Eldridge Guard Station
Eldridge Guard Station is a primitive, rustic, log structure open year-round for recreational enjoyment. It provides access to several trails for summer hiking and biking, and winter skiing and snowmobiling. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle in warmer weather, but snow conditions may require a two mile trek on skis, snowshoes, or by snowmobile. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and they must bring several of their own amenities.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles |
|---|---|
| ELDRIDGE GUARD STATION | 8 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
Eldridge Guard Station sleeps 6, with a maximum group size of 8 people for overnight use. 7-night maximum stay per group. This is a primitive cabin with limited seasonal access - There is no electricity or potable water available (water from nearby creek or snow in winter can be filtered for use). An outhouse is located outside, behind the cabin. A corral is available for stock. A wood stove is available for heat, and a propane gas stove for cooking. There is also a small propane powered refrigerator in the cabin. (Please carefully read the instructions for the propane stove and refrigerator!) The cabin is stocked with basic amenities: axe, shovel, bucket, 2 cots, 2 full-size futons with mattresses, table and chairs, and minimal cookware. A large stock pot is available for boiling water. It is strongly advised that renters bring their own backcountry cookware and dishes for use. Renters should also bring their own firewood, drinking water, flashlight/lantern, bedding, matches, extra toilet paper, garbage bags, dish soap, and other necessities.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Please note: warm weather access doesn't start until May when snow has melted out. Summer Access: From West Yellowstone, Montana, proceed north on Highway 191 for approximately 33.5 miles. Turn left on Taylor Fork Road/Forest Service Road 134 and proceed for approximately 6.5 miles. The cabin will be on the left side of the road.
| Nearest town | West Yellowstone, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.0699° N, 111.3122° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Fall hunting season brings big game hunters to this area (September 1-December 1).
- This rustic, uninsulated, high ceiling cabin can be very cold in winter, even with the wood stove burning.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
27 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
39 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Grizzly Outfitters ↗ | 13.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Valley Trailer Sales Inc ↗ | 47.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Eldridge Guard Station is within an hour’s drive south to West Yellowstone, Montana, home of the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. It is also close to Hebgen and Earthquake lakes, as well as the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center. Eldridge Guard Station is also within an hour’s drive north to Big Sky, Montana.
- 0.2 miEldridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.6 miUpper Wapiti Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miEldridge ↗8.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miMeadow Creek ↗5.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.2 miDeadhorse Creek3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.6 miAlbino Lake3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miMarble Mountain ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miOil Well ↗10.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miEldridge Trailhead ↗Custer Gallatin National Forest
- 2.6 miUpper Wapiti Trailhead ↗Custer Gallatin National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
- inLee Metcalf Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 242,068 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Crail Ranch BuildingsBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 13.7 mi
Natural features
Eldridge Guard Station is situated between the Madison Mountain Range and the Gallatin Mountain Range at an elevation of 7,030 feet. The cabin is at the edge of a meadow with Taylor Creek running across from the cabin. Eldridge Guard Station is located in high-population grizzly bear habitat. The area is also home to deer, elk, moose, and other wildlife. Please respect the wildlife and always keep a safe distance. Carry bear spray, and always securely store food and other attractants (March 1-December 1).
Recreation
The area surrounding Eldridge Guard Station offers many recreational opportunities, both motorized and non-motorized. In the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the nearby trails, riding 50” (or narrower) motorized vehicles on the motorized trails, stream fishing, or bird/wildlife watching. In the winter, visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country or back-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Eldridge Guard Station?
Sites at Eldridge Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Eldridge Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Eldridge Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Eldridge Guard Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Eldridge Guard Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Eldridge Guard Station?
The area surrounding Eldridge Guard Station offers many recreational opportunities, both motorized and non-motorized. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Eldridge Guard Station?
West Yellowstone, Montana. Eldridge Guard Station is within an hour’s drive south to West Yellowstone, Montana, home of the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park.
Source: Getting there
What if Eldridge Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Red Cliff Campground (8 mi), Tom Miner Campground (12.9 mi, first-come), and Bear Creek Campground and Picnic Area (13.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby