Gold Meadows Cabin

Unknown Status — The cabin is located 7 miles into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and requires hiking or stock animals to access. Winter conditions in late December typically make access extremely difficult or impossible due to snow at higher elevations. No fees or reservations are required.

About

Gold Meadows Cabin, originally called the Gold Meadows Ranger Station, is a well-preserved example of early Forest Service backcountry architecture. The cabin sits at a strategically located maintenance campsite that was frequently used by crews working on the elaborate network of trails and telephone lines in the region. To reach the cabin, visitors must hike 7 miles from the Eagle Mountain trailhead portal along the Eagle Mountain Trail and Long Lake Trail. The cabin represents the early developmental period of the Forest Service when trappers and rangers worked to establish infrastructure in remote wilderness areas. It served as a base camp for crews maintaining Trails 205, 206, 209, and 260, as well as sections of the Mocus Point telephone line. Today, the cabin stands as a symbol of the pioneering spirit of early backcountry rangers. Visitors must be prepared for true wilderness conditions. No drinking water is available on-site, and the only facilities are a vault toilet. The cabin is located deep within the 1.3 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, requiring self-sufficiency and backcountry skills. Winter access is extremely challenging due to heavy snowfall at higher elevations.

Directions

Located 7 miles from the Eagle Mountain portal of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, accessible via Eagle Mountain Trail and Long Lake Trail. Requires wilderness hiking or stock animals to reach.

Nearby Campgrounds