Does Thompson Guard Station have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Thompson Guard Station does not have wifi.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Thompson Guard Station?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Thompson Guard Station. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Thompson Guard Station, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Thompson Guard Station?

There are 1 campsites at Thompson Guard Station and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Established Camping

Thompson Guard Station

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Thompson 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's drive.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Overview

Thompson Guard Station is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. Historical records indicate that the guard station was built in 1954 for rangers in the district, but it may have been used as a cookhouse for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp prior to that date. In later years, engineering and road maintenance crews used the cabin as lodging. Today, the cabin is a rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It is accessible by car, but snow closes the road in winter and access is maintained to within about 4 miles of the cabin on the east side. During these periods, guests should be prepared to reach the cabin by snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobile. The cabin offers many amenities, but guests must bring some of their own gear and supplies.

Recreation

Gipsy Lake is 1 mile south of the cabin and is accessible by vehicle. It offers rainbow trout fishing and a launch for non-motorized boats. Another 3 miles south of Gipsy Lake are Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake and Edith Lake. A number of multi-use trails and roads are in the area, offering chances to hike, mountain bike or ride horses. The winter landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Natural Features

Thompson Guard Station sits in a grassy, open clearing backed by mixed conifer forest. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds. Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, squirrels and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.

Nearby Attractions

Canyon Ferry Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, perch, ling and walleye. The wildlife viewing near the lake is quite impressive as well. It is one of the best in the country for viewing large concentrations of bald eagles. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is home to a colony of terns and pelicans. White Sulphur Springs is about 17 miles away and, as the name implies, there is a hot spring open to the public, which is owned by a local motel.

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Location

Thompson Guard Station is located in Montana

Directions

From White Sulphur Springs, travel west on Highway 360 for 1.6 miles. At this point, make a sharp curve to the right off the highway. There is a Forest Service sign at this junction that reads: Gipsy Lake 14, Townsend 44. Go straight onto the gravel road for 6.5 miles. At 6.5 miles, the gravel road forks at the entrance to a ranch. Stay to the right. As you drive the next 7.5 miles to the Forest boundary, the road will become more primitive. Within a quarter of a mile of the Forest boundary, a sign for Thompson Station will direct you to the right onto Forest Road #383. Take Forest Road #383 for 0.6 miles to a sign that will direct you to the left, and to a gate to the station. Access to the cabin during the summer months is good and can be reached by driving through White Sulphur Springs or from the west over Duck Creek Pass.The Forest Service does not provide snow removal to the cabin. During winter, snow closes the road and access is maintained to within about 8 miles of the cabin on the east side. Please use parking that is identified and do not block private land access. Access to the cabin is by snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobile. Generally, the road will open around the first week in June.