Ibex Cabin

Ibex Cabin

About this campsite

Overview

Ibex Cabin was constructed in 1939 as a shelter for Forest Service rangers working within the Shields Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest of south-central Montana. It is available for summer and winter recreational use, and provides a peaceful, remote mountain retreat.

Guests can drive to the cabin from June until the snow flies. The cabin is closed April and May due to road and wildlife protection. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. The access road to the cabin may get muddy in the rain, so guests may want to call ahead for road conditions. In the winter, the cabin is only accessible by a 5.5-mile ski, snowshoe or snowmobile trip. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.

This cabin offers very rustic accommodations with limited amenities, so guests should be
prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear to make their stay an enjoyable experience.

Recreation

There are a number of trails in the area for hikers, equestrians and snowmobilers. Tresspass Trail and Cottonwood Lake Trail are good trails in the area to explore. Trails in the area may cross private property,so guests MUST stay on the trail.

Winter recreation includes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Big game hunting is also a popular activity in this area.

Facilities

The cabin has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to four people. Other amenities include a wood stove for heat, a propane lantern , a propane cookstove, ( bring propane cannisters), table, chairs, axe, splitting maul, bucket, broom, mop and shovel.

An outhouse with vault toilet is located outside.
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. A campfire ring is located outside, (collect wood in forest nearby or bring firewood for outside fires).

Electricity and water are not available. Guests must bring their own water supply, as well as cooking gear, propane canisters for the lantern and stove, bedding, matches, newspaper, first aid kit, dishes and utensils, toilet paper and other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out, prior to leaving.

Natural Features

The rustic cabin is nestled at the edge of a meadow in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. A forest of Lodgepole pine grows behind the cabin, and views from the front reveal the 7,354-foot peak of Ibex Mountain. The surrounding meadow bursts with color from wildflowers in the summer. Mule deer, porcupine and elk may be spotted around the cabin. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.

Location

IBEX CABIN•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TODAY☀️

21° / 10°

💧 3%

TUE☁️

19° / 11°

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WED☁️

20° / 9°

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THU☁️

19° / 7°

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FRI☁️

20° / 8°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

12.5 km away

PORCUPINE CABIN

Overview Porcupine Cabin sits in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet. It was built in 1914 after a previous structure burned down, and was remodeled by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Since its construction, the cabin has been used as temporary housing by Forest Service rangers while they were patrolling for timber poachers, watching for fires and monitoring livestock. Today, it is available year-round to outdoor enthusiasts, offering access to a variety of activities. Guests can drive to the cabin in the summer, but a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended due to road conditions. Winter access requires snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling up to 3 miles from the end of the maintained gravel road. Please park out of the way of snow plow equipment and do not block other users access or turn-around areas. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Guests can access the nearby trailhead for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use, heading east into the Crazy Mountains. The trails are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. Facilities The 26 x 44 frame house has three rooms and a screened front porch. It has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to eight people. It has a table and chairs, some cleaning equipment and a propane lantern available for use. A wood stove is available to heat 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 for indoor use during winter as long as supplies last. An axe and splitting maul should be available. An outhouse with vault toilet is located behind the cabin. A campfire ring is out front. (Please bring wood to burn outside). Water, electricity and propane canisters for the lantern are not provided. Guests need to bring their own drinking water, cooking gear and food, bedding, fire starters (matches and newspaper), extra toilet paper, flashlights, first aid kit, cookware, dishes and utensils, among other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out. Equestrian trails are located nearby, and a small pasture near the barn is available for cabin renter's stock. Please be aware that the pasture fence may not be secure. Stock is not allowed near the cabin or inside the cabin fence. Natural Features The cabin sits on a hillside overlooking the grasslands of Shields Valley. This vantage point provides a majestic view of the Bridger Mountains and spectacular star gazing on a clear night. Guests can look out at the northern peaks of the Crazies from the front porch. Porcupine Cabin offers a quiet and fairly isolated retreat, however, there may be some passing traffic from recreational users accessing the nearby trailhead. Deer, moose, bears and elk may be spotted nearby. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.

16.3 km away

Halfmoon Campground

A campground in the east crazy mountains on the Yellowstone District. Camp sites: 12 Maps: Halfmoon Campground Map (527 KB) Accessible Facilities: Toilet 6 Sites Trash Pickup: No Firewood: No No Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night. Information: Livingston Office 5242 Hwy 89. Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-1892

20.5 km away

CRANDALL CREEK CABIN

Overview 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. Recreation 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. Facilities The cabin can sleep up to six people, in three available bunk beds with mattresses. A table with benches, a wood stove for heat , a propane lantern and propane cookstove 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 or stove are provided. Guests need to provide their own water supply as well as bring propane canisters or battery-operated lanterns or flashlights. A propane two-burner cookstove is provided for cooking. A table is available to set up the propane camp stove. Guests need to bring bedding, matches, toilet paper, first aid kit, cookware, dishes, utensils and newspaper for starting woodstove and propane canisters for lantern and Coleman stove 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. Natural Features 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.

37.7 km away

BATTLE RIDGE CABIN

Overview Battle Ridge Cabin is a rustic dwelling located north of Bozeman, in southwestern Montana. The cabin was built in 1938 and is open year-round. It can be reached by vehicle in the summer, but guests visiting during winter must hike or ski a quarter-mile from the highway to reach the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation This is a popular destination in winter for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Hikers can find nearby trails. Hunting is a popular activity in the area. This is also an ideal spot for birding and watching other wildlife species. Facilities Battle Ridge Cabin is wheelchair accessible and has a capacity of up to four to five people. Two sets of bunk beds with mattresses and one cot are provided. A wood cook stove, propane lantern, table and chairs are also provided. A vault toilet is located in an outhouse nearby. A campfire ring is just outside the cabin. No electricity or running water is provided. A spring is located about 500 yards away, but the water should be treated or boiled prior to consumption. Guests need to bring garbage bags to pack out their trash, and they are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. Items such as bedding, dishes, dish soap, dish towels, lanterns or flashlights, extra toilet paper, extra propane and first aid supplies are not available. Natural Features The cabin sits in a meadow surrounded by the evergreen-forested slopes of the Bridger Mountains, including the 9,004-foot Ross Peak, one of the better-known mountains in the range. The Custer Gallatin National Forest provides habitat for species such as grizzly and black bear, gray wolf, mountain lion, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and the Canada lynx. Birders may see a wide variety of bird species. Nearby Attractions Bozeman is approximately 20 miles away, offering various dining, shopping or opportunities to get necessary supplies.