Birch Creek Cabin

About

Birch Creek Cabin sits at the confluence of Birch Creek and Thief Creek, below a historic Civilian Conservation Corps work camp in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. This two-room log cabin served as a forest ranger station as early as 1908 and now offers rustic overnight accommodations for up to four people on bunk beds with mattress pads. The cabin has electricity and a wood stove for heating, with firewood typically provided during winter months. The surrounding Pioneer Mountains offer extensive recreational opportunities. Hiking trails lead to alpine lakes stocked with grayling, cutthroat, brook, and rainbow trout. Winter visitors can access the Birch Creek Loop and May Lake Ski Trail for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Old mining roads provide routes for OHV use, mountain biking, and horseback riding during warmer months. Wildlife is abundant in the area, including elk, moose, deer, pine marten, wolverine, wolf, and both black and grizzly bears. The cabin is remote with no cell phone reception. Guests must bring all bedding, food, drinking water, toilet paper, and garbage bags. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile for the final quarter-mile when snow covers the road.

Directions

From Dillon, travel north on I-15 for 12 miles to exit 74 at Apex. Turn west and continue about 8 miles on Birch Creek Road. Cross the bridge and take the first right onto Thief Creek Road. The cabin is approximately 1/4-mile west at Thief Creek. During winter, guests may need to park near the Thief Creek Bridge and ski or snowmobile the final stretch.