Vigilante Cabin

Vigilante Cabin

About this campsite

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 ).

Location

VIGILANTE CABIN•MT

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SAT☁️

18° / 2°

💧 1%

SUN☁️

19° / 4°

💧 4%

MON☁️

18° / 6°

💧 26%

TUE☁️

20° / 7°

💧 4%

WED☁️

22° / 9°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

15.5 km away

BLACK BUTTE CABIN

Overview Black Butte Cabin is a snug log cabin that sits high in the Gravelly Mountains. Originally part of the old Madison National Forest, the cabin was built in 1919 as an intermediate summer station for inspections of sheep allotments. It sleeps four people and has a beautiful view of Lion Mountain and the headwaters of Standard Creek. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and provides access to numerous trails for hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles during warmer months, and snowmobiles in the winter. The cabin is just off the side of Standard Creek Road 237 and can receive quite a bit of traffic on weekends. The cabin is open nine months out of the year, July through March, and can typically be accessed by vehicle, in summer and fall, however a portion of the roadway may be muddy or snow-covered, requiring four-wheel drive or chains. Snowmobiles are necessary to reach the cabin in winter, but not allowed until after December 1. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities, including water. Black Butte Cabin is closed on Mondays for administrative purposes from July into November. Recreation A number of hiking and horseback riding trails originate along the road adjacent to the cabin and explore various drainages in the area. Hikers can also summit Black Butte, just over the ridge from the cabin, on a user-created trail that leads to the peak . The cabin is an excellent base camp for viewing the expanses of wildflowers along the Gravelly Range Road (FS290) during early summer. All wheeled motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads or trails at all times. The area is also popular during winter months for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Snowmobile use is allowed only from Decenber 2 through May 15. Guests enjoy hunting in the surrounding wilderness. The area is home to some of the highest-elevation pronghorn antelope, as well as other wildlife. Fishing is available in nearby Standard Creek, where anglers might catch cutthroat and brown trout. Facilities You must call the Madison Ranger District at 406-682-4253 Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm for the cabin combination, if you have not received it. The office is NOT open on Federal Holidays. The primitive one-room cabin sleeps up to four people and has two bunkbeds with mattress pads. It is equipped with a propane camp stove and propane lantern, however propane is not supplied. The small disposable cannisters are suggested. A table and chairs, basic cooking equipment and a wood stove for heat are provided. Firewood, for the wood stove only, is available, stacked against the fence behind the cabin. We do our best to keep the firewood stocked. However there is no guarantee that firewood will be available for your stay, especially in late winter and early spring. In winter, firewood may be buried deep in snow. Wood is not provided for campfires. An outhouse with a vault toilet is located across the road, about 100 feet from the cabin. Guests need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as bedding, towels, food, toilet paper and garbage bags, among other necessities. Guests are required to replenish the supply of split firewood in the woodbox, pack out all garbage and THOROUGHLY CLEAN the facility prior to leaving. Cell phone service is not available near the cabin but might be available a few miles south along the Gravelly Range road #290. Tents or camping units for additional people are not permitted Natural Features The cabin is located on the edge of a large, grassy meadow in the Gravelly Range at an elevation of 8,900 feet. 10,542' Black Butte, the highest peak on the range and an old volcanic cone, overlooks the cabin. The cabin is popular for hunting an

20.1 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

20.4 km away

NOTCH CABIN

Overview Notch Cabin is located in a remote part of southwestern Montana, within proposed wilderness, and is open from July 1 through November. It is somewhat difficult to access, but worth the trouble for outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding landscape is thick with sage and grasslands, transitioning to timbered slopes that are home to a full variety of wildlife. The original cabin burned to the ground in 2019 and a replacement, following the design of the original cabin, was built by Forest Service crews in the summers of 2024 - 2026. The 12' x 16' cabin accommodates 2 people. A high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is required to access the cabin, which is located near the end of a very rough primitive road, with large rocks and deep ruts. The road may be impassable when wet. Motorized travel off of the designated route is not permitted. The cabin offers some basic amenities. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring most of their own supplies and gear. Recreation In addition to big game hunting, visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking and horseback riding in the area. While no Forest Service trails are within the immediate vicinity of the cabin, the Snowcrest Trail is within a mile. It covers the entire range, providing panoramic views of the area. The 40-mile trail can serve as a hearty horseback riding adventure, a lengthy backpacking trip, or make for several day trips. The nearby seasonal mountain streams offer access to fishing. Anglers can enjoy a possible catch of cutthroat trout, among other species. Rock Creel Lake, with fishing opportunities, is only a few miles away. The wildlife management area is good for hunting but also offers a perfect opportunity for visitors to catch a glimpse of wildlife in their natural habitat. Due to the high elevation and short growing season, supplemental feed (certified weed-free) should be brought in for recreational livestock . No pasture or corral is available. The final two miles of the access road to the cabin are not suitable for horse trailers. Facilities The cabin is equipped with a set of bunk beds with foam pads that sleep up to two people, a propane cook stove, basic cooking utensils, a propane lantern, wood heat stove, broom, dustpan and basic cleaning supplies. Firewood is provided, stacked under the trees behind the cabin. A primitive outhouse is located 100 feet west of the cabin. Water is available only from the stream and should be properly filtered, treated or boiled for drinking or cooking purposes. It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply for drinking, cooking and washing. Fuel (propane) is not provided for the cook stove or lantern. Guests must supply their own small propane canisters. Other items to bring include sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, matches, food, toilet paper and garbage bags. There is limited cell phone service available in the area. Guests should replenish the supply of split wood and kindling, pack out all trash and food, and clean the cabin before leaving . Natural Features The cabin is situated at an elevation of 8,470 feet in a notch between Olson Peak and Hogback Mountain, almost on the divide of the Snowcrest Range. The meadow between the peaks is only a couple hundred yards wide. A small stream runs less than 100 feet in front of the cabin. The Robb-Ledford Wildlife Management Area is nearby, which is an important elk and big game winter range that spans more than 28,000 acres in southwestern Montana. In addition to elk, the range is home to antelope, mule deer, upland birds and a growing population of grizzly bears ( learn more about bear safety ). Black bears and moose sometimes wander through the cabin site.

24.0 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.

24.5 km away

WEST FORK CABIN (S OF ENNIS)

Overview West Fork Cabin is a small, secluded cabin in the mountains of southwestern Montana, located high in the Gravelly Range. The cabin was built in 1928 as an intermediate station for patrolling grazing allotments. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and offers numerous trails for hikers, equestrians and off-road vehicle riders during warmer months and snowmobilers in the winter. The cabin is available from July 1 through March 31. It can typically be accessed by vehicle; however, a portion of the roadway may be muddy or snow-covered, requiring four-wheel drive or chains. Beginning around mid-October, snow may make access very difficult. In winter, over snow vehicles are necessary to reach the cabin, but are only permitted after December 1. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. West Fork Cabin is closed on Wednesdays for administrative purposes, July - November. Recreation The cabin is popular year-long, especially during hunting season. In early summer, the cabin is an excellent base camp for viewing the spectacular wildflower displays in Eureka Basin and along the Gravelly Range Road. Snowmobile use is permitted after December 1st. Visitors are encouraged to practice safe snowmobiling techniques ( learn more about avalanche danger ). Miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, which wind through the mountains and to the 10,542-foot Black Butte, can be accessed near the cabin. Hellroaring trailhead, just a few miles north of the cabin, leads to the extensive network of trails in the backcountry. Off-road vehicles must stay on designated trails at all times in the area. Facilities The primitive, one-room cabin is small and has a set of bunk beds and one twin bed to sleep up to three people. It has a table and chairs, a propane stove and lantern, and a wood stove for heat. Firewood is stacked against the outside fence or within a box on the porch. The cabin is also stocked with basic cookware, dishes, utensils and cleaning equipment. An outhouse with a vault toilet is located about 30 yards south of the cabin at the tree line. It is not visible from the cabin and must be accessed through the gate in the back corner of the fence. Guests may use the large administrative horse pasture, but the take-down fence is usually down and not maintained. Stock is not allowed within the small, rail-fenced area immediately surrounding the cabin. The cabin does not have drinking water or electricity. Fuel is not provided for the stove or lantern, which use the small one gallon diposable bottles. Guests need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Water taken from the nearby spring box should be filtered or boiled prior to use. Cell phone service may be available a few miles to the north near the Hellroaring trailhead. Items to bring include bedding, pillows, propane fuel canisters, food, flashlights, toilet paper, matches and garbage bags. All garbage and food must be packed out, and guests must clean the cabin and replenish the wood in the woodbox prior to leaving. Natural Features The cabin is located on the southern end of the Gravelly Range at an elevation of 8,460 feet at the headwaters of the West Fork Madison River. Much of the area around the cabin was burned in the Eureka Fire in 2013. Black Butte, the highest peak in the range and an old volcanic cone, is about 10 miles to the north and can be easlly climbed. The area is home to some of the highest-elevation pronghorn antelope, as well as other wildlife, such as elk, moose and bears ( learn about bear safety ). Nearby Attractions Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is a short drive south. Historic Virginia C