USDA Forest Service · Montana
Swan Guard Station
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 electric
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,100 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BOND CREEK TRAILHEAD (NFSR 10546) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Flathead National Forest
- Nearest town
- Swan Lake
- Address
- Swan Lake, MT, 59911
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Historic Sites, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Swan Guard Station is located next to beautiful Swan Lake, in northwestern Montana, where visitors enjoy all kinds of recreation. The fully restored historic cabin can accommodate up to eight people and offers somewhat modern amenities and plenty of space.
Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
In addition to wildlife viewing, hiking and mountain biking trail access is nearby at Bond Creek Trailhead. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors during the winter.
The cabin is located just south of the town of Swan Lake, which offers opportunities for fishing, motor boating, non-motor boating, swimming and picnicking.
Facilities
The accessible cabin has beds and mattresses to accommodate up to eight people. It offers electricity, but no indoor plumbing. A propane heater provides heat in the living room.
A kitchen provides a refrigerator, sink, cooking range, and oven. It has ample cupboard space, as well as preparation and serving surfaces. A vault toilet and a hand-pump water system are available outside the cabin.
Guests will need to bring bedding, food, flashlights, a first aid kit and other necessary camping gear. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out before leaving. Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
The cabin is the oldest building in the Flathead National Forest. It was constructed in 1909 as a remote ranger station and has since been fully restored and reconstructed. It is located at the south end of Swan Lake, near the village of Swan Lake.
The nearby Swan River Wildlife Refuge provides abundant bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (406) 837-7500.
Fees
Swan Guard Station is available for $70 a night for a maximum stay of seven consecutive nights.
Within the maximum window (a rolling 6 month window), the maximum consecutive stay rule is 7 days and there is a Stay Beyond Maximum Window where customers can book past the 6 month rolling window if there is availability on the last day(s) of the maximum window.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 26° | -10° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 23° | -11° | 49° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 44° | 28° | 6° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 33° | 11° | 68° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 57° | 39° | 27° | 81° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 49° | 36° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 59° | 47° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 82° | 60° | 50° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 54° | 42° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 40° | 30° | 72° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 42° | 31° | 11° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 36° | 27° | 1° | 49° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Swan Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 43 sites
- Mission Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- Yellow Bay State Park · Montana State Parks · 9 mi · 5 sites
- Blue Bay Campground · Tribal Lands · 11 mi · 22 sites
- Peter'S Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.