How much does camping cost at Eldridge Guard Station?

Camping fees at Eldridge Guard Station range from $75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Eldridge Guard Station first-come first-served or reservation?

Eldridge Guard Station accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Eldridge Guard Station before I book?

Yes! Eldridge Guard Station has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Eldridge Guard Station?

Eldridge Guard Station is open January 1 - December 31.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Eldridge Guard Station?

Eldridge Guard Station does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Eldridge Guard Station have?

Eldridge Guard Station has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Eldridge Guard Station?

Yes, pets are allowed at Eldridge Guard Station. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Eldridge Guard Station?

Eldridge Guard Station offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Eldridge Guard Station?

Popular activities at Eldridge Guard Station include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Eldridge Guard Station

Q: Can I have a campfire at Eldridge Guard Station?

Fire policies at Eldridge Guard Station: Firewood is provided from October 1 to May 31. Guests must bring or gather their own wood during other months.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.15

8 reviews

Hebgen Lake Ranger District, PO BOX 520, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Scenic ViewsStargazing

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

7,030 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

7,030 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Eldridge Guard Station

$75.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Cabin rental costs $75 per night year-round. This does not include reservation fees, taxes, or additional charges.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

406-823-6961

Help improve this page

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What Campers Say

4.15

Satisfactory

Based on 8 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsprivacylocation

"Reviews highlight the rustic nature of the cabin and the rough conditions of the access road. Many visitors appreciate the solitude and beautiful surroundings, though road quality and insufficient cleaning by prior occupants are common complaints."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Hebgen Lake Ranger District, PO BOX 520, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Eldridge Guard Station

Hebgen Lake Ranger District, PO BOX 520, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Nearby places

West Yellowstone (~33.5 miles), Big Sky (~1-hour drive north), Hebgen and Earthquake Lakes (within an hour's drive south).

Nearby supplies

West Yellowstone offers groceries, camping supplies, and fuel (~33.5 miles).

Driving directionsSummer Access: From West Yellowstone, Montana, proceed north on Highway 191 for approximately 33.5 miles. Turn left on Taylor Fork Road/Forest Service Road 134 and proceed for approximately 6.5 miles. The cabin will be on the left side of the road. Parking is in front of the cabin. Winter Access: From West Yellowstone, Montana, proceed north on Highway 191 for approximately 33.5 miles. Turn left on Taylor Fork Road/Forest Service Road 134 and proceed for approximately 4 miles to the small, privately plowed parking area at the Albino Lake Trailhead. From here, it is a 2-mile ski along the road to the cabin. Plowed driving access to the parking area at the Albino Lake Trailhead is not guaranteed.

Road access is seasonal and varies significantly. During warmer months, the road is accessible via vehicle but may become rough approximately 6.2 miles along Taylor Fork Road. Winter access requires a 2-mile trek by skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile after limited private parking at Albino Lake Trailhead. Snow conditions often make roads challenging, particularly in spring and fall.

Best Time to Camp at Eldridge Guard Station

Summer brings the best conditions: sunny days in the 50s to 70s, cool nights in the 30s and 40s, and mostly snow-free trails. Wildflowers peak in July and early August. Winter transforms the area into deep snow, with blizzards and cold temperatures making access difficult. Spring runoff and storms can wash out sections of the road, adding to the challenge of reaching the cabin.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer: wildflowers, hiking, mountain biking and stream fishing praised in summer reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1 - December 31.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round, but winter access may require snow travel.
Current Alerts: Guests should call the Ranger District for current road conditions during spring and fall.

About Eldridge Guard Station

Eldridge Guard Station is a three-room log cabin at 7,030 feet, perched at a meadow's edge where the Madison and Gallatin ranges meet. The cabin sleeps six on two cots and two full-size futons, costs $75/night, and has vault toilets, a propane stove, and wood heat. No electricity or running water. A locked gate offers privacy, but the access road is rough: deep potholes and uneven gravel favor high-clearance vehicles.

The Eldridge Guard Station offers a primitive cabin rental experience. Suitable for those seeking rustic accommodation, it is designed for year-round use.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best conditions: sunny days in the 50s to 70s, cool nights in the 30s and 40s, and mostly snow-free trails. Wildflowers peak in July and early August. Winter transforms the area into deep snow, with blizzards and cold temperatures making access difficult. Spring runoff and storms can wash out sections of the road, adding to the challenge of reaching the cabin.

ElevationPerched at an impressive 7,030 feet above sea level, the guard station offers that rare high-altitude experience where the air is crisp, the views are endless, and Taylor Creek rushes nearby with pure mountain snowmelt.

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabin sits beside Taylor Creek in an alpine meadow framed by mountain peaks. Wildflowers fill the meadow in July and early August. Grizzly bears, elk, moose, and deer move through this part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The setting is remote and quiet, though the rough road in means you've earned the views.

Geological RegionThis extraordinary location places you at the convergence of two legendary mountain ranges—the Madison and Gallatin—where geological forces have sculpted a landscape of dramatic peaks and gentle meadows. The guard station rests peacefully at the meadow's edge alongside Taylor Creek, offering front-row seats to one of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's most pristine grizzly bear habitats, where wilderness remains wonderfully untamed at over 7,000 feet.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

7-night maximum stay per group.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum overnight group size: 8 people.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThree-room structure with separate entries for each room. Kitchen area and bedroom are distinct spaces. The cabin holds up to six people with basic sleeping arrangements.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or through the contact center.

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable as first-come, first-served from June 20, 2025, through June 21, 2025. Advance reservations are required outside this window.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled anytime before arrival with a $10 fee plus forfeiture of any previous change fees. Late cancellations (within 14 days of check-in) also subtract the first night's recreation fee. No cancellations are allowed after the check-in day.

AccessibilityThe vault toilet is ADA-compliant. Accessibility challenges may arise due to the rough road conditions leading to the cabin.

Site SizeThe cabin sleeps six guests with bedding options including 2 cots and 2 full-size futons with mattresses.

PrivacyThe cabin has a locked gate, offering privacy. It is located in a remote area surrounded by natural features.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid the cabin unless driving a 4WD or AWD vehicle due to poor road quality. Bring bedding, cookware, and additional safety supplies.

Need help booking Eldridge Guard Station?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Fire rings

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of activities are available throughout the year, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing. "Visitors can enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the nearby trails, stream fishing, or bird/wildlife watching." Winter activities include snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh grizzly bear population requiring strict food storage. Winter travel can be dangerous due to avalanche terrain, deep snow, and weather conditions.

Active AlertsGuests should call the Ranger District for current road conditions during spring and fall.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFirewood is provided from October 1 to May 31. Guests must bring or gather their own wood during other months.

Emergency ServicesHebgen Lake Ranger District, West Yellowstone, MT (~33.5 miles).

Trash & RecyclingGuests are required to pack out all trash and personal belongings. "No garbage service provided. Please bring garbage bags and pack out all trash."

Water FeaturesTaylor Creek runs across from the cabin. It's not recommended for drinking without filtration.

Camp HostUnstaffed location. For general inquiries, contact Hebgen Lake Ranger District at (406) 823-6961.

Weather at Eldridge Guard Station

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

8 reviews

Satisfactory

Eldridge Guard Station is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the rustic nature of the cabin and the rough conditions of the access road. Many visitors appreciate the solitude and beautiful surroundings, though road quality and insufficient cleaning by prior occupants are common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the cabin's scenic location, privacy provided by the locked gate, and basic amenities like the propane stove and wood heater. One reviewer stated, "The cabin, mountains, views, stars at...

Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent issues include the rough, poorly maintained road leading to the cabin and occasional lapses in cleanliness. "Would be a much better cabin experience if they fixed the gravel roads," noted...

Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing high-clearance vehicles for the rough road, extra firewood, and all necessary supplies including cookware and bedding. "Do not come here in your sedans or SUV with FWD,"...

Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews appreciate the hiking and biking opportunities, while winter reviews often mention the challenges of snow access and the need for adequate cold-weather gear.

Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great cabin in a beautiful area," said one reviewer, while another noted, "If you do not have good clothing and sleeping bags in winter you will most likely end up bringing the mattresses into the...

Based on 8 reviews