Snyder Guard Station
Snyder Guard station, located on the banks of the scenic Moyie River, has been listed on the National Register for Historic places since 1982. The complex of seven buildings includes a residence, two log cabins, a cookhouse, warehouse, corrals, a machinery shed and a garage. The facility is spread across 10 lovely acres and is perfect for large groups of up to 70 people or small family getaways. The buildings on the property were constructed from 1906 to 1936, and most structures are available for rent. A group picnic and camping area provide additional campsites and amenities for six RVs, plenty of room for tent camping, pathways to the river, and more.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | 900 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 70 / 31 | Yes | Preferred |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
The site record lists 31 vehicles. The campground description says parking holds 10 vehicles.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Fees: 1-6 People - $90 7-13 People - $110 14-70 People - $150 |
Historic Site buildings include the main ranger house, two small log cabins, a cookhouse, a horse pole barn, and several administrative buildings. Camping Loop buildings include a 50' x 30' covered picnic shelter, a camping loop with six sites with picnic tables and fire rings, a vault toilet, and additional parking for 10 vehicles. Additionally, two horse corrals, vault toilets, drinking water faucets, campfire rings, picnic tables, and a mowed grassy playing field are available for use. The ranger house has three bedrooms, a bathroom with a flush toilet and hot shower (low capacity, only for groups under 25 people, outdoor screened shower areas are also available), a living room, dining room, and a fully stocked kitchen with enough utensils for 12 guests. The small cabins come with three to four beds and a table and chair. These cabins have no electricity. Most facilities and furnishings are 80-110 years old, please use them gently and treat them with respect. To protect the historic features, pets are not allowed at Snyder Guard Station. The cookhouse is furnished with benches and tables to seat 30, plus cookware and place settings.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Snyder Guard Station is located 36 road miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, ID and takes 50 minutes to drive from point to point. From the Bonners Ferry Ranger Station, drive north on US 95 for 29.5 miles to Moyie River Road. Turn right (south) onto Moyie River Road (at Good Grief Cafe) and travel south for 5.5 miles.
| Nearest town | Bonners Ferry, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 48.8842° N, 116.1694° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireUpper Smith
20 mi from the campground · 4,848 acres · 41% contained
- WildfireParker Lake
21 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained
- WildfireSilver
28 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 14 mi |
| RV sales & service | Kootenay RV ↗ | 22.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | North 40 ↗ | 43.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miSnyder Creek ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1 miRuby Ridge ↗12.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.4 miSidehill ↗13.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.7 miRutledge Creek ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.8 miRutledge Creek A0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
- 2.1 miWall Creek2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
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
Kootenai National Forest begins about 8.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.2 miKootenai National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,622,202 acres
- 14.6 miKootenai National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 2,774 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
- Snyder Guard Station Historical DistrictHistoric district · Eastport · 0 mi
- Spokane & International Railroad Construction CampSite · Eastport · 5.7 mi
- North Side SchoolBuilding · Bonners Ferry · 14.2 mi
Natural features
Snyder Guard Station is located within the Lower Kootenai River Area (Bonners Ferry District) of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The area is bordered by the Purcell and Cabinet Ranges and the Montana Line on the east, the rugged Selkirk Range on the west, and the Canadian border to the north. The Kootenai River meanders north and west through the District, and the Moyie River joins it from the north. The Guard Station sits at an elevation of 2,500 feet along the Moyie River, 8 miles south of the Canadian border. Terrain in the river valley is relatively flat, and is bordered by Queen Mountain to the West and Ruby Mountain to the east. The mixed conifer forest include Douglas fir and spruce. Wildlife sightings include elk, deer, black bears, moose and bald eagles.
Recreation
Outdoor recreational opportunities abound on the Moyie River and nearby lakes. Fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking are all popular pastimes. Over 70 miles of trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and motorcyclists. The Copper Falls viewpoint trail is just a few miles from the Snyder Guard Station on copper Falls Road #2517. Hunting, huckleberry picking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling are enjoyed in season.
Nearby
A restaurant, gas station and convenience store are less than 10 miles down the road.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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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 Snyder Guard Station?
Sites at Snyder Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Snyder Guard Station?
Fees: 1-6 People - $90 7-13 People - $110 14-70 People - $150
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Snyder Guard Station?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Snyder Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Snyder Guard Station?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Snyder Guard Station?
The ranger house has three bedrooms, a bathroom with a flush toilet and hot shower (low capacity, only for groups under 25 people, outdoor screened shower areas are also available), a living room, dining room, and a fully stocked kitchen with enough utensils for 12 guests.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Snyder Guard Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Snyder Guard Station?
Outdoor recreational opportunities abound on the Moyie River and nearby lakes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Snyder Guard Station?
Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A restaurant, gas station and convenience store are less than 10 miles down the road.
Source: Getting there
What if Snyder Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Solomon Lake Fishing (6.8 mi, first-come), Copper Creek Campground (6.9 mi, first-come), and Red Top Campground (14.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby