Ninemile Remount Depot and Historic Ranger Station

This historic site has a visitor center and self-guided tour where you can learn about the Ninemile Remount Depot which provided experienced packers and their animals for fighting fires and for backcountry work projects since the 1930s.

Located on the Ninemile Ranger District compound, this historic site is educational, nostalgic and a visual delight, with its Cape Cod architecture, beautiful pasture and mountain landscapes.

The historic Remount Depot at Ninemile Ranger Station was established in 1930 when the Forest Service purchased the old Allen Ranch. The Remount Depot bred mules for 32 years to assist with fire suppression. In the heyday, there were over 1500 animals at the station with 35 animal packers. Today 200 head make their way from all across Montana, northern Idaho, and some from Wyoming to spend their winters here. We have a visitor center open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and a self-guided tour available any time of the year. It’s a great place to relax and look into some greener pastures.

The Ninemile Wildlands Training Center (NWTC) is also located at Ninemile, and offers yearly training in stock handling, dutch oven cooking, traditional tools, and far more.

The Northern Region Pack Train, housed at Ninemile, is a regional specialty pack string serving Montana, northern Idaho, North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota, supporting Forest Service projects and representing the Forest Service to the public with education and community service.