Your own private mountain cabin (for a few days, at least)
ver dreamt of having a rustic
log cabin hideaway in a gorgeous mountain setting? Guess what? You already do, and not
just one but a choice of them. A somewhat little-known fact is that the U.S. Forest
Service rents out many of their backcountry cabins for short-term stays. During the days
when backcountry rangers patrolled mostly by horseback, they stayed in these cabins. They
were mostly constructed from the twenties up through the fifties, so there is a good bit
of history attached to them. Obviously, rangers no longer patrol by
horseback a great deal, and the Forest Service has decided to rent the cabins out for
recreational use. These cabins can be a great place to stay for a few days while exploring
the surrounding country, and an excellent alternative to tent or RV camping. There is
something about staying in a mountain cabin that seems to appeal to everyone, and these
Forest Service cabins fit the bill perfectly. They rent for relatively low cost, i.e.
generally about $20/day and are available in most areas with National Forest land. There
are over 90 cabins and lookouts available to rent scattered throughout the Forest Service
Northern Region, which encompasses Montana and northern Idaho. A catalog is available from
any Ranger District office, where reservations can also be made. Ask for the Recreational
Cabin and Lookout Directory. A couple of these offices are:
Northern Region Headquarters
P.O. Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59807
406-329-3511
Gallatin National Forest
P.O. Box 130
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-587-6920
A bit of advance planning is advisable. Some of the more remote cabins receive very
little use, but the most easily accessible ones are popular and are likely to require
reservations. This is not a big problem, though, and making reservations a couple of weeks
in advance should be plenty in most cases. The reservations can be handled via phone,
mail, and fax through the Ranger District office responsible for the area where a
particular cabin is located (this is explained in the catalog).
These cabins are somewhat primitive, without electricity or running water in most
cases, but that just adds to the ambiance in my opinion. Besides, if you have been out
hiking or cross-country skiing all day, and especially if it is storming, they will seem
like the Taj Mahal in comparison to a backpack tent. They generally come equipped with a
wood stove (the old-fashioned type), lantern, table, chairs, and bunks (including
mattresses in the ones I have used). Most also come equipped with some basic cooking
equipment (pots, pans, and utensils) and firewood. Toilet facilities consist of an
outhouse. They will usually comfortably accommodate four people, but some of the larger
ones will hold up to ten. The length of stay is limited, and varies from two days up to two
weeks, depending on the cabin. More detailed information on what is available at specific
cabins is contained in the catalog. In most cases, all you will need to bring is food and
drink (if you desire something other than water), a sleeping bag, and your personal
effects. The amenities (or lack thereof, depending on your point of view) make staying in
one of these cabins a throwback to an earlier age when modern conveniences we take for
granted were unheard of. Staying in one is like stepping back in time, and just the kind
of mini-adventure we love here at CHC. Staying in one (or several) of these cabins will
add immensely to a vacation, and will be far more memorable than any number of motel stays
(although there is something to be said for a hot shower).
The times when the cabins are available for rent vary. Many are available year around,
but some only in winter (or summer). Most of the ones that are open all year can be driven
to once the snow melts out of the high country, but require ski or snowmobile access
during the winter months. Obviously, the ones only open during the winter will require ski
or snowmobile access. This can vary from only a few hundred yards to several miles,
depending on snow conditions. Staying in one of these cabins is fun anytime, but is an
especially good alternative for skiers and snowmobilers. Having a warm, dry, comfortable
place to stay makes all the difference when the snow lies deep. Due to their original
purpose of ranger use, most cabins are well situated to allow access to a variety of
trails, and offer great exploration potential. Say what you will about winter camping, but
I think it is highly over-rated, and I have done a good bit of it. A backpack tent, or God
forbid, a snow cave just isn’t even in the same league with a cabin and woodstove
when it comes to comfort and cooking. It’s just a lot easier to enjoy yourself when
you’re able to get well fed and rested, not to mention warm and dry.
The National Forest lands where these cabins are located are generally not nearly as
well-known and popular as Glacier and Yellowstone, but offer comparable recreational
opportunities in many cases. They are also much less crowded, and use regulations tend to
be less restrictive, i.e. you can bring along your dog and let him run around a bit
without bothering anyone. Of course, common sense and good manners should dictate not
allowing your pets to harass wildlife or other people. Some of the cabins include corrals
for horse users, something I haven’t taken advantage of yet but plan to in the
future. Overall, National Forest policies are much more friendly to horseback use than
National Park ones, particularly Glacier Park. I realize that the Parks are much more
heavily used (at least close to the roads) and require more restrictions, but much of the
backcountry is virtually untouched and I sure wish I could take packtrips in it without
being required to pack along a complete supply of horsefeed, something I find ridiculous.
Forgive me for getting slightly off on a tangent here, but the less restrictive Forest
Service policies are appreciated and a lot more sensible, I believe.
The Forest Service cabin and lookout rental program is another one of those somewhat
little-known things that can immensely add to your vacation experience. My family and I
have greatly enjoyed staying in them, and I’m sure you will also.
rangers no longer patrol by
horseback a great deal, and the Forest Service has decided to rent the cabins out for
recreational use. These cabins can be a great place to stay for a few days while exploring
the surrounding country, and an excellent alternative to tent or RV camping. There is
something about staying in a mountain cabin that seems to appeal to everyone, and these
Forest Service cabins fit the bill perfectly. They rent for relatively low cost, i.e.
generally about $20/day and are available in most areas with National Forest land. There
are over 90 cabins and lookouts available to rent scattered throughout the Forest Service
Northern Region, which encompasses Montana and northern Idaho. A catalog is available from
any Ranger District office, where reservations can also be made. Ask for the Recreational
Cabin and Lookout Directory. A couple of these offices are:
and varies from two days up to two
weeks, depending on the cabin. More detailed information on what is available at specific
cabins is contained in the catalog. In most cases, all you will need to bring is food and
drink (if you desire something other than water), a sleeping bag, and your personal
effects. The amenities (or lack thereof, depending on your point of view) make staying in
one of these cabins a throwback to an earlier age when modern conveniences we take for
granted were unheard of. Staying in one is like stepping back in time, and just the kind
of mini-adventure we love here at CHC. Staying in one (or several) of these cabins will
add immensely to a vacation, and will be far more memorable than any number of motel stays
(although there is something to be said for a hot shower).
nearly as
well-known and popular as Glacier and Yellowstone, but offer comparable recreational
opportunities in many cases. They are also much less crowded, and use regulations tend to
be less restrictive, i.e. you can bring along your dog and let him run around a bit
without bothering anyone. Of course, common sense and good manners should dictate not
allowing your pets to harass wildlife or other people. Some of the cabins include corrals
for horse users, something I haven’t taken advantage of yet but plan to in the
future. Overall, National Forest policies are much more friendly to horseback use than
National Park ones, particularly Glacier Park. I realize that the Parks are much more
heavily used (at least close to the roads) and require more restrictions, but much of the
backcountry is virtually untouched and I sure wish I could take packtrips in it without
being required to pack along a complete supply of horsefeed, something I find ridiculous.
Forgive me for getting slightly off on a tangent here, but the less restrictive Forest
Service policies are appreciated and a lot more sensible, I believe.