Visitors to Montana can share a slice of the “Last Best Place’s” wilderness and fishing by renting a cabin site for a very reasonable rate. Montana’s blue-ribbon fly fishing is known throughout the world. Cabin sites are available by reservation through the U.S. Forest Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and private owners. According to Montana’s Official Travel site, tourists can choose among the 36 rivers, hundreds of streams, and 60 freshwater lakes adjoining canyons, caverns, mountains and valleys.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) manages cabin sites at the Lewis & Clark Caverns located in south central Montana along the Jefferson River. In addition to the extraordinary limestone caverns, the 2,700-acre state park offers bicycling, fishing, hiking, wildlife and bird viewing and hunting.
Cabin rentals include beds, electricity, electric heat, tables and chairs, and a grill for cooking outdoors. Restroom, showers, an amphitheater and interpretive center are a short walk from cabin sites. Some services during the winter months are curtailed. Tours of the caverns are cut entirely during the winter. The maximum stay for a 30-day period is 14 days, and prices vary depending on the time of year.
Lewis & Clark Caverns
P.O. Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759
406-287-3541
fwp.mt.gov/parks/visit/
The U.S. Forest Service rents Montana wilderness cabins once owned privately and dedicated for public use. The Helena National Forest cabins are located in the south central area of Montana. The Forest Service maintains the former mining cabins and homestead cabins. An example is the Rillway Cabin located close to Townsend, Montana. Trout fishing is available in nearby Deep Creek, as well as hiking, wildlife viewing and outdoor activities.
The Forest Service provides beds, propane cooking stove, fireplace insert, three bunk beds, outhouse and basic cooking utensils. The cabin does not have electricity, running water or sewer. The maximum stay is five days for six people. Similar Forest Service cabins are available on the U.S. Forest Service website.
Helena National Forest
2880 Skyway Drive
Helena, MT 59602
406-449-5201
fs.fed.us/r1/helena/recreation/cabins/
Privately owned Somer’s Bay Log Cabins on Flathead Lake deliver first-class accommodations in the area's pristine wilderness with access to fishing and outdoor activities. Somer’s Bay has two studio cabins for two people each. In addition, Somer's offers two one-bedroom cabins for four people A single cabin with a loft is designed for six people. All cabins have electricity, full indoor bathrooms, air conditioning, microwaves, Wi-Fi, cable tv and full-service amenities. A restaurant, pub, and morning buns are available in the summer and winter months.
Somer's Bay Log Cabins
5496 Hwy 93 South
P.O. Box 447
Somers, MT 59932
406-857-3881
somersbaycabins.com
The privately owned Yellowstone River Inn Cabins are located 49 miles from Gardiner, Montana, and the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The two Old West-themed luxury cabins are south of Livingston on Highway 89 nestled in a wooded area 40 feet from the Yellowstone River. The cabins offer the creature comforts of home, but in a wilderness setting. Nature hiking, fishing, bird watching and magnificent views are available on and near the site. Hiking trails into the back country are available one mile south of the cabins.
Yellowstone River Inn Cabins
4950 Hwy 89 South
Livingston, MT 59047
406-222-2429
yellowstoneriverinn.com
This two-bedroom cabin with loft will accommodate up to eight people. The site has a fishing pond, access to fly fishing on the river, laundry, kitchen, electricity, bathrooms and in cabin movies. The wilderness location is on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River known for exceptional trout fishing, deer, elk, mountain lions, and bird life. The cabin is available year-round, and ice fishing is available during the winter.
East Fork of the Bitterroot River Cabin
150 No Access Lane
Sula, MT 59871
406-821-3096
Email: [email protected]
