OutReserve

Star Meadows Guard Station

Historic forest service cabin with treed mountain behind.
Star Meadows Guard Station
Star Meadows Guard Station
Benches around a campfire in the wintertime.
Star Meadows Guard Station

About Star Meadows Guard Station

The Star Meadows Guard Station has all the rustic feel of a remote Forest Service cabin while still being accessible by paved road from Whitefish. Furnished with a refrigerator/freezer, range and oven, microwave, coffeemaker, pots and pans, dishes and silverware, and electric heat, this cabin has everything you need to come and enjoy some time in the Forest. Nearby Tally Lake and Sylvia Lake offer opportunities for water play and fishing and a centralized location in the Tally Lake District to access miles of hiking, biking or horseback riding trails with a trailhead right behind the cabin. Enjoy a large backyard area for family games, or just sit in front of the campfire with s’mores and make some memories. Star Meadows Guard Station is 23 miles from Whitefish on Forest Service Road #539. The road is paved and open year-round.  The Star Meadows Guard Station was built in 1941 to house Forest Service personnel and stock for the Tally Lake District. It was built to replace a 1908 building at the same location. The site operated as a work center when the Ranger Station was located at Tally Lake. In 1953, the District Office moved to Whitefish. The station housed fire suppression crews, contractors, and timber camps, and served as a staging area for engineers designing and building the roads on the District. During the winter months, the road was not plowed, and the site was inaccessible.  In 1991 a cultural survey found that the facilities were historically significant and were placed on the National Historic Register. In 2001, A Passport in Time project (PIT) funded the beginning of the restoration. 

Number of accommodations: 1

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

Sites & Availability

1 Site Available

Site
Price
🏠 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION
12 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$75.00
/ per night

Reviews (43)

What Guests Are Saying

Star Meadows Guard Station offers fantastic accommodations in a beautiful location, with clean and well-stocked cabins ideal for family gatherings. Guests appreciated the thoughtful amenities, including comfortable beds, games, and kitchen supplies, which enhanced their stay. The only notable drawbacks were the unpleasant outhouse smell and some difficulty locating the nearby Tally Lake turnoff, but overall, guests enjoyed a memorable experience.

Review Summary

4.6
43 reviews
5
76.7%
33
4
14.0%
6
3
2.3%
1
2
7.0%
3
1
0.0%
0

Alysa M

Verified

January 22, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Cozy, well stocked kitchen and games. Fun to xcountry ski around.

Beth S

Verified

January 14, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Fantastic experience. Love the bunk house.

Jennifer P

Verified

January 13, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

*****

Timothy N

Verified

January 2, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Wonderful cabin, very clean when we arrived (thank you, previous guests!). Electric heat kept us warm on some cold nights. The kitchen is very well equipped with appliances, tableware, and cookware. The road was plowed but icy - no problem for our Outback with snow tires. No cell signal at the cabin, which was good for us! There are games and magazines at the cabin. The trail across the meadow and up the hill was easy to follow, at least for a mile or so.
Highly recommend this cabin for a winter weekend get away. As long as you don't expect running water, you'll be happy!

Christy R

Verified

December 28, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

4

We stayed at the cabin the end of November and there was about 8in of snow on the ground. Cabin was easy to get to and roads were plowed, but recommend a 4x4 vehicle. Cabin is not the nicest I’ve stayed in, but well equipped. We were still able to pump water on Nov 28-29. The bunkhouse was recently remodeled and the kids loved it! We had a magical chilly night out by the campfire under the stars and full moon reflecting off the sparkling snow. I would recommend this cabin to get away from civilization, but not for someone expecting a hotel like stay.

Wesley M

Verified

August 25, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

2

Previous renters did not leave the cabin as required. It is disappointing to have to clean before and after your stay at prices that continue to be increased.

Lori R

Verified

July 19, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

We rent a forestry cabin annually. Star Meadows is a great cabin if you have a larger group as it can easily accommodate 8. It is a perfect get away. The only drawback is no indoor running water. But the pump is not far from the cabin. Remember to bring a large container for your water as this is not provided. But the cooking utensils and dishes are all there.

wade k

Verified

January 25, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

3

needs new refridgerator shelves all broken stayed last summer no firewood

Heather E

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

4

We love staying at Star Meadows. Its not fancy or elegant but thats the point. A get-away from modern life that still has conveniences for cooking and electric heat. The kitchen is actually fairly well stocked, with both a drip coffee brewer, a french press, and an electric kettle. Lots of utensils & pots and pans. Microwave, stove & oven, and fridge. Beds are tolerable for a short stay.

Julia E

Verified

January 18, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

We loved this facility. Kayaked at Tally Lake on the way up, and spent the rest of the weekend relaxing. Beautiful kitchen with views over the meadow. Would definitely stay again.

Location Star Meadows Guard Station

Address:
5250 Star Meadow Road
Whitefish, MT, 59937
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 48.3819 / -114.71

Elevation: 1223 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Check out time is 11 AM Check in time is 1 PM

General

For more information, contact the Tally Lake Ranger District (406) 758-5204, Monday -- Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

General

Pack-in and pack-out all garbage; clean cabin before departing.

General

The combination to the cabin will be on your letter of confirmation from Recreation.gov

General

There is a food storage order in the Flathead National Forest. Please keep all food and attractants in the cabin or your vehicle. This is bear country.

General

Hand-pump will be left on well over the winter of 2025-2026 as an experiment to see if freezing is an issue. Be prepared to bring your own water if the pump becomes frozen. If pump continues to work, please pump an ample amount of water during each use to warm up pipe.

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