Discover History

Did you know the Bitterroot Valley is home to the oldest surviving Forest Service Ranger Station? The historic Alta Ranger Station is located on the West Fork of the Bitterroot and was built in 1899. This one-room log cabin with a sod roof gives visitors a good feel for the rigors and hardships faced by the earliest rangers.

The Bitterroot National Forest offers visitors a unique recreational experience at one of its many rental cabins and lookouts. Get away with family or friends and enjoy an experience from yesteryear. A night spent in a Forest Service fire lookout or cabin can be a unique and memorable experience! There are three rental lookouts that provide stunning views of the surrounding Sapphire, Bitterroot, and Anaconda Pintler mountain ranges. 

Five rustic cabins offer a serene and relaxing getaway. With the exception of a few cabins, do not expect the modern conveniences that we have become accustomed to. Two of the cabins that can be rented out are the East Fork Guard Station on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River near Sula and the Magruder Ranger’s House on the Selway River in Idaho. These rustic, historic cabins offer easy access to fishing, hiking, nature viewing, and pure relaxation. Rental fees are used by the Forest Service to manage and maintain these historic facilities for the public to enjoy. For more information on how to rent one of the lookouts or cabins, visit recreation.gov.