Hells Canyon Guard Station
Hells Canyon Guard Station is a quaint log cabin located in the Highland Mountains of Montana's Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. It is most often used as a base camp by hunters and hikers. The area is replete with wildlife and provides access to scenic mountain views, as well as plentiful opportunities for recreation. It was originally built in 1906 and used as a line cabin for ranchers before being donated to the Forest Service in 1910. The Forest Service has used the cabin as a guard station and now offers it for public enjoyment. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle; however, during winter months, alternative resources may be required to reach the 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 | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | 4 / – |
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 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Fees | The non-refundable fee is $55 per night. Changes in scheduled reservation dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service. |
The large, single-room structure has bunk beds to sleep up to 4 people. It has potable drinking water in the summer months, a Coleman propane cooktop (propane not provided), a wood stove for heat and cooking, and a table and chairs. Basic cooking and eating utensils, pots, and pans, as well as some cleaning equipment, should be available inside. An outhouse with a vault toilet is nearby. Guests will need to bring their own bedding, including blankets and pillows, towels, soap, matches, garbage bags, food, and propane fuel (for lanterns and coleman) in 16-ounce canisters. Guests are required to pack out all trash and clean the cabin prior to leaving. Cell phone service is rare or nonexistent in the area. Cabin must be cleaned prior to leaving. Check-out time is 11 am, check-in time is 2 pm.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Whitehall, travel south on Highway 55 for about 20 miles. Turn right off the highway just before crossing the Jefferson River, onto Forest Service Road 125, and continue west about 14 miles on a dirt road. Winter access varies with snow conditions. Guests may need to hike, ski or snowmobile to the cabin during winter months.
| Nearest town | Butte, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.6908° N, 112.4244° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Electricity is not available at this cabin.
- There is a propane lantern you can use but propane is not provided.
- Please remember that Hells Canyon Guard Station is considered a recreational area and shooting is not permitted around the cabin.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
30 mi from the campground
- WildfireSand Creek
45 mi from the campground · 35,520 acres · 83% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Bretz RV & Marine - Butte, MT ↗ | 17.8 mi |
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 19.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miBrazil Ridge3 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 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
- inBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,614,456 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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Natural features
The cabin is in an idyllic setting, with pristine nature all around. It is situated along Hells Canyon Creek in a lush meadow of sagebrush and tall grasses. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is famous for its wide array of big game animals. Elk and deer are the most sought after by hunters on the forest and in the Hells Canyon area. Upland game birds are also in the area.
Recreation
Hunters frequently use the cabin as a base camp. Fishing is also available in nearby Hells Canyon Creek. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the Hells Canyon area. Off-road vehicles are allowed on designated trails. Off-road vehicles and motorcycles are also allowed in the area, but must be properly permitted and licensed to be on trails and roads. During winter months, the area is popular for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Winter sports enthusiasts should carry and know how to use proper backcountry equipment, including a beacon, shovel and probe.
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 Hells Canyon Guard Station?
Sites at Hells Canyon 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 Hells Canyon Guard Station?
The non-refundable fee is $55 per night. Changes in scheduled reservation dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hells Canyon Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Hells Canyon Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hells Canyon Guard Station?
Hunters frequently use the cabin as a base camp. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hells Canyon Guard Station?
Butte, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Hells Canyon Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pigeon Creek Campground (7.7 mi, first-come), Toll Mountain Campground (11.1 mi, first-come), and Basin Canyon Campground and Picnic Area (12.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby