Lost Horse Guard Station

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Lost Horse Guard Station

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Year-round

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Lost Horse Guard Station
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Best Time to Camp at Lost Horse Guard Station

Winter transforms this high-country haven into a snow-draped wonderland, with heavy snowfall creating ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. The canyon's unique microclimate nurtures a lush mixed-conifer forest that provides shelter and beauty year-round, though visitors should come prepared for the area's characteristic deep snow and mountain weather patterns.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Best
Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

    About Lost Horse Guard Station

    Step back to 1938 at this beautifully preserved WPA-era log guard station, where hand-hewn saddle-notched logs and a distinctive drive-through porch tell stories of Forest Service history. Perched in the high country of the southern Bitterroot Range, this rustic retreat offers two bunk beds, wood heat, and propane cooking—your base camp for exploring alpine lakes and wilderness trails in one of Montana's most dramatic mountain settings.
    The site is a historic guard station log cabin with built-in bunks and cooking/heating facilities, located in a remote mountain drainage near trail access and wilderness boundaries.
    Historical SignificanceThis guard station stands as a testament to Depression-era craftsmanship and conservation vision. When Moose Creek District Ranger George Case requested its construction in 1938, builder Emil Schwartz created an exemplary Region One standard plan cabin using WPA funds. Just two years earlier, the Civilian Conservation Corps had carved the Lost Horse Road into these mountains, opening a historic gateway that still serves as your route into this rugged backcountry.
    Weather and SeasonsWinter transforms this high-country haven into a snow-draped wonderland, with heavy snowfall creating ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. The canyon's unique microclimate nurtures a lush mixed-conifer forest that provides shelter and beauty year-round, though visitors should come prepared for the area's characteristic deep snow and mountain weather patterns.
    ElevationNestled within a glacially carved canyon on the western slopes of the Bitterroot Valley, this remote outpost occupies prime high-country terrain in the southern Bitterroot Range, where ancient ice once shaped the dramatic landscape you'll explore today.
    Natural Features and SceneryTowering granite peaks and craggy cliffs frame your view from this canyon sanctuary, where centuries of glacial sculpting created a landscape of raw beauty. Dense forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and cedar give way to high-elevation stands of subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and whitebark pine as you climb toward Bear Creek Pass and Twin Lakes, both within a two-mile trek. Avalanche chutes streak down mountainsides, alpine lakes shimmer in rocky basins, and clear creeks cascade through the canyon—all at the doorstep of the vast Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
    Geological RegionSouthern Bitterroot Range, positioned at the threshold of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness with Bear Creek Pass and Twin Lakes approximately two miles distant, offering immediate access to one of America's most pristine wilderness areas.
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesBailey Lake Trailhead is within walking distance; Bear Creek Pass (~1 mile west) and Twin Lakes (~2 miles north) provide immediate trail access to nearby lakes and wilderness routes.

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    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Site layoutThe cabin features two sets of full-sized bunk beds, a wood-burning stove, a propane cook stove, a drive-through porch, native stone foundation and cedar shingle roof.

    Accomodation available

    Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

    Amenities available

    Lodging and accommodations

    Activities you can enjoy

    A wide range of outdoor recreation is available nearby, including hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, over-snow travel, horseback riding, non-motorized boating, climbing, and wildlife and nature viewing.
    Hiking
    Numerous trails are close to the cabin: Bailey Lake Trailhead is within walking distance; about 1 mile west is Bear Creek Pass with access to Bear Creek Trail, Lower and Upper Bear Lakes, Coquina Lake, Fish Lake and the South Fork of Lost Horse Creek drainage; about 2 miles north are the Twin Lakes Trail and Wahoo Pass Trail providing access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
    Climbing
    Climbing opportunities may be available in nearby natural areas such as rocky outcrops, boulders, or cliff faces. Visitors should bring appropriate gear and check local regulations or park guidelines before attempting any climbs.
    Fishing
    Fishing possible in Lost Horse Creek and nearby lakes reached by drive or hike. Species mentioned include brook trout, westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, bull trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish. Note: some lakes are in Idaho — obtain appropriate state fishing licenses.
    Boating
    Non-motorized boating (kayak/canoe/SUP) is highlighted nearby; Twin Lakes, about 2 miles from the cabin, prohibit motorized boats and are suitable for non-motorized craft.
    Wildlife viewing
    Opportunities for bird watching, photography and general nature viewing abound in the glacial canyons and mixed coniferous forests; wildlife in the drainage includes species such as whitetail deer, mule deer, black bear, elk and various grouse species.
    Winter Activities
    Cross-country skiing is popular with routinely heavy snowfall; some areas are groomed and there is abundant ungroomed powder. Over-snow travel is possible but motorized travel is not permitted in the Wilderness Area.
    Water Sports
    Non-motorized watercraft (kayak, canoe, SUP) on nearby Twin Lakes; motorized boats prohibited on Twin Lakes.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed
    • Firewood is not provided. Cabin includes a wood-burning stove as a heat source and a propane cook stove. No additional fire restrictions or policies are specified.

    Hazards

    General hazardsLandscape features include steep avalanche chutes and heavy winter snowfall. Wildlife in the drainage includes species such as black bear; no food-storage lockers are mentioned. No drinking water is provided.

    Weather at Lost Horse Guard Station

    37
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Mainly clear
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 72%
    Wind: 19.2 mph
    Mainly clear

    Weather History
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    Good to know

    Trash and recyclingThere is no trash service at this cabin — PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.
    Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Lost Horse Creek; within 1–2 miles of multiple alpine lakes (Lower and Upper Bear Lakes, Coquina Lake, Fish Lake, Twin Lakes and others).

    Campground Map

    Lost Horse Guard Station
    Driving directionsThe cabin is located nearly 18 miles from Highway 93 in the Lost Horse Creek drainage on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley. Access is via the Lost Horse Road (built 1936 by the CCC). Bailey Lake Trailhead is within walking distance; Bear Creek Pass and associated trails are about 1 mile west, and Twin Lakes/Twin Lakes Trail and Wahoo Pass are about 2 miles north.
    The cabin resides nearly 18 miles from Highway 93 via Lost Horse Road (Lost Horse Road was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps).

    Reviews from booking and map sources

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    5 reviews
    Limited Reviews
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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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