Magruder Rangers House
Magruder Rangers House is one of seven buildings still used by Forest Service trail crews and wilderness rangers. The rental cabin is available from early June to mid-October. It provides visitors with access to two designated wilderness areas, plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and exploration and a comfortably equipped place to stay. The Ranger Station is open to the general public and the main entrance/exit road runs by the rental cabin. There are several trails which leave from the Ranger Station area so you can choose your destination and come back to relax in a cozy cabin.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes |
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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The cabin rental fee is $100 per night, for up to four consecutive nights. No Golden Age/Access discounts apply at this site. The cabin can be reserved up to 180 days in advance. |
The Magruder Ranger House is a historical cabin and along with six other buildings which were at one time part of the Deep Creek Ranger Station and later the Magruder Ranger Station. The two-story, five-room log cabin has two bedrooms, a living area, a kitchen and an indoor bathroom. It has beds with mattresses, as well as futons, to sleep up to 10 people. A wood stove for heat is available in the basement of the cabin and firewood is provided. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, propane refrigerator, stove and propane lights. Cooking and eating utensils are available, as well as various cleaning equipment. During the summer, hot and cold running water is available for the kitchen and bathroom, which has a flush toilet and a shower. The water system is turned off for fall and winter. Water is turned on from June through September 30. An outdoor vault toilet is provided. Guests will need to bring their own bedding, towels, food, matches, garbage bags and toilet paper, among other necessities. It is required that guests replenish the cut kindling supply and clean the cabin prior to leaving. The cabin is accessible by four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Darby, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 for 4 miles to West Fork Road/Highway 473. Continue on this road for approximately 14 miles to the Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road #468 and go another 34 miles on the one-lane gravel, and partially paved road.
| Nearest town | Darby, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 45.7022° N, 114.7167° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D4 Piquett Creek
27 mi from the campground · 2,210 acres
- PrescribedScf Nz Pile Burn Rx
39 mi from the campground · 34 acres
- PrescribedRx D3 Cameron Gaps
42 mi from the campground · 1,100 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Hamilton RV Sales Of Montana ↗ | 47.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The adjacent Magruder Road provides drivers with a unique experience in the back country of Idaho. The road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and remains much the same now as it did then. The "Deep Creek Ranger Station" as it was once known, now called the Magruder Ranger Station is a step back in time. Explore the Selway River Road to Indian Creek where you will find interpretive information and the remains of the Indian Creek Hatching Channel. Meander down to the end of the road to explore the beautiful Paradise Campground and White Cap Creek. The Selway River put in is the start of adventures for lucky whitewater permit holders from May 15 through July 31. Those lucky enough to draw the permits are anxiously awaiting their adventure.
- 4.1 miBeaver Point Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 8.3 miSalmon Base Camp Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13 miReynolds Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miKim Creek ↗5.7 mi trail
- 0.1 miSelway River - Fcronr ↗20.1 mi trail
- 0.1 miPasture Ridge ↗5 mi trail
- 0.9 miDeep Creek-Beaver Jack4 mi trail
- 3.3 miGrass-Lunch3 mi trail
- 3.5 miGold Pan Cross Country ↗4.5 mi trail
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 Bitterroot National Forest.
- inBitterroot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,664,512 acres
- 1.6 miNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,072,795 acres
- 3.7 miSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,347,644 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
- Salmon Mountain LookoutBuilding · Darby (MT) · 8.3 mi
Natural features
The house is located on the Selway River, between the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. It was once the residence of the district ranger and his family. Most of the area is covered by coniferous forests, with open meadows near the river. Because of its size, the wilderness provides a secluded habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Populations of mountain lions and grey wolves live in the area, as well as coyote, fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer and black bears (learn about outdoor safety ).
Recreation
Hunting, fishing and hiking are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. The adjacent Scenic and Wild Selway River and a variety of nearby mountain streams are well known for trout fishing. Anglers might see bullhead, rainbow, steelhead and cutthroat trout, as well as mountain whitefish. There are a variety of trails that traverse the area. They are open to hiking and horseback riding. Bicycles and motorized travel are not allowed within wilderness boundaries but are allowed on roads.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Magruder Rangers House?
Sites at Magruder Rangers House 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 Magruder Rangers House?
The cabin rental fee is $100 per night, for up to four consecutive nights. No Golden Age/Access discounts apply at this site. The cabin can be reserved up to 180 days in advance.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Magruder Rangers House?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Magruder Rangers House have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Magruder Rangers House?
The longest site here provides 50 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 Magruder Rangers House?
During the summer, hot and cold running water is available for the kitchen and bathroom, which has a flush toilet and a shower.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Magruder Rangers House?
Yes, pets are allowed at Magruder Rangers House. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Magruder Rangers House?
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 Magruder Rangers House?
Hunting, fishing and hiking are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Magruder Rangers House?
Darby, Idaho. The adjacent Magruder Road provides drivers with a unique experience in the back country of Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Magruder Rangers House is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Magruder Crossing Campground (3.1 mi, first-come), Paradise Campground (11 mi, first-come), and Fales Flat Campground (13.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby