Can you reserve a site at Swan Guard Station?

Yes, Swan Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Swan Guard Station?

Yes, pets are allowed at Swan Guard Station.

Are campfires allowed at Swan Guard Station?

Campfires are allowed at Swan Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Swan Guard Station, Montana — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

1 bookable site
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: SWAN GUARD STATION

Site types

1 Cabin Electric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Swan Guard Station

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001	SWAN GUARD STATION	Cabin Electric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	—	8	🐾

Getting there

From Bigfork take Hwy 83 south towards Swan Lake. Continue through the town of Swan Lake to mile-marker 69, just south of town. The cabin driveway is just south of the cabin rental sign. Continue down the driveway to the cabin with the porch.

47.90944, -113.83528 · 47°54'34.0"N 113°50'7.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 82°F in Jul, down to 30°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	31	36	45	54	64	71	82	82	70	55	39	30
Low °F	18	18	26	31	38	44	48	46	39	32	26	20
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Swan Guard Station

Can you reserve a site at Swan Guard Station?: Yes, Swan Guard Station is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Swan Guard Station have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Swan Guard Station?: Yes, pets are allowed at Swan Guard Station.
Are campfires allowed at Swan Guard Station?: Campfires are allowed at Swan Guard Station. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Swan Guard Station also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Swan Guard Station's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

For fee information, visit Recreation.gov

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Swan Guard Station

Swan Lake Campground 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mission Lookout 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anna Creek Cabin 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
Swan Lake Swimming Site 2.1 mi · Facility
Billy Garret Memorial Bridge Access 13.3 mi · Facility
Peter's Creek Campground 13.5 mi · Campground
Spotted Bear Campground 14.4 mi · Campground
Van Lake Campground and Day Use 14.9 mi · Campground
Graves Creek Campground 15.1 mi · Campground
Devil Creek Campground 15.3 mi · Campground
Devil's Corkscrew Campground 15.3 mi · Campground
Handkerchief Lake 16 mi · Facility

Contact

Email anthony.butterfield@usda.gov
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Swan Guard Station