Bull River Guard Station
Kootenai National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: TROUT CREEK, MT, MT
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (41 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Bull River Guard Station was built in 1908 as the Ranger’s house and office. This structure was a primary ranger station from 1908 to 1920, surviving the legendary 1910 fires that swept through the area. The cabin was home to Granville "Granny" Gordon (District Ranger), his wife and three daughters.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bull-river-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1908 ranger station cabin offering a unique camping experience in the Bull River area with access to boating, fishing, and hiking. Located in a scenic Montana setting with diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife alert: Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Wapiti, and various bat species present in the area
Insider tips for Bull River Guard Station: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site Road is normally plowed within 1 mile of cabin during winter months for vehicle access Bull River is 24.7 miles long, offering extended boating and fishing opportunities
Skip Bull River Guard Station if: Seeking RV hookups - only suitable for self-contained RVs with no hookups available. Planning to visit outside May through October seasonal window. Requiring immediate vehicle access during winter conditions.
Best time to visit Bull River Guard Station: May-October — Official operating season as verified in campground data.
Nearby campgrounds: Bull River Pavilion (TROUT CREEK, MT), Dorr Skeels Campground (Troy, MT), Gem Peak Lookout Rental (TROUT CREEK, MT), Minton Peak Lookout (Trout Creek, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bull River Guard Station
Cell signal at Bull River Guard Station (TROUT CREEK, MT): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Bull River Guard Station was built in 1908 as the Ranger’s house and office. This structure was a primary ranger station from 1908 to 1920, surviving the legendary 1910 fires that swept through the area. The cabin was home to Granville "Granny" Gordon (District Ranger), his wife and three daughters.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
Road is normally plowed within 1 mile of cabin during winter months for vehicle access
Bull River is 24.7 miles long, offering extended boating and fishing opportunities
Official operating season as verified in campground data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From US Highway 2 (to the north) or State Highway 200 (to the south), travel on State Highway 56 to the East Fork Bull River Road #407 at approximately the 8 mile marker. Take Road #407 for about 1.5 miles and turn right on Road #2701. The cabin is approximately .5 miles past the junction of #407 and #2701. Directional signs are present.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Kootenai National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Kootenai National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bull River Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Bull River Guard Station open?+
Does Bull River Guard Station have hookups?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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