Montana / Sweet Grass County / Custer Gallatin National Forest

Deer Creek Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations at $25 per night. Winter access roads may not be plowed and could be impassable; contact the Livingston Office at (406) 222-1892 for current road conditions. Limited firewood available on-site.

About

Deer Creek Cabin offers an authentic backcountry experience in the Absaroka-Beartooth foothills, approximately 30 miles south of Big Timber. Built by the Todd Family between 1953 and 1960, the cabin served as their retreat during summer cattle grazing and fall hunting seasons. The Forest Service assumed ownership in 1993, and remarkably, the cabin has survived two forest fires, including one in 2006 that left blackened trees on nearby hillsides. The cabin accommodates up to 4 people and provides basic shelter with a wood-heated cook stove, but guests must bring most amenities including drinking water, as no potable water is available. Limited firewood is available on-site. Corrals are provided for horses, though supplemental feed is required as grazing alone is insufficient. Access is challenging year-round, requiring 4-5 miles of travel from trailheads via three different routes. Summer access options include the Placer Gulch Trail (foot, horse, or OHV 50 inches or less), Jim's Gulch Trail (foot or horse), and Tie Cutter Trail (ATV). All routes may require fording Lower Deer Creek multiple times, with depths varying from 6 inches to several feet in spring. Winter access is available via snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile. The area offers excellent fishing for trout in Deer Creek, big game and bird hunting in fall, and challenging terrain for experienced cross-country skiers. Wildlife including bear, moose, elk, deer, and antelope inhabit the area.

Directions

Exit Interstate 90 at Bridger Creek Exit 384, about 14 miles east of Big Timber. Travel south on Bridger Creek Road for 8 miles to the junction with West Bridger Creek Road. Turn right and continue 4 miles to trailhead parking. Three trail routes available: Jim's Gulch Trail 129 (4 miles by foot or horse), Tie Cutter Trail 370 (ATV access), or Placer Gulch Trail 256 from Lower Deer Creek Road (5.2 miles by foot, horse, or OHV 50 inches or less). Topographic maps and GPS recommended for navigation.

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