Helena National Forest

Recreational Activities

Eagle Guard Station

History of the cabin

Eagle Creek Ranger Station was originally built by Richard (Dick) Owen about 1895 as a home for himself, his wife, Sarah and daughter, Sadie. During the time the Owen’s lived there, the country was in a booming gold rush. It is known that Dick Owen worked at Hassel in the mines and possibly at the Park mines. By the early 1900's, the Owen's had moved to Radersburg, where Sarah Owen ran a boarding house.

In 1905, the Elkhorn Forest Reserve was formed, and between this date and the forming of the Helena National Forest in 1908, the Eagle Cabin was taken over by the U.S. Forest Service for administrative use. Eagle, Tizer and Glendale stations were all tied together by a telephone line that went into a switchboard at the store in Radersburg. The cabin is the oldest administrative log structure on the Helena National Forest and, in fact, predates the establishment of the Forest. Eagle was used by the Forest Service on a regular basis until the early 1950's. Riders from the Crow and Indian Creek Livestock Association used the cabin over the years up until the 1970's.

Eagle Cabin is the oldest administrative log structure on the Helena National Forest. Because of it’s historical value relating to the early history of the National Forest and its integrity, Eagle Cabin has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. From 1991-1994, the Forest Service, with the help of volunteers and donated materials, restored the cabin. Primitive building skills and materials were used to restore the cabin's original features.

How to get there

From Helena, travel 26 miles southeast towards Townsend, Montana. Turn right just before the bridge going into Townsend, you are now on Indian Creek Road. At about 3 miles turn left. The road will lead you down a hill and into a narrow canyon. You will pass under a conveyor belt for the current mining operations in that area. The canyon is narrow and visibility can be poor as it winds through the Indian Creek Canyon. Please drive slowly and use caution.

You will come to an intersection, continue on the right until you come to road #4031. Turn left and stay on this road for 2 1/2 miles then turn right and travel ½ mile to the cabin.

From December 2 through May 15th, the last 4 miles are not open to motorized vehicles, access is by foot, ski, or horseback.

What is provided

The site consists of the cabin, a woodshed, toilet, barn, horse corrals, a fire ring, and is surrounded by a jackleg pole fence. There is no available potable water or electricity. The cabin is heated with a wood stove and a propane camp stove is provided for cooking. There are three bunk beds that will accommodate six people. Also available are dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, firewood, axe, shovel, outhouse and cleaning supplies.

What to bring

Bring your own drinking water (or boil that from local sources), sleeping bags, warm clothes, food, and a flashlight. You should also plan on bringing one or two small propane cylinders to use in the lanterns or propane stove.

What to do in the area

Situated on the southeast flanks of the Elkhorn Mountains in a beautiful open grassland setting, the location is outstanding for viewing elk and other wildlife. It also provides centralized access to the Elkhorn Mountains with numerous hiking trails and roads leading to the Elkhorn's historical resources. Popular hikes include those to Crow Creek Falls and Poe Park. Historic town sites and mining areas such as Elkhorn, Hassel, Ruddville and Diamond Hill mines are nearby for those who are interested in the mining history of the Elkhorns. When snow allows, skiing allows for an up close look at concentrations of wintering elk.

Capacity/Rental Fee - 6 people/$25.00 day

Availability - All year(maximum stay 5 nights, 2-night minimum on holiday weekends) No motorized road access from 12/2 - 5/15.

The cabin may be available to rent outside of the winter use season, please contact the Townsend Ranger District for availability at (406)266-3425.

Reservations- Effective March 1, 2006, cabin and lookout rentals can be made through Recreation.gov or by dialing 1-877-444-6777 (toll free). The National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) can also be contacted through TDD at 1-877-833-6777 and Internationally at (518) 885-3639.

Eagle Guard Station Vicinity Map

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 04 January 2008 at 11:56:09 EST