Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234566
When Thompson Guard Station reopens
Thompson Guard Station's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
3
Openings · last 90 days
7
Only 7 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 77 tracked site-nights (Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027): 53 open for online reservation · 24 reserved.
Where the open windows are
31.2% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 53 of 77 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027Not open online31.2%
Open site-nights53 / 77
Reserved (of online inventory)24 / 77
Weekday openings31
Weekend openings22
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 31 fall on weekdays and 22 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – May 2027April holds the most room. 30 of 30 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 site| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open | |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked night. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked night. New Year: no online availability on any tracked night. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Availability
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 01 | 53 |
This site currently has 53 site-nights available.
Next windows
As of Nov 2, 2026 snapshotNext open dateTue · Nov 3
Next open weekendFri · Dec 4
The next bookable night is Nov 3; the first open weekend starts Dec 4. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
53 open site-nights across 1 site at Thompson Guard Station, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 3 2-night, 3 3-night, 2 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Nov 3 at site 01.
All 1 site with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Not recorded | None | 53 | 33 nights | Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 29, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3, Dec 4, Dec 5, Dec 6, Dec 7 +41 more |
About Thompson Guard Station
Overview
Thompson Guard Station is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. Historical records indicate that the guard station was built in 1954 for rangers in the district, but it may have been used as a cookhouse for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp prior to that date. In later years, engineering and road maintenance crews used the cabin as lodging.
Today, the cabin is a rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It is accessible by car, but snow closes the road in winter and access is maintained to within about 4 miles of the cabin on the east side. During these periods, guests should be prepared to reach the cabin by snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobile. The cabin offers many amenities, but guests must bring some of their own gear and supplies.
Recreation
Gipsy Lake is 1 mile south of the cabin and is accessible by vehicle. It offers rainbow trout fishing and a launch for non-motorized boats. Another 3 miles south of Gipsy Lake are Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake and Edith Lake.
A number of multi-use trails and roads are in the area, offering chances to hike, mountain bike or ride horses. The winter landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Facilities
The guard station is furnished with 6 single beds with mattresses to accommodate up to 6 people. The cabin has a Monarch cook stove, propane lanterns, propane stove and a wood heat stove. Other amenities include a table and chairs, cleaning supplies, dishes, utensils and cookware.
An outhouse with vault toilet, picnic table and a campfire ring are near the cabin. An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed. There is a fenced corral just below the cabin.
The cabin does not have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Fuel is not provided for the propane lanterns or stove, so guests should bring 1 or 2 small propane cylinders, along with backup lighting.
Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
No firewood provided from June 1st - August 31.
Natural Features
Thompson Guard Station sits in a grassy, open clearing backed by mixed conifer forest.
The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes.
Wildlife in the area abounds. Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, squirrels and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.
Nearby Attractions
Canyon Ferry Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, perch, ling and walleye. The wildlife viewing near the lake is quite impressive as well. It is one of the best in the country for viewing large concentrations of bald eagles. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is home to a colony of terns and pelicans.
White Sulphur Springs is about 17 miles away and, as the name implies, there is a hot spring open to the public, which is owned by a local motel.
1 monitored siteNo hookups1 shadedMax party 8
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.
415 S. Front Street, Townsend, MT 59644406-266-3425
BikingCampingFishingHikingHorseback RidingHuntingWildlife ViewingWinter Sports
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-234566 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-234566 · Thompson Guard Station · Townsend MT5 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Thompson Guard Station?
Reservations for Thompson Guard Station are made through Recreation.gov. 53 of 77 tracked site-nights are currently open (68.8%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 7 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 18:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Thompson Guard Station?
Campsite Sniper detected 7 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Thompson Guard Station?
3 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Nov 3 at site 01. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Thompson Guard Station?
April 2027, with 30 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 30.
When is the next open date at Thompson Guard Station?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Tue, Nov 3 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Dec 4. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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