Campsite Odds

Booking odds · October

Swan Guard Station in October: How Hard Is It to Book?

Swan Guard Station · MT · Flathead National Forest

The verdict

Lottery-hard

Booking difficulty 10 out of 10. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Sells out in daysBased on 3 years of reservation data

Popular October dates usually sell out within a few days of release.

Swan Guard Station in October scores 10 out of 10 for booking difficulty — lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical October booking was locked in about 155 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 108% full that month. The lightest arrival day is Tuesday, so shifting to a midweek start is the single easiest way to improve your odds.

Lead time

How far ahead people book

Same day: 0% of bookingsSame day1–3d: 6% of bookings6%1–3d4–7d: 4% of bookings4%4–7d1–2wk: 4% of bookings4%1–2wk2–4wk: 8% of bookings8%2–4wk1–2mo: 4% of bookings4%1–2mo2–3mo: 6% of bookings6%2–3mo3–6mo: 31% of bookings31%3–6mo6mo+: 37% of bookings37%6mo+Median booking lead time: 155 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

Best odds: arrivals are lightest on Tuesday in October. A midweek arrival is your easiest booking.

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Booking window · October 2026

When October reservations open

Reservations for Swan Guard Station in October 2026 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

October 1 stays open

April 1, 2026

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for October 1, 2026 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout October releases day-by-day exactly 6 months prior to arrival.

Facility note: Standard Recreation.gov 6-month rolling window: sites become bookable 6 months before arrival at 7:00 AM ET.

Fees

How much does it cost to camp at Swan Guard Station?

Swan Guard Station is available for $70 a night for a maximum stay of seven consecutive nights. Within the maximum window (a rolling 6 month window), the maximum consecutive stay rule is 7 days and there is a Stay Beyond Maximum Window where customers can book past the 6 month rolling window if there is availability on the last day(s) of the maximum window.

Fee details as listed on Recreation.gov. Rates and passes change by season, so confirm the current price on Recreation.gov before you book.

Plan B

Easier nearby options in October

If your dates are flexible, these nearby campgrounds are typically easier to book.

ANNA CREEK CABIN

MTHard

HOLLAND LAKE CAMPGROUND

MTPlan ahead

OWL CREEK CABIN

MTHard

FAQ

Swan Guard Station in October: common questions

How hard is it to book Swan Guard Station in October?
Swan Guard Station rates 10 out of 10 for October — Lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.
How far in advance should I book Swan Guard Station for October?
The typical October reservation was made about 155 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do October reservations open for Swan Guard Station?
Reservations for Swan Guard Station in October 2026 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for October 1 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Swan Guard Station in October?
Arrivals are lightest on Tuesday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

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