Nestled at mile marker 46.5 on Highway 83 in Condon, Montana, Swan River Lodge stands as a distinctive piece of Swan Valley’s lodging history. What began as a unique log-constructed Super 8 motel has evolved into the collection of vacation rental condominiums that visitors enjoy today.

The Super 8 Era: A Log Structure Lodge

Swan River Lodge’s story begins with its construction as the Super 8 Motel – Swan Valley/Condon Area. Unlike typical roadside motels, this Super 8 was built as a log structure that blended with the surrounding wilderness environment. The building sits between the Mission Mountains and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, making it a natural stopping point for travelers heading to Glacier National Park or exploring Montana’s backcountry.

The original Super 8 capitalized on its location next to one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Marketing materials from the motel’s heyday emphasized the abundant wildlife visible from the property, including deer, bear, mountain lions, elk, and mountain goats. The Swan River flows just 300 yards from the back of the building, offering guests easy access to some of Montana’s best fishing waters.

Transformation to Swan River Lodge

By 2013, the property had undergone a significant transformation. The former Super 8 was converted into individual condominium units and rebranded as Swan River Lodge. The new owners marketed their “first summer in business” in 2013, offering one and two-bedroom condos that could sleep up to six guests. Each unit featured full kitchens, living rooms, and laundry facilities—amenities that reflected the shift from overnight motel stays to extended vacation rentals.

The conversion maintained the building’s original log construction character while updating the interiors for modern vacation rental standards. The Lodge quickly found its niche serving hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a basecamp for Swan Valley adventures.

A Sportsman’s Paradise

Swan River Lodge has maintained strong ties to Montana’s hunting and fishing traditions. The property regularly offered hunting season specials, recognizing that many guests return year after year during Montana’s big game seasons. The location provides easy access to national forest lands, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and prime fishing spots along the Swan River.

Today, Swan River Lodge operates as individually owned vacation rental units, with properties listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. The lodge continues to attract visitors seeking an authentic Montana mountain experience without the crowds found closer to Glacier National Park.

Historic Condon Loop Road

Just north of Swan River Lodge, between mileposts 48 and 49 on Highway 83, lies Condon Loop Road (Forest Service Road 124). This historic route winds approximately 2.5 miles into the forest, connecting modern travelers to one of Swan Valley’s most significant pieces of Forest Service history.

Condon Loop Road represents the early infrastructure that opened the Swan Valley to settlement and forest management in the early 20th century. The road served as a vital link for Forest Service personnel, homesteaders, and timber operations during the valley’s development period.

Old Condon Ranger Station: A 1920s Forest Service Legacy

At the end of Condon Loop Road sits the Old Condon Ranger Station, a remarkably preserved example of early Forest Service architecture. Constructed in the early 1920s, the two-story ranger’s residence served as the year-round headquarters for the Condon Ranger District, which was later renamed the Swan Lake Ranger District.

The ranger station played a crucial role in managing the Flathead National Forest during an era when the U.S. Forest Service was establishing its presence across Montana’s wilderness areas. Forest Service personnel stationed here oversaw timber operations, firefighting efforts, and the protection of public lands during a period of significant development in the Swan Valley.

The work center was relocated in the 1960s as Forest Service operations modernized, but the historic compound remains largely intact. The ranger’s residence has been carefully restored and is now available for public rental through Recreation.gov, allowing visitors to experience a piece of Forest Service history firsthand.

The cabin features three bedrooms with a mix of double and single beds, sleeping up to eight guests. Modern amenities include electricity, a full kitchen, indoor bathroom with running water, and a propane furnace. The screened front porch offers views across an open meadow to the Mission Mountains, while Simpson Creek flows behind the property through towering mixed pine forest.

Swan Valley’s Settlement History

The area surrounding Swan River Lodge and Condon Loop Road reflects the broader settlement patterns of the Swan Valley. The Upper Swan Valley was homesteaded relatively late compared to other Montana regions, with most settlement occurring from the mid-1910s onward. This late settlement means that many historic structures, ranger stations, and homestead buildings from that era still stand today.

The U.S. Forest Service permitted commercial logging in the Swan Valley starting in 1907, bringing an influx of workers and infrastructure development. Early logging operations attempted to float timber down the Swan River, though the river’s narrow, winding course made this challenging. Evidence of these early logging efforts, including old sawmill sites and springboard-notched trees, can still be found throughout the valley.

Visiting Swan River Lodge and Historic Sites Today

Modern visitors to Swan River Lodge enjoy the same spectacular setting that drew travelers to the original Super 8 motel. The property remains ideally situated for exploring Swan Valley’s outdoor recreation opportunities, from hiking trails at nearby Holland Lake to fishing the Swan River and exploring the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

The proximity to Condon Loop Road and the Old Condon Ranger Station adds historical depth to any stay at Swan River Lodge. Guests can easily drive the historic loop road, visit the ranger station, and experience the same landscape that Forest Service rangers and early homesteaders knew a century ago.

For those interested in Swan Valley history, the nearby Swan Valley Museum (located at mile marker 42 on Highway 83) offers exhibits on homesteader life, historic lodges, and Forest Service operations. The museum preserves artifacts and records that document the valley’s transformation from Indigenous hunting grounds to homesteader’s paradise to the recreation destination it is today.

Preserving Swan Valley’s Lodging Heritage

Swan River Lodge represents an important chapter in Swan Valley’s hospitality history. While the transition from Super 8 motel to vacation rental condominiums reflects changing travel patterns and preferences, the building’s log construction and wilderness setting connect today’s guests to the valley’s tradition of welcoming travelers to Montana’s backcountry.

The lodge’s location at 7391 Highway 83 continues to serve visitors seeking an authentic Montana experience, whether they’re hunters following in the footsteps of early sportsmen, families exploring Glacier National Park, or history enthusiasts discovering the valley’s Forest Service heritage along Condon Loop Road.