lot faster too! The bookshelf is well stocked with games, puzzles, books, and magazines for a variety of interests and age levels. The bird watching was fantastic too. The sandhill cranes made all sorts of noise throughout our stay but we also saw a bald eagle, turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, mallards, and more.
We didn't see any signs of bear which was lucky as previous guests are using what I assume is a metal garbage bin outside for fire pit ashes for garbage that could attract bears. Previous guests noted in the green book that there were some problems with the kitchen sink so we cautiously used it and just dumped a little water at a time from our wash basin just in case. By doing that, we didn't have any problems. Hopefully future guests will find the same.
Leslie D
VerifiedApril 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
This is our second time staying in this cabin and once again, we were impressed with how well stocked the kitchen is. We missed the ambiance of the old wood stove but the propane heater did such a good job keeping the place warm that we didn't even need to use the space heaters upstairs. It made clean up a lot faster too! The bookshelf is well stocked with games, puzzles, books, and magazines for a variety of interests and age levels. The bird watching was fantastic too. The sandhill cranes made all sorts of noise throughout our stay but we also saw a bald eagle, turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, mallards, and more.
We didn't see any signs of bear which was lucky as previous guests are using what I assume is a metal garbage bin outside for fire pit ashes for garbage that could attract bears. Previous guests noted in the green book that there were some problems with the kitchen sink so we cautiously used it and just dumped a little water at a time from our wash basin just in case. By doing that, we didn't have any problems. Hopefully future guests will find the same.
Deanna M
VerifiedApril 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Clean, homey, beautiful waterfowl!
Deanna M
VerifiedApril 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Clean, homey, beautiful waterfowl!
Deanna M
VerifiedApril 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Clean, homey, beautiful waterfowl!
Elisabeth K
VerifiedMay 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION
Spacious, well-kept cabin that's positively luxurious by Forest Service cabin standards. Everything we needed was stocked (TP, cleaning supplies, etc). And it's great for small kids because it's so easy to get to, there's no wood stove heating, and there are lots of games and toys.
Location & Directions for Swan Guard Station
, Swan Lake, MT 59911 United States
Elevation: 944 ft
Getting There
From Bigfork take Hwy 83 south towards Swan Lake. Continue through the town of Swan Lake to mile-marker 69, just south of town. The cabin driveway is just south of the cabin rental sign. Continue down the driveway to the cabin with the porch.
Nearby National Park
West Entrance
Approximate driving time: over 1 hr (88 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- The cabin code is in your confirmation email; call the ranger office for weather updates, but no refunds for weather issues.
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.
Utilities
- Plan for electricity needs as power outages are possible; no refunds for outages.
- Conserve propane by setting the thermostat to 55 degrees when not in the cabin.
Safety & rules
- The road is plowed in winter, but be prepared for winter conditions and possible power loss.
- Forest Service staff may be present for maintenance during your stay.
- Bring garbage bags as this is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility.
- Be cautious as surfaces may be slippery when wet or icy.
Amenities
- Expect rustic conditions; the cabin is not a hotel and might not be perfectly clean after every stay.
Wildlife & food storage
- Store all food and garbage inside the cabin to avoid attracting bears.
Site types & loops
- Commercial use of the cabin is not allowed.
- The presence of stock animals is not allowed.
Pets
- Pets are welcome; please clean up after them responsibly.
Local regulations
- Access additional information about the Flathead National Forest.
Fires & fuel
- Obtain firewood locally to prevent pest spread; visit the provided link for more information.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: October 21, 2026
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Explore Swan Lake, MT
Population: 211
Nearby city: Missoula, MT
Approx. 72 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 3,091 ft
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