Established Camping
Eagle Guard Station
Eagle Guard Station is located in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, featuring forested terrain with nearby mountains. The area experiences temperature highs around 80°F in summer and lows near 10°F in winter. Visitors can explore Canyon Ferry Lake and the Gates of the Mountains, both accessible within an hour.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
Overview
Eagle Guard Station is located in high grasslands and surrounded by a scattered forest in the Elkhorn Mountains in west-central Montana. The former Eagle Creek Ranger Station was built by miner Richard Owen in 1895. While his family lived there, the area was in a booming gold rush. In 1908, the cabin was taken over by the Forest Service for administrative use. It is the oldest administrative log structure on the Helena National Forest, predating the establishment of the Forest. Today the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation. The cabin is accessible by car, but the last 4 miles are only open to foot, horseback and cross-country ski traffic from December 2nd through May 15th. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack in some of their own supplies and gear.
Recreation
Eagle Guard Station provides guests with outstanding opportunities for photography, fishing, hunting, and hiking. The area offers centralized access to the Elkhorn Mountains with numerous hiking trails and roads leading to the Elkhorn's historical resources. Popular hikes include those to Crow Creek Falls and Poe Park. An interpretive trail is accessible just beyond the cabin. When snow allows, skiing gives visitors an up-close look at concentrations of wintering elk.
Natural Features
Eagle Guard Station is situated on the southeast flanks of the Elkhorn Mountains in a beautiful open grassland setting, an outstanding location for viewing elk. Crow Creek Falls, the largest waterfall in Helena National Forest, is located within hiking distance of the cabin and is a sanctuary for many wildlife species, including the threatened Canada lynx, the sensitive goshawk and westslope cutthroat trout. The area offers unique opportunities for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Bighorn sheep, mule and white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine and mountain lion find habitat here as well.
Nearby Attractions
Historic town sites and mining areas such as Elkhorn, Hassel, Ruddville and Diamond Hill mines are nearby for guests interested in the mining history of the Elkhorns.
Location
Eagle Guard Station is located in Montana
Directions
All mileage is approximate from the highway. Road is native surface dirt, with ruts and rocky sections, higher clearance vehicles are a must, 4x4/AWD recommended, road is NOT for passenger cars. Directions to Eagle Guard Station from the intersection of highway 287 and Indian Creek Road (which is just north of the Missouri River Bridge, north of Townsend). Take the Indian Creek Road (traveling west) approximately 3.5 miles, you will pass a National Forest Access that says \"Indian Creek\", there will also be a sign on the left saying \"Eagle Guard Station\", take the left at this intersection. Stay on this road that travels through the canyon, for approximately 4.7 miles, you will come to a \"Y\" in the road, take the left which is the #4031 road. Stay on road 4031 for approximately 5 miles (you should pass a sign saying \"Eagle Guard Station\" with a straight arrow) until you come to a \"T\" intersection. There will be a sign that says \"Radersburg/Crow Creek left\" and \"Eagle Guard Station right\". Take a right for approziately .7 miles to the next intersection. Take the left and cabin is about .3 miles on the left.From December 2 through May 15, the last 4 miles are not open to motorized vehicles. Access to the cabin is by foot, ski, or horseback.
Address
415 S. FRONT STREET
Townsend, MT 59644
Coordinates
46.323923 N
111.744473 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobilePoor
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Helena
- 1 hr 46 min from Bozeman
- 2 hrs 34 min from Great Falls
- 3 hrs 3 min from Missoula
