OutReserve

Star Meadows Guard Station

Historic forest service cabin with treed mountain behind.
Benches around a campfire in the wintertime.
Historic forest service cabin kitchen area.
Five benches around a campfire
Historic forest service cabin with a dog kennel.

Featured amenities

Fire Pit
Kitchen

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

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Water Activities

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

Fire Pit
Kitchen
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access

Cabin Interior

  • Kitchen
  • Heating
Cabin Outdoor Features

Cabin Outdoor Features

  • Outdoor Seating
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 12 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Back-In
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews (127)

What Guests Are Saying

Star Meadows Guard Station offers a beautiful and peaceful location, perfect for a relaxing getaway. Guests appreciate the well-stocked kitchen, comfortable accommodations, and thoughtful amenities like games and campfire supplies. While some cleanliness and odor issues have been noted, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a favored choice for families and gatherings.

Review Summary

4.6
127 reviews
5
75.6%
96
4
14.2%
18
3
3.1%
4
2
7.1%
9
1
0.0%
0

Ginny G

Verified

November 9, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Cabin was clean and Ranger Derek came by with three space heaters, which ere much appreciated!
Beautiful setting. Came on Halloween. Would love to come again in summer

Ginny G

Verified

November 9, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Cabin was clean and Ranger Derek came by with three space heaters, which ere much appreciated!
Beautiful setting. Came on Halloween. Would love to come again in summer

Michelle P

Verified

February 27, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Amazing location - far enough to be quiet and dark at night, yet close enough to get to town/big mountain. Lots of good winter hiking and so, so clean. Everything needed is there, quite deluxe. Hack: use forest service directions, Google sends drivers down an unplowed road! We loved this place for warm winter getaway!

Michelle P

Verified

February 27, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Amazing location - far enough to be quiet and dark at night, yet close enough to get to town/big mountain. Lots of good winter hiking and so, so clean. Everything needed is there, quite deluxe. Hack: use forest service directions, Google sends drivers down an unplowed road! We loved this place for warm winter getaway!

Michelle P

Verified

February 27, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Amazing location - far enough to be quiet and dark at night, yet close enough to get to town/big mountain. Lots of good winter hiking and so, so clean. Everything needed is there, quite deluxe. Hack: use forest service directions, Google sends drivers down an unplowed road! We loved this place for warm winter getaway!

Leslie D

Verified

April 7, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

The main cabin and bunkhouse made for an excellent two night stay for our family + and handful of my high school daughter’s friends. The game/book/puzzle area is so well stocked that if staying here again, I don’t know that we would even bother to pack any from home!

Leslie D

Verified

April 7, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

The main cabin and bunkhouse made for an excellent two night stay for our family + and handful of my high school daughter’s friends. The game/book/puzzle area is so well stocked that if staying here again, I don’t know that we would even bother to pack any from home!

Leslie D

Verified

April 7, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

The main cabin and bunkhouse made for an excellent two night stay for our family + and handful of my high school daughter’s friends. The game/book/puzzle area is so well stocked that if staying here again, I don’t know that we would even bother to pack any from home!

Dwayne M

Verified

April 3, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Well equipped cabin in a beautiful and quiet location. No cell service which was the best feature of all.

Dwayne M

Verified

April 3, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA STAR MEADOWS GUARD STATION

5

Well equipped cabin in a beautiful and quiet location. No cell service which was the best feature of all.

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

Arrival & departure

Check in time

1PM

Check out time

11AM

  • Contact the Tally Lake Ranger District for more information during business hours.
  • The cabin combination will be provided in your confirmation letter from Recreation.gov.

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.

Safety & rules

  • Guests must pack out all garbage and clean the cabin before leaving.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Food and attractants must be stored in the cabin or vehicle due to bear country regulations.

Utilities

  • The hand-pump will remain on during winter 2025-2026; guests should bring their own water if it freezes.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 5, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service