Bear Creek Cabin (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)

Yellowstone

Bear Creek Cabin (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT) in Yellowstone — photo 4

Bear Creek Cabin (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)

Yellowstone

About this campsite

Overview

The Bear Creek Cabin, located at the base of the west slope of the Madison Range, allows visitors to experience southwestern Montana's vast wilderness areas, including wide open fields and a variety of nearby mountain ranges. Situated on the Trail Fork of Bear Creek, the cabin offers a scenic location to enjoy activities such as hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, as well as hiking and horseback riding on nearby trails. A smaller cabin, Bear Creek Bunkhouse, is located about 100 feet to the west and is also on the rental program.

The cabin is used as an administrative site in the summer and fall months, but is open to the public between December and April. The site can be accessed by vehicle, however, a portion of the road may be muddy or snow-covered, as it is not always plowed. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities, including water.

Recreation

There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. The trails are popular among visitors for cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. The nearby wilderness areas do not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles. Camping and fishing in the backcountry are allowed, but the proper permits are required. The Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area immediately to the north of the cabin is closed to all off-trail access, including foot traffic, between Dec. 2 and May 15.

Facilities

The large, two-room cabin can sleep four people comfortably with one set of bunk beds and two single beds, each with a mattress. The cabin has electricity and is equipped with lights, a refrigerator, a stove and an oven. A table with chairs and basic cooking equipment are also provided.

The cabin has a wood stove for heat and comes with firewood, which is usually stacked on the porch and to the south side of the cabin, though not guaranteed by March and April. Firewood is not supplied for campfires, only for cabin heating. Renters must supply their own wood for campfires. An outhouse with vault toilets is located 40 feet south of the cabin and there are two additional concrete vault toilets in the adjacent campground to the west.

Visitors must bring their own water; the creek is the only source of fresh water and may be difficult to access during the winter. Sleeping bags and blankets are not supplied, and users will need to bring their own food, toilet paper and garbage bags, among other necessities.

Garbage and cleaning services are not provided. Renters must clean the facility prior to departure, as well as replenish the supply of split wood and kindling.

Natural Features

The facility is located at the edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, at the foot of the Madison Range. The cabin is situated at an elevation of 6,250 feet, amid open meadows that are surrounded by mature aspens and Douglas fir trees. Bear Creek runs near the cabin and nearby bunkhouse, and the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area lies immediately to the north. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, black bears and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species (learn more about bear safety).

Nearby Attractions

Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Lewis and Clark Caverns is about 60 miles north. The historic towns of Virginia City and Nevada City are about 3 miles west.

Location

Bear Creek Cabin (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)•MT

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Weather Forecast

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SAT☁️

20° / 7°

💧 1%

SUN☀️

25° / 13°

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TODAY☁️

26° / 14°

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TUE☀️

24° / 11°

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WED☀️

24° / 10°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)

Overview The Bear Creek Bunkhouse allows visitors to experience southwestern Montana's vast wilderness areas, including wide open hills and the Lee Metcalf Widerness in the Madison mountain range . Situated on the Trail Fork of Bear Creek, the cabin offers a scenic location to enjoy nature. The cabin was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as crew quarters and a garage. A larger cabin is located about 100 feet to the east and is also on the rental progarm. The bunkhouse is used as an administrative site in the summer, but is open to the public between December and April. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing, though the state lands to the north of the cabin are closed to entry, being a Wildlife Management Area. The site can be accessed by vehicle, however, a portion of the road may be muddy or snow-covered, as it is not always plowed. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities, including water for drinking and cleaning. Recreation Bear Creek is a very popular trailhead during all seasons but especially during hunting season. There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. This trailhead provides access to climb Sphinx Mountain, a must-do for many visitors. The trails are popular among visitors for cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. The nearby wilderness area does not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles. Camping and fishing in the backcountry is allowed, with the proper permits. The Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area immediately to the north of the cabin is closed to all off-trail access, including foot traffic, between Dec. 2 and May 15. Facilities This one room cabin has electricity and lights as well as two single beds with foam pads, which can accommodate up to two people. In addition to the beds, there is a table with chairs, refrigerator, stove, oven, basic cooking equipment and cleaning supplies. The cabin has a wood stove for heat and firewood is provided and stacked to the east of the cabin. A rustic outhouse is located 150 feet east of the bunkhouse, near the larger cabin. Two additional toilets are available at the adjacent campground. Visitors need to bring their own water, including for cleaning; the creek is the only source of water and may be difficult to access during the winter if the snow is deep. Sleeping bags and blankets are not supplied, and users will need to bring their own food, toilet paper and garbage bags. Garbage and cleaning services are not provided. There are no facilities for horses at the cabins or within the fenced cabin area. There are hitchrails and corrals in the adjacent campground but they may be occupied by the campsite users. Renters must clean the facility prior to departure, as well as replenish the supply of split wood and kindling. We do our best to keep the firewood stocked but the supply can not be guaranteed. Visitors may want to bring their own wood, especially by March and April, and must supply their own wood for campfires at all times. Natural Features The facility is located at the edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, at the foot of the Madison Range. The bunkhouse is situated at an elevation of 6,250 feet, amid open meadows that are surrounded by mature aspen and Douglas fir trees. Bear Creek runs just behind the bunkhouse and nearby cabin, and the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area (closed December 2 - May 15) lies immediately to the north. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, black bears and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species (learn more about bear safety). Nearby Attractions Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of the west entrance to Yellowstone Park and abo

11.0 km away

Cedar Camp

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YELLOW MULE CABIN

Overview Yellow Mule Cabin was built in 1920 and was once used as a ranger station. This cabin is unique because it was constructed according to the builder's preference instead of being built with a standard Forest Service design. It is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin provides a rustic, backcountry retreat year-round. A few basic amenities are provided, so guests should be prepared to bring most of the supplies and gear they need for an enjoyable experience. This remote cabin is not accessible by car. Summer access is via off-road vehicle, motorcycle or hiking for 8 miles. Winter access is by snowmobile for 14 miles. Recreation This cabin is popular with snowmobilers because of its proximity to the Buck Creek Ridge Trail, which offers a 1,000 foot elevation gain. Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders enjoy this trail in the summer. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers can also access McAtee Basin. Hunting in designated areas is another popular pastime. Facilities This 12 x 14 single-room cabin can sleep up to three people and comes with three cots. A wood stove is provided for heat. Basic cookware, utensils, a propane lantern and a dining table with chairs are available. An outhouse with a vault toilet is located just outside. Water, electricity, cooking facilities and firewood are not provided. Guests must bring their own water supply and trash bags to pack out trash, as well as bedding, matches, first aid supplies, extra toilet paper and battery-operated lanterns or flashlights. Natural Features The cabin sits between a meadow and a stand of mixed evergreens at an elevation of approximately 8,650 feet. Wildflowers bloom across the meadow in the summer and a thick layer of pristine snow blankets the area in winter. The jagged, glaciated peaks of the Madison Mountain Range stretch out into the distance. Wildlife in this area includes grizzly bear, gray wolf, mountain lion, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and the Canada lynx. Birders may see a wide variety of bird species.

19.7 km away

Palisades Campground

The Palisades Recreation Area is located on the Upper Madison River, 5 river miles upstream of Ruby Creek Recreation Area and 25 miles south of Ennis. The campground has 10 camping sites with 2 accessible vault toilets and a campground host pad. A separate day use site with a paved boat launch and parking area is located near the campground.

20.2 km away

WALL CREEK CABIN

Overview Located at the east base of the Gravelly Range, Wall Creek Cabin is a small dwelling that gives guests access to prime elk and deer viewing, as access is through a state Wildlife Management Area. It is typically open to the public from mid-May through November, offering ample opportunity to explore southwestern Montana. Built in about 1930, the rental cabin was originally a crew quarters/warehouse/garage. The compound served as headquarters for the Wall Creek Ranger District, later the Madison District, until the 1940s. There are currently four log buildings at the site, including the small rental cabin, a barn and a main "Ranger" cabin and it's woodshed. The barn and corral and main cabin are used by grazing permit holders. Only the smaller cabin with a small holding corral is available for public use. Though usually quiet, there may be work activity associated with grazing management, with cowboys, horses and dogs living at the site, and their days often start early. The site can easily be reached by vehicle though roads may be muddy or snow covered. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Big game hunting is by far the most popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the cabin. The area and surrounding wilderness is thick with wildlife. Hunters must have appropriate licensure to hunt in the state of Montana, and hunting is only allowed in designated areas. Wildlife viewing is popular, as animals often come near the cabin. Hunters often park and walk through the site to access a trail behind the cabin and barn. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are available in the area, as well as trails for off-road vehicles. Motorized trailhead access is about a mile north of the cabin on Bucks Nest and the non-motorized Hyde Creek trail is just north of the administrative site. Facilities The primitive cabin is small, with a single room with an entry room which was formerly the garage. It is equipped with two sets of bunk beds with foam pads and can sleep up to four people. Other amenities include a 2 burner propane cook stove, propane lantern, table and chairs, cleaning supplies, basic cooking utensils, cooking pots and a wood stove for heat. Firewood may be stacked against the fence to the west of the cabin, but the firewood supply cannot be guaranteed. Split wood is stored in the box in the porch. A primitive outhouse with vault toilet is located 100 feet north of the cabin. The only water that may be available is at a spigot at the horse trough. Primarily for stock use, the water must be properly filtered, treated or boiled for drinking or cooking purposes. Propane is not provided for the cook stove or lantern, so guests will need to bring small disposable propane canisters. There may be minimal cell phone service in the area. Other items to bring include sleeping bags and pillows, matches, flashlight, food, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and garbage bags. Guests are expected to pack out all trash and food and clean the cabin before leaving. The firewood supply in the wood box should also be replenished. Natural Features The cabin is located on the edge of the Madison River Valley and the Gravelly Mountains at an elevation of 6,150 feet. It sits in an open, grassy area backed by forested slopes. This is a popular destination for big game hunters and for wildlife lovers who want to view elk in the fall, due to its proximity to the Wall Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is also home to deer, moose, antelope and bears (learn more about bear safety ). Nearby Attractions Yellowstone National Park is about 60 miles southeast. Wade and Cliff