SWAN GUARD STATION Exterior
Swan Guard bedroom 2
SWAN GUARD STATION -view
Swan Guard bedroom 1
Swan Guard Cabin in the winter

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Power Service Power Service
Water Hookup Water Hookup
Kitchen Kitchen

About Swan Guard Station

Swan Guard Station is located next to beautiful Swan Lake, in northwestern Montana, where visitors enjoy all kinds of recreation. The fully restored historic cabin can accommodate up to eight people and offers somewhat modern amenities and plenty of space. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

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

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Power Service Power Service
Water Hookup Water Hookup
Kitchen Kitchen
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Power Service
  • Water Hookup
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly

Cabin Interior

  • Kitchen
  • Heating
Missing information?

001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

🏠 Cabin
  • 8 guests
  • Pet Friendly

Site Details

Up to 8 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Back-In
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View 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.

Review Summary

4.5
211 reviews
5
67.3%
142
4
22.7%
48
3
7.1%
15
2
1.4%
3
1
1.4%
3

Susan S

Verified

April 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

4

We enjoyed one early spring cold night in this cabin, especially with the cozy stove and the comfortable beds. Nice to play cribbage in front of the stove and have some food & drink treats. The kitchen was well-stocked with plates, cups, silverware, etc. and water was available at a hand pump not far from the front door. Loved seeing the old photographs of the Guard Station on the walls, and I'm glad there weren't any cutesy decorations. The only negative was all the dog hair, which is the fault of guests and not the Forest Service. The rule states no dogs on the furniture or beds but you can tell that's not followed, as there was dog hair everywhere, which stuck to all our clothes.

Susan S

Verified

April 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

4

We enjoyed one early spring cold night in this cabin, especially with the cozy stove and the comfortable beds. Nice to play cribbage in front of the stove and have some food & drink treats. The kitchen was well-stocked with plates, cups, silverware, etc. and water was available at a hand pump not far from the front door. Loved seeing the old photographs of the Guard Station on the walls, and I'm glad there weren't any cutesy decorations. The only negative was all the dog hair, which is the fault of guests and not the Forest Service. The rule states no dogs on the furniture or beds but you can tell that's not followed, as there was dog hair everywhere, which stuck to all our clothes.

Erna J

Verified

March 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

The cabin was wonderful, as always! Well stocked, and comfortable, and the spring skiing out the door through the wetlands was superb with fresh snow.

Erna J

Verified

March 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

The cabin was wonderful, as always! Well stocked, and comfortable, and the spring skiing out the door through the wetlands was superb with fresh snow.

Erna J

Verified

March 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

The cabin was wonderful, as always! Well stocked, and comfortable, and the spring skiing out the door through the wetlands was superb with fresh snow.

Bill C

Verified

March 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

As usual the cabin was ready for us when we arrived. The driveway to the cabin was recently plowed and sanded. A special thanks to Darren for plowing and sanding.

Bill C

Verified

March 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

As usual the cabin was ready for us when we arrived. The driveway to the cabin was recently plowed and sanded. A special thanks to Darren for plowing and sanding.

Bill C

Verified

March 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

As usual the cabin was ready for us when we arrived. The driveway to the cabin was recently plowed and sanded. A special thanks to Darren for plowing and sanding.

Patrick L

Verified

February 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

We loved this cabin. It was spacious, warm, spooky, and in a perfect location for all of our recreation needs.

Patrick L

Verified

February 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SWAN GUARD STATION

5

We loved this cabin. It was spacious, warm, spooky, and in a perfect location for all of our recreation needs.

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.

Nearest town

Swan Lake, MT - 1.5 mi

About 2 min to downtown

Nearby National Park

Glacier 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

Nearby destinations


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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service