By:
Submission
The West Fork of Rock Creek Cabin is located on the western edge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and is open for reservations year-round. It is a large cabin that provides a great experience in the mountains of southwestern Montana. The cabin offers access to numerous trails and wildlife viewing, as well as a comfortable place to picnic and spend the nights.
There are three structures at the site, which was once used as a Forest Service Guard Station and later as a youth camp. Only the large cabin has been restored and is available to the public. The smaller cabins are damaged and are not available to rent.
The site can typically be accessed by vehicle, depending on conditions. Excessive snowfall may require renters to walk about 200 yards from the plowed highway to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring all of their own amenities.
**This is a historic structure** and is brought to you as a rental by the US Forest Service Historical Preservation Committee, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Pintler Ranger District. _Please help us keep it nice for future generations and respect the historic nature of this cabin._
A variety of hiking is available in the area, as well as ample wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter. The cabin is about 45 minutes from Discovery Ski area as well.
There is great hiking in open sage across the highway from the cabin, but there is no trail.
Fishing is popular in the many clear mountain streams adjacent to the cabin. Anglers may see plentiful trout populations, as the area is known for some of the world's finest trout streams.
The cabin is located along the scenic Skalkaho Highway 38, which links Hamilton and Philipsburg, in southwestern Montana. The drive into the Sapphire Mountains is primitive and was once a trail widely used by Native Americans. The roadway was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley. The road leads to Skalkaho Falls in the nearby Bitterroot National Forest; the road is closed to wheeled vehicle traffic in the winter, and is accessible by snow machine.
The cabin is equipped with 6 beds with mattress pads that can sleep up to 6 people. It is a large cabin so feel free to bring cots. The cabin is has two stories accessed by a staircase. It has a table and chairs and a wood stove is provided for heat. **Firewood is available, but not guaranteed.**
There is a very large parking area and circle driveway beside the cabin that will easily accomodate RV's and Travel Trailers. (There are NO hook-ups) The whole cabin complex is behind a locked gate.
An accessible outhouse with a pit toilet is located a short distance north of the cabin.
There is no electricity or plumbing and the well is only open seasonally.
There is little to no cell phone service available in the area.
**Guests need to bring their own Cook Stove and utensils, sleeping bags, pillows, lanterns and flashlights, matches, food, toilet paper and garbage bags. Firewood is sometimes provided but cannot be guaranteed. Guests are asked to replenish the supply of split wood and kindling, pack out all trash and food, and clean the cabin before leaving.**
**PLEASE be extremely careful with gas operated lanterns and stoves**
The log cabin is situated near the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness in an open meadow surrounded by evergreens. The area is known for its high, rugged, and beautiful mountain scenery. There is a resident herd of bighorn sheep near the cabin. The cabin is in prime wildlife habitat, and it is not uncommon to see elk, moose, deer, mountain lions, and bears(grizzly and black). Moose are frequently near the cabin and should not be approached ([learn more about bear safety](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bdnf/learning/safety-ethics/?cid=FSM9_003342).
The cabin is in a large, fenced pasture and horses may be turned loose but you must check the fence for damage before using it. As a reminder, pelletized or certified weed seed free feed and straw is required in all National Forests in Montana; please plan accordingly.
Moose Lake Day use area, 20 minutes south
Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Trailheads, 20-30 minutes south on Moose Lake Road
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine https://gemmountainmt.com/
The Town of Philipsburg http://www.visitphilipsburg.com/ , 20 minute drive
Skalkaho Pass and Skalkaho Falls, 30 minutes west on Skalkaho highway
Main fork of Rock Creek, Middle fork of Rock Creek, and North Fork of Rock Creek are all within 10 minutes
**Reservations are nonrefundable unless extenuating circumstances warrant otherwise. Determination will be made on a case by case basis.**
From Philipsburg, travel south on Highway 1 for just over 6 miles. Turn right onto Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38 and travel west for about 13 miles. The entrance to the cabin is on the left, behind a locked gate, which uses the same key code as the cabin. The last 200 yards of the road may be closed due to snowfall during the winter months. [Maps](http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bdnf/maps-pubs) may be purchased by calling the Pintler Ranger District.
The non-refundable fee is $20 per night. Any changes to scheduled dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service. The cabin is available year-round.
Nice cabin in the woods and mountains along West Fork if the Rock Creek
This is, by far, the nicest and cleanest forest service cabin we've stayed at. It is very cozy and easy to heat with the wood stove and generous supply of wood. The kitchen was well stocked with cleaning supplies, new dishes, silverware, cookware, a clean stove, and cutest refrigerator ever. I'd suggest bringing a plastic dish pan and large kettle to boil water in. The water pump is not far from the cabin. The water is full of minerals so not to be used as drinking water. The vaulted outhouse is a bit farther from the cabin, very clean, and painted yellow inside. We all enjoyed staying here. I sure hope that those using the cabin continue to take care of it and leave it clean for the next party. Thank you Montana Forest Service!
