USDA Forest Service · Montana
Judith Guard Station
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,069 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- JUDITH STATION RESIDENCE (NFSR 822-A) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
- Nearest town
- STANFORD
- Address
- 109 CENTRAL AVE. P.O. BOX 484, STANFORD, MT, 59479
- Phone
- 406-566-2292 OR 406-236-5511
- Activities
- Archery, Backpacking, Biking, Birding, Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Off Highway Vehicle, Photography
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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. In times of heavy snowfall, the last half-mile to the cabin may require a snowmobile, skis or snowshoes.
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.
Facilities
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. Click here for more cabin details.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 18° | -30° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 31° | 14° | -31° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 23° | -3° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 44° | 28° | -9° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 56° | 37° | 26° | 74° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 66° | 46° | 37° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 55° | 41° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 54° | 46° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 68° | 47° | 29° | 84° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 36° | 18° | 73° | 5 of 10 |
| November | 42° | 29° | -8° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 20° | -15° | 47° | 10 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
- Hay Canyon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Dry Wolf Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
- Dry Wolf Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
- Hunters Spring Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 1 sites
- Dry Wolf Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 1 sites
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.