Axolotl Cabin

Axolotl Cabin

About this campsite

Overview

The Dillon Field Office is unable to make reservations for you. Please call Recreation.gov (877-444-6777) to book a reservation or book online.

Axolotl Cabin is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Ennis, Montana, in the foothills of the Gravelly Range. The cabin provides access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities and breathtaking views as it peers over the Madison Valley. The cabin is at an elevation of about 7,000 feet and is adjacent to Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area.

Recreation

Recreation opportunities abound in the surrounding area including numerous small lakes for angling, paddling, and relaxation, and excellent areas for hiking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The world famous Madison River winds through the valley below, with abundant scenery all around. The surrounding lands are primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management and provide a variety of recreational opportunities, including within the Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Certain restrictions are in place for WSA lands; please ensure your understanding of these rules and adhere to restrictions.

Facilities

The cabin sleeps a maximum of seven people. There is a full bed, a full-size fold out futon and two single bunkbeds. No bedding is provided. The cabin amenities run off of both solar and propane. The lights and refrigerator operate off solar power and can be subject to outages. The stove/oven operates off propane; please read directions of how to operate!! There is also a BBQ, wood stove, fireplace, and outdoor fire pit. Non-potable water available; please treat.

One small corral near the cabin can accommodate two horses. You are required to bring your own certified weed seed-free feed; no grazing is allowed.

Natural Features

Tiger salamanders in their larval stage (axolotls) exist in a few of the nearby lakes; please observe only, DO NOT HANDLE. Grayling can be found in some lakes. THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY. Do NOT leave food (human, pet, livestock), toiletries, or ANY ATTRACTANTS (BBQ tools, empty beverage cans, smores sticks, etc.) out overnight. PROPERLY STORE all attractants in the cabin or in a HARD-SIDED LOCKED vehicle when not in use.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (406) 490-9044.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors to the area may like to explore nearby Virginia City and Nevada City historic districts, as well as access the Gravelly Road scenic drive.

Location

Axolotl Cabin•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SAT🌤️

18° / 5°

💧 2%

SUN🌤️

22° / 10°

—

TODAY☁️

23° / 12°

💧 1%

TUE☁️

22° / 8°

—

WED☀️

21° / 7°

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VIGILANTE CABIN

Overview The Vigilante Cabin, also known as the Vigilante Middle House, offers a comfortable place to stay deep in the mountains of southwestern Montana along the Ruby River between the Snowcrest and Gravelly Ranges. The house boasts two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and has electricity and seasonal water. A bathroom, with a toilet and shower,is usually available from May - September. It is close to many outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking and hunting, as well as off-road vehicle trails and gold panning. The house was constructed in 1925 and served as the Ruby District headquarters. In the 1930s a Civilian Conservation Corp camp was established at the site and the adjacent houses and garage were constructed. The site also then served as a range experiment station. The white clapboard middle house is available for rent, while the two other houses on the property are still used by Forest Service personnel and volunteers throughout the year. Though usually quiet, this can be a busy site when work crews are using those adjacent facilities. The cabin is accessible throughout most of the year by vehicle; however, a portion of the road may be difficult to navigate when wet or snow-covered and the last mile may not be plowed in winter . Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring some of their own amenities. Recreation Guests can enjoy fishing the Ruby River for mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Gold panning is also possible in a section of the river near the cabin. Big game hunting is possible in designated areas. Appropriate licenses are required. A variety of hiking trails and points of exploration exist around the cabin. Off-road vehicle trails are also available in the area. During winter months, guests enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing on the many nearby trails. Snowmobile use is not allowed on the Forest prior to December 2 of each year. Facilities The large, two-bedroom cabin has a bunkbed and single bed with mattresses in each bedroom to sleep up to six people. It has electric lights and a water heater, though water is limited to May through September. The kitchen is equipped with an electric oven and stovetop, refrigerator, table and chairs, cookware and utensils. A wood stove heats the cabin, and firewood is provided, for inside use only. We do our best to keep the firewood stocked. However there is no guarantee that firewood will be available for your stay. Please consider bringing your own wood The living room is fully furnished, and there is a functioning bathroom during the summer months, with running water, a sink, shower and a flush toilet. The bathroom is sealed off when the water system at the cabin is winterized. An outhouse with vault toilet is available east of the house. A picnic table and a fire ring are provided but guests must supply their own wood for campfires. Guests need to bring their own water, including enough for cleaning, from October to May. Other items to bring include bedding, pillows, towels, soap, matches, flashlight and garbage bags, among other necessities. Guests are asked to replenish the supply of split wood and kindling inside the cabin, clean the cabin prior to leaving and pack out all food and garbage. If it came with you, it should leave with you. Natural Features Located along the Ruby River, the facility stands at an elevation of about 6,100 feet between the Snowcrest and Gravelly mountain ranges. It sits in a mostly open and grassy area with just a few cotttonwood trees around it, offering views of the nearby peaks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including elk, mule deer, black and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species ( learn more about bear safety ).

26.6 km away

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