Challenge Cabin
Open — Open for winter season December 1 through March 31. Closed April 1 through November 30. Maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year.
R1-2024-01 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.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
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, and South Dakota.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathe
Current Avalanche Danger and Forecast
Avalanche Danger: Know before you go! Avalanche Forecasts at Flathead Avalanche Center
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
4.4 miles of National Forest System Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
NFS Road 1625 is closed between milepost 2.84 and 5.08 for public safety due to road substrate slumping. This closed segment is from the junction with Rd #9881 at milepost 2.84 to the end of Rd #1625 starting 8/13/2025 - 8/12/2027 unless rescinded sooner.
Water Vessel Prohibitions
Violating State water vessel safety and operation laws and regulations is prohibited on all Flathead National Forest waterways.
About
Challenge Cabin provides a primitive winter escape in the Flathead National Forest, located approximately 60 miles southeast of Hungry Horse in northwestern Montana. The cabin sits in a 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. The cabin sleeps up to five guests and features a propane cook stove, lights, and a wood stove for heating. Furnishings include a table and chairs, a bunk bed, and a small loft for additional sleeping space. Basic cooking pots and utensils are provided. A vault toilet is located outside, and firewood is included for heating purposes. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, along with food, bedding, flashlights, garbage bags, and basic camp gear. Access to the cabin involves an 8-mile trek by skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or snowmobiling along a groomed trail. Visitors park in a plowed area along Highway 2 and travel south on Skyland Road 569. The cabin is not accessible by car. Cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are popular activities, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound in this remote location.
Directions
From Hungry Horse, travel east on Highway 2 for 51 miles to the plowed parking area. Then ski, snowshoe, hike, or snowmobile approximately 8 miles south along the groomed Skyland Road 569 trail. The cabin is not accessible by car.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| 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
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