Horse Heaven Cabin
Closed — Closed for the season due to snow. Operates mid-July through September. Reservations available six months in advance through Recreation.gov.
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.
R1-2023-01 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.
Northern and Intermountain Regions Salmon Wild and Scenic River: Occupancy and Use
This order enacts visitor use restrictions for activities within the 80-mile-long wild segment of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River corridor, including a one-quarter mile buffer from the river, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Manag
Northern and Intermountain Regions Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
This order implements visitor use requirements for activities within the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).
Bitterroot National Forest Food Storage Order
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-bear interactions.
Annual Mill Creek Area Climbing Closure
The Stevensville Ranger District is reminding everyone of the annual climbing closure in the Mill Creek area to allow for nesting of cliff-dwelling raptors.
Trapping prohibited within 150' of groomed cross country ski trails
Pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited as described below, within the Darby Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest.
Bass Creek Recreation Area
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited within the Bass Creek Recreation of the Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued December 29 at 11:23AM PST until January 1 at 12:00PM PST by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Stagnation conditions will trap pollutants, leading to deteriorating air quality. * WHERE...Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region, Orofino/Grangeville Region, Southern Clearwater Mountains, and Northern Clearwater Mountains. * WHEN...Until noon PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Periods of air stagnation can lead to the build up of pollutants near the surface.
About
The Horse Heaven Cabin is a one-room historic structure built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for use as a fireman's cabin. Located at 7,100 feet elevation on a road dividing the 1.2 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3 million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas, the cabin sits on the edge of an open meadow surrounded by coniferous forests. The 16-by-18-foot cabin accommodates up to four people with two built-in bunk beds and sleeping pads. It is equipped with a wood stove for heat, propane cook stove, propane lantern, table and chairs, and basic cooking utensils. A vault toilet is available in an outhouse near the cabin. Guests must bring their own sleeping bags, propane fuel, drinking water, and all food supplies. The area provides excellent access to hiking and horseback riding trails within the wilderness boundaries, as well as big and small game hunting opportunities. The vast wilderness supports populations of mountain lions, grey wolves, coyotes, foxes, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer, and black bears. The cabin lies near the prehistoric southern Nez Perce Trail, once used by Native American tribes for seasonal migration between Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. High-clearance vehicles are required to navigate the steep, narrow, one-lane gravel roads. Recent wildfires have burned around the cabin, and visitors should be prepared to clear downed trees from access roads.
Directions
From Elk City, Idaho, travel southeast on Highway 14 and Forest Road 222. Continue east on Forest Road 468 for about 36 miles, turn south at the Trail 28 sign and travel 1/4 mile to cabin. From Darby, MT, head south 4 miles on Highway 93, turn onto West Fork Road/Highway 473 past the 14-mile marker, then west onto Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road #468. Continue 35 miles on paved and one-lane gravel road, turn south at junction of roads 468 and 6223 near Magruder Crossing Campground, cross the Selway River and continue 22 miles on steep, one-lane gravel road. Turn south at Trail #28 sign and follow rough rocky road to cabin. High-clearance vehicles required.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 821-3269 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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