The Gardiner district covers the southeast part of Custer Gallatin National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park. Both Gardiner, MT and Cooke City, MT are within the Gardiner district.
Latitude 45° 2′ 7.2600″ N
Longitude 110° 42′ 49.6080″ W
The Yellowstone district includes a portion of the Crazy Mountains and covers the northeast section of the Custer Gallatin National Forest south of Big Timber and east of the Yellowstone river. It also includes an area of land to the west of the Yellowstone river adjacent to the east side of the Bozeman district.
Latitude 45° 44′ 10.7520″ N
Longitude 110° 15′ 34.4340″ W
The Bozeman district covers the northwestern section of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It encompasses much of the recreation area near the city of Bozeman, MT including Hyalite.
Sections surrounding Big Sky, MT and much of the Bridger Range is also on the Bozeman district.
Latitude 45° 40′ 19.5240″ N
Longitude 111° 5′ 17.7360″ W
A historic cabin known as Bennett Creek Cabin was located over a mile from this site, but it was recently replaced with the current Crandall Creek Cabin, a traditional
log structure. This cabin offers rustic accommodations with limited amenities, so guests should be prepared to bring most of the supplies and gear they need for a comfortable stay.
Access to the cabin is via a semi-primitive dirt road. Four-wheel drive is suggested on this road from June 16 to Dec. 1.
Guests who arrive after Dec. 1 must get to the cabin by hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling seven miles from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. No
off-road vehicles or motorcycles are allowed beyond the Shields River Loop gate from Dec. 2 to June 15. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
Activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, birding, hunting, horseback riding and during the summer months, ATV’s and motorcycles may be used on the main roads if street legal. Winter activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Excellent fishing is available in the nearby creeks. Hunting is also a popular pastime in this area each fall.
The cabin can sleep up to six people, in three available bunk beds with mattresses. A table with benches, a wood stove for heat and a propane lantern are provided. There is a mop and bucket for cleaning the cabin.
FIREWOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER.
DO NOT BURN PROVIDED FIREWOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES,EVER, AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. Firewood is available during winter months as long as supplies last. An axe and splitting maul are also supplied.
Both the cabin and adjacent vault toilet are wheelchair accessible. There is a campfire ring and picnic table outside.
No water, electricity or propane canisters for the lantern are provided. Guests need to provide their own water supply as well as bring propane canisters or battery-operated
lanterns or flashlights.
Cooking facilities are not provided. A table is available to set up a propane camp stove. Guests need to bring bedding, matches, toilet paper, first aid kit, cookware, dishes, utensils and newspaper for a comfortable stay.
A stock corral is provided for four animals. If the corral is used for stock, it must be cleaned before leaving. Feed must be Certified Weed Seed Free and out-of-state horses must have a current Coggins test. Water for the horses can be obtained from a creek nearby.
Crandall Creek Cabin is tucked beneath the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. The front porch of the cabin offers a majestic view of Target Rock and spectacular star gazing on a clear night.
The cabin is situated at an elevation of approximately 6,400 feet, near several creeks and the Shields River. This area is home to bears, elk, deer and moose, among
other wildlife species. Birders may spot a variety of birds.
Crandall Creek Cabin is located approximately 24 miles northeast of Wilsall, and 52 miles from Livingston.
From Livingston, travel north on Highway 89 to Wilsall. Turn right from Highway 89 onto Shields River Road. Follow Shields River Road until the pavement ends and turn right at the end of the pavement. Travel approximately 7 miles to a fork in the road, and take the left fork towards the Shields River Camp (approximately 2 miles
to the camp). About 100 yards beyond the campground, take a left onto a gated road. The cabin combination code will open the gate. The cabin is located 200 yards down this road. Due to road conditions, a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is suggested.
From Dec. 2 through March 31, the last seven miles of the access road to Crandall Cabin are not plowed. Plan to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile this distance from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. It is recommended that winter renters carry topographic maps and compasses for navigation, since the route maybe wind-blown and difficult to find. Signs may be down due to weather conditions or vandalism.
Latitude 46° 11′ 8.0002″ N
Longitude 110° 24′ 19.0001″ W
Maxey Cabin offers a quaint mountain retreat that is ideally located in one of Gallatin National Forest’s most popular recreation areas. Guests can expect a few creature comforts at the cabin, but they will need to bring some of their own supplies and gear.
The cabin is accessible by car in the summer. During the spring (from March 31st through May 15th) the road to the cabin is closed to motorized vehicle traffic every year. Guest should be prepared to hike or bike 12 miles to the cabin during this period.
During winter months the access road is infrequently plowed, so guests should be prepared with a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle or to ski up to 12 miles to the cabin. The final mile on the Maxey Cabin Road are not plowed during the winter and guests should come prepared to ski or snowshoe the final distance to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Hikers and equestrians have access to the Hyalite Peak trailhead that leads into an area of the Gallatin Range known for its waterfalls. Two accessible trails in Hyalite Canyon lead to the waterfalls. Bicyclists can use Hyalite Canyon Road.
Hyalite Canyon is a popular destination for backcountry skiers and ice climbers. Hyalite Reservoir is a mile away, offering opportunities for non-motorized boating and trout fishing. Elk hunting is excellent in Hyalite Canyon in the fall.
The main cabin has bunk beds with mattresses to sleep up to four people. There is also a wood stove for heat, a table and chairs, a propane lantern, broom and dust pan.
A smaller cabin is unheated and is only available in the summer. It provides bunk beds with mattresses to sleep up to two people. The two cabins together can accommodate up to 15 people. A vault toilet and campfire ring are located outside.
The cabin does not have water or electricity. Guests need to supply their own drinking water, as well as cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, bedding, matches, toilet paper, dish soap, towels and other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash removed prior to leaving.
The cabin is nestled in Hyalite Canyon, an area with beautiful wildflower meadows during the summer and thick blankets of pristine snow in winter.
Evergreen forest and the steep ridges of the Gallatin Mountains surround the cabin. Hyalite Reservoir is nearby.
This area is important habitat for grizzly bears, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, wolves and mountain goats.
From Bozeman, MT: Drive south on S. 19th Ave. for about 7 miles. Turn left onto Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62. Drive 11.1 miles on the Hyalite Canyon Road to the Maxey Cabin access road which is on the left (east) side of Hyalite Road 62. You have driven too far if you come to the entrance of Hood Creek Campground or Chisholm Campground. Travel about a tenth of a mile on the Maxey Cabin access road to the gate. The cabin combination will unlock the gate. Please close the gate behind you. Pass through the gate and travel for about 1/2 mile to the cabin.
Winter Route, December to March 31: Park at the Maxey Cabin access road just off Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62. Ski, snowshoe or hike the final 2/3 mile to the cabin. Please park in the wide pullouts to the side of the road so that snowplows and other forest visitors can pass.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please Refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map )
Hyalite Canyon Road, FS 62, closes to all motorized vehicles the evening of March 31 through May 16. Cabin renters must be prepared to walk, ski, or bike approximately 9 miles to the cabin when the road is closed.
Snowmobiles are not allowed at this cabin or anywhere in Hyalite Canyon past Moser Road FS 6210.
Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62 is intermittently plowed during the winter.
Latitude 45° 28′ 41.9999″ N
Longitude 110° 57′ 6.0001″ W
Lower Hyalite Group Site is located in scenic Hyalite Canyon on the Bozeman Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest. It is just nine miles south of Bozeman, MT.
The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and climbing.
Hyalite Creek provides great fishing for Yellowstone cutthroat, Arctic grayling and brook trout. Many hiking trails can be found in Hyalite Canyon.
The campground offers group site that can accommodate up to 100 people. It can be used for overnight camping or day-use picnicking. A large shelter is on-site, with picnic tables and a campfire ring. Vault toilet provided. Drinking water and trash collection are not available at the campground. Campers must bring their own water and pack out all garbage. Firewood available at Langohr campground for $6.00 per bundle.
Gate will be unlocked but closed on day of arrival. If assistance is needed please see host at Langohr Campground or call (406)646-1012 option 2.
The group site sits next to Hyalite Creek, at an elevation of 5,000 feet. A forest of fir, pine and spruce trees covers the surrounding mountains.
Hyalite Reservoir is just 6.5 miles from the campground. The scenic 206-acre lake offers many recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, climbing and picnicking.
The popular Hyalite Peak Trail begins near the reservoir. The 7.5-mile one-way trail gains 3,450 feet in elevation as is climbs past numerous waterfalls to beautiful Hyalite Lake and Hyalite Peak.
From Main Street in Bozeman, travel south on 19th Avenue for 7 miles, to the paved Hyalite Canyon Road. Turn left and continue south for two miles, to the group area.
Latitude 45° 32′ 44.9999″ N
Longitude 111° 2′ 58.9999″ W
The Todd Family began building Deer Creek Cabin in 1953 and finished it in 1960. They used it as a retreat while they grazed cattle on federal lands in the summer and hunted in the fall. The cabin has survived two forest fires. Gallatin National Forest assumed ownership of the cabin in 1993.
The cabin is open year-round, but access is challenging. There are three routes to the cabin that can be used by equestrians, hikers and ATVs in the summer. During the winter, by snowshoes, skis and snowmobiles. Snowmobilers will need to park their trailers down low on the Iron Mountain Road, keeping the road passable for others. These trails will be marked as to uses. These 4- to 5-mile routes ford creeks many times, with creek depths varying from 6 inches to several feet, in the spring.
Some basic conveniences are provided, but guests will need to bring most of their own amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.
There are numerous trails around the cabin that provide opportunities for exploration. Experienced cross-country skiers and snowshoers will find a challenging winter landscape.
Anglers can fish for trout in the nearby creek. The area offers good big game and bird hunting opportunities in the fall.
The single-room cabin has a wood cook stove and a wood heating stove. It can sleep up to four people on a provided double bed and set of bunk beds with mattresses. Other amenities include basic cooking supplies, a table with chairs, some cleaning gear, propane-fueled lantern,propane-fueled cookstove, axe, maul, bucket and shovel. Bring propane canisters for the lantern and stove.
A campfire ring and outhouse with pit toilet are located outside the cabin. Livestock may be kept at the available adjacent corral and in partially fenced pasture.
No water or electricity is provided. Guests must bring their own drinking water or treat water taken from the creek.
Items such as battery-powered flashlights or lanterns, bedding, matches, extra toilet paper and dish soap are not provided.
This remote location provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bear, moose, antelope, elk and deer. Many species of birds also inhabit the area.
Blackened trees from a 2006 forest fire still line the nearby hillsides.
Deer Creek Cabin is located approximately 30 miles south of Big Timber, Montana. It can be accessed by 3 different routes. It is recommended
that renters carry topographic maps, GPS and compasses for navigation since the route may be difficult to find.
One route to follow is the Placer Gulch Trailhead access by foot, horse, or OHV (50 inches or less):
From Exit 370 on Interstate 90 just east of Big Timber, take Frontage Road (south side of the interstate) 8 miles east. Turn right (south) onto Lower Deer Creek Road
(Forest Service Road #482) and proceed 16.2 miles to the Placer Gulch Trailhead sign located on the left side of the road. Park at the trailhead and travel Placer Gulch Trail 256 by foot, horse or off-road vehicles a distance of 5.2 miles, to the Deer Creek Cabin.
Jim’s Gulch Trailhead access by foot or horse: From Big Timber, travel 14 miles east on Interstate Highway 90 to Exit 384, Bridger Creek. At the stop sign, turn right
and travel south for 8.2 miles to the junction of Main Bridger with West Bridger Creek Road. Turn right and continue on West Bridger Road for 4 miles, to the parking
area. Park near the sign for Jim’s Gulch Trail 129, Lower Deer Creek. From this point, the cabin is 4 miles by foot or horse. Follow trail 129 up Jim’s Gulch for about a mile, where the trail turns sharply to the right (north) and climbs up to the ridge. Follow the trail to the divide where it descends steeply to Lower
Deer Creek. At this point, the trail junctions with Lower Deer Creek Trail 5. Turn left (south) on Trail 5 and follow the trail upstream for approximately 1.5 miles
to the cabin.
Tie Cutter Trail Head 370 access by ATV:
Go one quarter mile past Jim’s Gulch Trailhead to Tie Cutter Trailhead. This ATV trail climbs up to a ridge, then drops into Lower Deer Creek , accessing Deer Creek Cabin and other motorized trails.
During winter months, the road to the trailhead may not be plowed and could be impassable to both passenger cars and four-wheel drive vehicles. Please call the Livingston Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 for road conditions.
Latitude 45° 36′ 5.0000″ N
Longitude 109° 53′ 53.0002″ W
Fourmile Cabin is open year-round and offers guests a rustic mountain retreat surrounded by majestic scenery. The cabin offers an electric cooking stove, lights. A refrigerator is no longer provided. Guests will need to bring most of their own gear and supplies to ensure a comfortable stay.
The cabin is accessible by vehicle during warmer months, along a gravel county road. Late-season ice may require guests to snowshoe, hike or snowmobile up to 3.5 miles to the cabin. Guests arriving in winter should be prepared to snowmobile, ski or snowshoe up to 11 miles along the access road to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
Equestian and hiking trails are accessible from the cabin and head west into the Absaroka Mountains, branching out through the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The
winter landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Anglers can fish for Yellowstone cutthroat or rainbow trout in Fourmile Creek or the Boulder River. Hunting is a popular fall activity.
The two-room cabin has an electric stove and lights. A wood-burning stove is provided for heat. Firewood is not available from June 1st through September 30th. Please bring firewood or gather from the forest during the summer season. Do no burn provided firewood for outdoor fires ever, as it is extremely difficult to replace. Firewood is available during winter months as long as supplies last.
The cabin can sleep up to four people on provided twin beds with mattresses. Other amenities include basic cookware and utensils, some cleaning supplies, a table with chairs, axe, maul, bucket and shovel.
There is a campfire ring and a vault toilet outside.
Water is not available at the cabin. Guests need to bring their own water supply or be prepared to treat water taken from an outside source. Garbage bags are needed to pack out trash, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
Guests should also bring their own flashlight, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper and first aid kit, among other necessities. Please note, a refrigerator is not available, please plan accordingly.
The cabin sits at an elevation of 6,186 feet on the Boulder River, near Fourmile Creek. The Boulder River carves out a canyon between the peaks of The Needles, Carbonate Mountain and Hawley Mountain in the Absaroka Range. The cabin is nestled in the canyon in an open, grassy area surrounded by mixed
forest.
The location provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bear, moose, antelope, elk and deer. Many species of birds also inhabit the area.
From Big Timber, travel 25 miles south on Highway 298 to the National Forest Boundary. At this point, the paved road becomes county-maintained gravel road (Main Boulder Road or Forest Road 6639). Continue on this gravel road another 17 miles. The cabin is on the west (right) side of the road across from the Fourmile Trailhead parking area. The Forest Service sign at the entrance to the cabin reads Fourmile Ranger Station.
During winter months it is advisable to call the Livingston Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 for current conditions.
Latitude 45° 20′ 31.9999″ N
Longitude 110° 13′ 55.9999″ W
West Bridger Cabin is open-year round for the enjoyment of outdoor enthusiasts. Guests have access to a variety of recreational activities in a beautiful,
peaceful mountain setting.
The cabin in generally accessible by car, but spring and winter road conditions may limit access. Snow conditions can preclude wheeled vehicles for up to the last mile
to the cabin in the winter.
The cabin features an electric cooking stove and lights, but other amenities are limited. Guests will need to bring MOST of their own gear and supplies.
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails and roads heading west from the cabin ascend into the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and dip into the Deer Creek
valley. The 8-mile Derby Mountain Trail starts at the cabin and takes hikers around the east side of Derby Mountain, ending at Arch Rock.
Casual anglers may catch a fish in West Bridger Creek. In-season, big game hunting in designated areas is also a popular pastime.
This two-room cabin accommodates four people on single beds with mattresses. It has an electric stove and lights, a table with chairs, some cookware, dinnerware, utensils, and
cleaning gear, along with an axe, maul, bucket and shovel. A wood-burning stove is provided for heat.
PLEASE DO NOT BURN THE PROVIDED FIREWOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. USE ONLY FOR INDOOR WOODSTOVE DURING WINTER MONTHS.
There is a campfire ring and a vault toilet outside. Firewood is provided for use in the wood heating stove only. Guests must bring their own wood or collect wood from the nearby forest for campfires. Livestock may be kept at the small corral and fenced pasture, and hitching rails are also available.
The cabin does not have water. Guests must either bring their own drinking water or treat water from the nearby creek.
Garbage bags are needed to pack out trash, and guests are expected to clean the cabin and corral (if used) before leaving. Other items to pack include a flashlight, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper and a first aid kit.
West Bridger Cabin is nestled in a valley along West Bridger Creek. It sits at an altitude of 4,847 feet in a clearing surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains, some of
which are densely forested with evergreens, while others have sparse vegetation.
This area is home to moose, mule deer, elk and grizzly bear. Birders may spot bald eagles, owls, Stellar’s jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
From Big Timber, Montana, travel 14 miles east on Interstate Highway 90 to exit 384 (Bridger Creek). From the stop sign, travel south for 8.2 miles to the junction of Main
Bridger with West Bridger Creek Road. Turn right and continue on West Bridger Road for 2.2 miles to the junction of West Bridger with Derby Gulch. Stay right on
West Bridger Road for 0.7 miles. On the south side (left) of the road, at the turn off to the cabin, is a reflective sign (white numbers on a green background) 291.
The wire mesh gate on the left side of the road has 3 locks (interlocking) on it – please re-lock the gate the same way. The driveway to the cabin is approximately 0.2
miles.
Accessibility is generally good. It is advisable to call the Livingston Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 for local road condition information.
Latitude 45° 37′ 37.9999″ N
Longitude 109° 49′ 39.0000″ W
West Boulder Cabin is open year-round, offering a variety of recreational opportunities as well as relaxation. Guests can drive to the cabin in warmer weather but should be prepared to snowshoe, ski or snowmobile up to a mile on county roads in the winter.
The cabin has electric lights and an electric cook stove. A refrigerator is no longer available. Rental camping equipment, such as ice chests, bear spray, campstoves, etc., are available locally in Bozeman. Guests will need to bring many of their own supplies to ensure a comfortable stay.
Hikers and equestrians can find trails leading west into the Absaroka Mountains which connect to a network of trails in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The winter landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Anglers can fish for Yellowstone cutthroat and rainbow trout in the West Boulder River.
This three-room cabin has electric lights, and an electric cook stove. Amenities include five single beds with mattresses, a table with chairs, basic cookware and utensils, some cleaning gear, an axe, maul, bucket and shovel. A wood-burning stove is provided for heat.
FIREWOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER. Firewood is available for INDOOR use only during winter as long as supplies last.
There is a campfire ring and a vault toilet outside. Firewood is provided for use in the wood heating stove only. DO NOT BURN PROVIDED WOOD OUTSIDE AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE AND IS NEEDED FOR WINTER USERS INDOORS. Guests must bring their own wood or collect wood from the nearby forest for campfires.
Water is not available at the cabin, but potable water is available FROM APPROXIMATELY MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY at the adjacent West Boulder Campground. Guests must bring their own drinking water the remainder of the year or treat water from the river to use for drinking and cooking.
Guests are expected to clean the cabin and pack out their trash before leaving. Garbage bags are not provided. Visitors should plan to bring items like a flashlight, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper and first aid kit.
West Boulder Cabin sits at an elevation of 5,538 feet on the edge of a meadow near the mouth of the West Boulder River Canyon. The cabin is just steps away from the river and adjacent to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Aspen and lodgepole pine forest and the snow-speckled peaks of the Absarokas mark the surrounding landscape.
This area is home to moose, mule deer, elk and grizzly bear. Birders may spot bald eagles, owls, Stellar’s jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
From Big Timber, Montana, travel 16 miles south on Highway 298 to McLeod. Just past the turn off to McLeod, turn right (west) onto West Boulder Road for approximately
6 miles. It turns into Swingley Road. Drive on Swingley Road for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto West Boulder Road. The cabin is between West Boulder Campground and the trailhead parking area.
During winter months, it is advisable to call the Livingston Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 for local road conditions. Winter access may
only be possible by snowmobile, snowshoes or cross-country skis for up to a mile on county road.
Latitude 45° 32′ 51.0000″ N
Longitude 110° 18′ 28.0001″ W