East Fork Pavillion Side View
Fire ring below the cabin
EAST FORK CABIN Exterior 2

East Fork Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov at $50 per night. During winter months (October through April), the access road may only be plowed to within 600-800 feet of the cabin, requiring guests to walk or sled gear the remaining distance. Contact Darby-Sula Ranger District at +1 (406) 821-3913 one week before arrival to obtain key code and current road conditions.

Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region

It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.

Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition

This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho

Northern and Intermountain Regions Salmon Wild and Scenic River: Occupancy and Use

This order enacts visitor use restrictions for activities within the 80-mile-long wild segment of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River corridor, including a one-quarter mile buffer from the river, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).

Northern and Intermountain Regions Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

This order implements visitor use requirements for activities within the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).

Annual Mill Creek Area Climbing Closure

The Stevensville Ranger District is reminding everyone of the annual climbing closure in the Mill Creek area to allow for nesting of cliff-dwelling raptors. The closure will start February 1st of each year and continue until it has been determined that no raptors are nesting in the area or until…

Bitterroot National Forest Food Storage Order

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-bear interactions.

Winter Storm Watch issued March 31 at 10:34AM MDT until April 3 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

10:34 AM — April 1st, 3:45 PM

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. There is a chance of moderate to major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches possible for terrain above 5500 feet, including MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, Lost Trail Pass and Lolo Pass. 2 to 6 inches possible down to 3000 feet, including Butte, Seeley Lake and Anaconda. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Butte, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, Georgetown Lake, Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, Lolo Pass, MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, and Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough. * WHEN...From Thursday morning through late Thursday night. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. For MAJOR winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy, wet snow may cause power outages and tree damage.

About

East Fork Cabin offers a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Montana history in the Bitterroot National Forest. Originally built before 1914 as a fire lookout guard station and restored in 1987, this rustic one-room cabin sits along the East Fork of the Bitterroot River at approximately 5,200 feet elevation. The cabin accommodates up to 8 people with two bunk beds and mattress pads, and is equipped with a propane range and oven, electric lights with one outlet, and a wood stove for heat. The site includes well-developed amenities for groups, including a large log pavilion with picnic tables, fireplace, and pedestal grills, plus designated areas for RV and tent camping (35-person site limit). A vault toilet, drinking water from a pump house, outdoor fire pit near the river, and stock corral are available. Firewood is provided but may require splitting. The East Fork of the Bitterroot River flows west from the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and offers excellent fishing for brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, with winter whitefish fishing when trout season closes. The surrounding area provides year-round recreation opportunities. Summer and fall activities include hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding in the nearby hills and wilderness areas. Winter transforms the region into a hub for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on over 50 miles of groomed trails. The area is home to abundant wildlife including mountain lions, elk, deer, moose, and bears. Nearby attractions include East Fork Trailhead, McCart Lookout, Lost Trail Ski Area, and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness.

Directions

From Sula, travel northwest on Highway 93 for less than a mile. Turn northeast (right) onto East Fork Road/County Road 472 and continue about 16 miles to the cabin. During winter months (October through April), the road may only be plowed to within 600-800 feet of the cabin; guests may need to walk or sled gear the remaining distance.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $50

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (406) 821-3913

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

East Fork Pavillion Side View
Fire ring below the cabin
EAST FORK CABIN Exterior 2
Pavillion Fire Ring
EAST FORK CABIN Interior 4
Pavillion and Grills
EAST FORK CABIN front View
EAST FORK CABIN Side VIEW
EAST FORK CABIN Interior 3
Pavillion Interior View
EAST FORK CABIN Exterior 3
exterior of the East Fork Cabin
East Fork Cabin Interior (bunks and stove)
East Fork Cabin in the winter
EAST FORK CABIN Exterior
EAST FORK CABIN Interior 1
EAST FORK CABIN pavilion
EAST FORK CABIN Interior 2

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