Judith Guard Station
Judith Guard Station is a historic Ranger Station dating back to the early 1900s. Designated as a National Historic Site, the cabin is decorated with historically accurate furnishings and wallpaper. It is just a stone's throw from the Middle Fork of the Judith River and a small campground with a picnic area. Mandatory bear food storage requirements apply, with specfic compliance information posted at the cabin. The cabin, located about 30 miles south of Stanford, may be accessed by regular passenger vehicle until snow season. The road is usually plowed within 2 miles of the station, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle can often make the trip.
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 | 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 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
The two-story frame building has a modern vault toilet outside and a porch with chairs. Furnishings include propane cook stove and heat, beds to fit eight guests, table and chairs plus cooking utensils are provided in the kitchen. Portable propane lanterns are available, but users must bring their own propane cylinders. A hand well with drinking water is available outside from May to September. No water is available during the winter so guests should bring plenty of water during this time period. Guests are asked to bring garbage bags, toilet paper, flashlights, bedding, an ice chest and all personal toiletries.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Great Falls, travel east on U.S. Highway 87 for about 63 miles to Windham, Montana, from Windham turn right off HWY 200/87 and head south for approximately 10 miles until the town of Utica. Turn right at Utica, continue south for approximately 13 miles on the county road.
| Nearest town | Stanford, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.8483° N, 110.2906° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedKings Hill Cabin Piles Rx
19 mi from the campground · 1 acres
- PrescribedCoyote Divide Piles Rx
23 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMonarch Unit 141 Piles Rx
31 mi from the campground · 2 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Couger Canyon Lodge ↗ | 31 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miMiddle Fk. Judith ATV1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.4 miEttien Ridge ↗12.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1 miEttien Ridge Connector2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.3 miMiddle Fork Judith River ↗7.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miArch Coulee1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.5 miHay Canyon ↗7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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
This campground sits inside Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
- inHelena-Lewis and Clark National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,177,729 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
Natural features
Judith Guard Station sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet on the northern banks of the Middle Fork of the Judith River. The region boasts wooded hills topped with Ponderosa Pine, lodgepole pine and Douglas fir. Wildlife in the area includes deer, elk, bear, bobcats and montain lions.
Recreation
Hiking, OHVing, hunting and mountain biking opportunities abound. Nearby hunting includes deer and elk in designated areas. Snow shoeing and cross country skiing are popular activities during the winter months.
Nearby
Judith River State Wildlfe Management Area lies north of the cabin and Middle fork of the Judith River in close proximity.Grocery stores and gas is available in Stanford, about 30 miles from the cabin. Sapphire Village 5 miles to the northeast
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 Judith Guard Station?
Sites at Judith 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 Judith Guard Station?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Judith Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Judith Guard Station?
Hiking, OHVing, hunting and mountain biking opportunities abound. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Judith Guard Station?
Stanford, Montana. Judith River State Wildlfe Management Area lies north of the cabin and Middle fork of the Judith River in close proximity.Grocery stores and gas is available in Stanford, about 30 miles from the cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Judith Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hay Canyon Campground (3.4 mi, first-come), Daisy Dean Camp (15.9 mi, first-come), and Jellison Place Campground (16.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby