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Rillway Cabin is located 14 miles east of Townsend, Montana along scenic Deep Creek in Helena National Forest. Its history can be traced to Dr. A.C. Kelly, a physician who arrived in Townsend in 1915 and served as mayor from 1920-1924. In 1918, Dr. Kelly obtained a term permit from the Forest Service for the cabin site. The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922, then sold to Nellie Hale Averill and her son-in-law, Floyd L. Hollaway. By 1924, the cabin was known as "Rillway," a combination of the Averill and Hollaway family names. Today the cabin is a comfortable, rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It offers the easiest access of any cabins on the Helena National Forest, being accessible by vehicle year-round. Several amenities are offered, but guests will need to bring some of their own supplies.
The cabin offers nearby access to a number of trails and roads. A cross-country ski trail is just up the highway and snowmobiling areas are close by as well. Deep Creek flows adjacent to the cabin, providing anglers with a scenic backdrop for fishing. The creek provides habitat for a variety of trout.
The cabin can accommodate up to 6 people and comes furnished with 3 sets of bunkbeds with mattresses. Amenities include a fireplace insert, propane lanterns, a table and chairs, propane cook stove, cleaning supplies, utensils and cookware. An outhouse with vault toilet is near the cabin. An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed. The cabin does not have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing during their stay. Fuel is not provided for the lanterns or propane stove, so guests should bring 1 or 2 small propane cylinders, along with backup lighting. Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. No firewood provided from June 1st - August 31.
The cabin is tucked back near a moss-covered canyon wall with Deep Creek splashing through the backyard. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds, including the more common elk, mule and white- tailed deer, squirrel, black bear, moose and a variety of birds. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.
The cabin is accessible year-round by vehicle. From the 4-way stop light in Townsend, turn east on Hwy 12. Follow the road for 14 miles and watch for the Rillway Cabin sign along the right side of the highway at the 14-mile marker. There is also a sign that welcomes you to the National Forest.
Please note, only right turns are allowed when you leave the cabin area. Approximately 1 mile to the east is a pull out; use this to turn around if you must drive west. Please respect the private lands that are near the cabin site.
I stayed 3 days and it was the best three days of my life.
We spent 6 days here and had a great time. The people before us must've had a party or something... FYI you're supposed to clean it before you leave.
We had a fantastic weekend. What a beautiful place for a cabin. The sound of the creek at night is so soothing. Plenty of wood for the 2 wood burning stoves. Keeping the cabin very comfy.
Rillway is rustic, no power or water, but it is comfortable, accessible right off the highway, has an outhouse, and is supplied with firewood. It is nestled right off Deep Creek.
This is a very nice, comfortable cabin with an efficient free standing wood stove. We liked that during May 8-10 when the weather consisted of light cold rain, small snowflakes (almost like sleet) and graupel (small snow pellets) for both days. The cabin has several games and a few magazines which helped pass the time. Perhaps bring a book to read.
The location is very good. One drawback is the noise of large trucks on the nearby highway; however at the back side of the cabin the sounds are those of rushing water in the creek.
Suggestions: Bring firewood; there might be some, but don't count on enough for cold weather. Small propane lanterns provide both light and heat. Bring extra toilet paper just in case (although it's only about 15 miles to Townsend, MT). We brought a compact 2 burner propane stove and extra propane, which came in handy. (There is a propane stove at the cabin, but it looked fairly old and we wanted to be sure we could heat up food that we brought.) On a cold mid-morning we drove about 30 miles to White Sulphur Springs and soaked in the nice spa there.
As we were loading our vehicles at the end of our stay, a bald eagle glided by - only 50' above the road and about 70' from us.
