Closed

Closed for the season. Challenge Cabin is available only during winter, December 1 through March 31. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov. Access requires an 8-mile ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile trek from the Highway 2 parking area.

Flood Warning issued June 29 at 1:45PM MDT until June 30 at 10:45AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

June 29th, 1:45 PM — 10:45 AM

* WHAT...Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Northeastern Flathead County in northwestern Montana... * WHEN...Until 1045 AM MDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of creeks and small streams in Glacier National Park is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from ongoing rainfall. Expect many areas of slow moving or standing water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 143 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain. Flooding is already occurring in the warned area. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Lake McDonald, Apgar, Nyack and Pinnacle. - https://www.weather.gov/mso/hydrology

Flathead National Forest

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

Flathead National Forest

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.

About

Challenge Cabin offers a primitive winter retreat in Flathead National Forest, about 60 miles southeast of Hungry Horse in northwestern Montana. The cabin sits in a peaceful meadow surrounded by Douglas fir and pine trees near Challenge Creek, with the Hungry Horse Ranger District bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. Access requires parking along Highway 2 and trekking 8 miles via cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling along a groomed trail. The cabin accommodates up to five guests and features a wood stove with firewood provided, propane cook stove and lights, a bunk bed, small loft, table and chairs, and basic cooking utensils. An outdoor vault toilet is available. There is no potable water, electricity, or sewer; guests must bring their own drinking water and bedding. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov with a maximum stay of three consecutive nights and seven total days per calendar year. The area is grizzly bear country, so food, beverages, coolers, and garbage must be stored inside the cabin. All trash must be packed out. The nearest grocery stores are in East Glacier and Hungry Horse, each about an hour-and-a-half drive plus the 8-mile trek from the cabin.

Directions

From Hungry Horse, travel east on Highway 2 for 51 miles, then turn south on Skyland Road 569. Park in the plowed area along Highway 2. The cabin is 8 miles from the parking area via hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling along the groomed trail. The cabin is not accessible by vehicle.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
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) 387-3800

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Challenge Cabin looking West toward Baldhead
Challenge in December
Winter Wonderland
Interior of Challenge
Challenge Interior

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