Thompson Guard Station in MT -- Campground & RV Camping

Thompson Guard Station is a 1954 log cabin in the Big Belt Mountains within Helena National Forest, set in an open grassy clearing against mixed conifer forest. It sleeps six across six single beds. Inside, it features a Monarch cook stove, propane lanterns, a propane stove, wood heat stove, table, and chairs. Outside sits a vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring, and fenced corral. There is no electricity or running water. Gipsy Lake is one mile south with a launch for non-motorized boats and rainbow trout fishing. Nearby trails suit hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter skiing.

Getting there: From White Sulphur Springs, travel west on Highway 360 for 1.6 miles. At this point, make a sharp curve to the right off the highway. There is a Forest Service sign at this junction that reads: Gipsy Lake 14, Townsend 44. Go straight onto the gravel road for 6.5 miles. At 6.5 miles, the gravel road forks at the entrance to a ranch. Stay to the right. As you drive the next 7.5 miles to the Forest boundary, the road will become more primitive. Within a quarter of a mile of the Forest boundary, a sign for Thompson Station will direct you to the right onto Forest Road #383. Take Forest Road #383 for 0.6 miles to a sign that will direct you to the left, and to a gate to the station. Access to the cabin during the summer months is good and can be reached by driving through White Sulphur Springs or from the west over Duck Creek Pass.The Forest Service does not provide snow removal to the cabin. During winter, snow closes the road and access is maintained to within about 8 miles of the cabin on the east side. Please use parking that is identified and do not block private land access. Access to the cabin is by snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobile. Generally, the road will open around the first week in June.

• Moderately separated here.
• The Gipsy Lake shoreline is 0.1 mi off.
• Mount Baldy stands 3,136 ft above the map pin, 4.8 miles southwest.
• Cabins and shelters rather than pads, with most of them shaded.

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