National Forest Cabin
Thompson Guard Station
About
Located in the heart of the Big Belt Mountain, this cabin presents a wonderful getaway from the fast pace of a hectic life. A fairly large two-room cabin with a deck greets renters and offers plenty of room to stretch out. Historical records indicate the cabin was built in 1954, but some folks believe the building may have been used initially as a cookhouse for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp reportedly on this site. In later years engineering and road maintenance crews also used the cabin. Thompson Guard Station offers a wonderful forest setting with hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding in the area. A series of small lakes are located in the area. Gipsy Lake, about a mile south, is easily reached by vehicle. The other lakes can be reached by horseback or hiking. Within three miles south of Gipsy Lake are Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake and Edith Lake. There are times when you might see elk or deer nearby. Bring a mountain bike, hiking gear, or horse to explore the many trails in the area. The cabin has corrals.
The small town of White Sulphur Spring is about 17 miles a way and as the name implies, there is a hot spring open to the public but owned by local motel. Access to the cabin during the summer months is good and can be reached by driving through White Sulphur Springs or from the west over Duck Creek Pass.
During winter, snow closes the road and access is maintained to within about 4 miles of the cabin on the east side. Snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles will get you there in the winter months. Generally, the road will open around the first week in June.
There is a $30 a night usage fee and a maximum stay of five nights. The cabin will accommodate up to six people. Drive to cabin in the summer (6/1 - 9/15). The guard station is furnished with a Monarch cook stove and has an adjoining wood stove for heating purposes. Also beds with mattresses, a table and chairs, silverware, dishes, cooking utensils, pots and pans, axe, shovel, outhouse, and cleaning supplies. A fenced corral is just below the cabin.
Contact
MAILING ADDRESS
415 South Front
Townsend, MT 59644
Townsend, MT 59644
CONTACT
406-266-3425
FAX
406-266-5484
Details
SEASON
All Year
SPECIAL DIRECTIONS
Leave White Sulphur Springs, west on Highway 360. 1.6 miles from town the highway makes a sharp curve to the right. Go straight on to the gravel road. There is a Forest Service sign at this junction, it reads; Gipsy Lake 14, Townsend 44. After 6.5 miles the gravel road will fork at the entrance to a ranch. Stay to the right. As you drive the next 7.5 miles to the Forest Boundary the road will become more primitive. Within a quarter of a mile of the boundary a sign for Thompson Station will direct you to the right on to Forest Road # 383. After 0.6 miles a sign will direct you to the left and a gate to the station.
Winter access varies; it is best from the White Sulphur Springs side with a 4-wheel drive vehicle to within 3 miles of the cabin. At this point, you can walk, ski, snowmobile, or snowshoe to the cabin.
SERVICES
ACTIVITIES
