Open
Open year-round. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. During winter, the last 1.7 miles to the cabin are not plowed and must be accessed by snowmobile, skis, snowshoes, or dog sled. Snowmobile access is permitted December 2 through May 15. Check-in is 2:00 PM; check-out is 11:00 AM.
About
Lost Horse Cabin offers a rustic retreat in west-central Montana's Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, just four miles east of the Continental Divide. The cabin was acquired by the Forest Service in 2017 and provides a genuine backcountry experience with basic furnishings: two sets of bunk beds with mattresses, four cots, a wood stove for heat, a Monarch cookstove, lanterns, table and chairs, dishes, utensils, and cleaning supplies. A propane cooking stove is also available.
Guests must be prepared to bring their own water, sleeping bags, linens, toilet paper, matches, garbage bags, and small propane cylinders. An outhouse with vault toilet is located nearby. The cabin has no electricity. Firewood availability is not guaranteed, so visitors are encouraged to obtain it locally and burn it on-site to prevent pest spread.
The surrounding area features mixed fir and pine forest with opportunities for hiking, hunting, photography, and exploration. An extensive road system to the south and east allows vehicle or OHV access to old mining relics. The area to the north and west is sparsely roaded, offering remote off-trail experiences. Wildlife includes black and grizzly bears, mule and white-tailed deer, elk, mountain lions, and upland birds. Guests should be aware of hantavirus risk when visiting remote cabins.
Directions
From Helena: Take I-15 north for 5 miles and take exit 200 for Lincoln Road/County Rd 453, turn left. Stay on Lincoln Road/County Rd 453 for 13 miles. As you pass through Canyon Creek, take a slight left onto Little Prickley Pear Road (gravel). In half a mile, turn right to stay on Little Prickley Pear Road and continue 7.5 miles. Turn left onto Lost Horse Creek Road (gravel) and continue 1.3 miles. Turn right at the Y onto Anderson Road and continue 1.4 miles through the unlocked grey gate to the green gate. The cabin entrance code unlocks the green gate. Close and lock the gate behind you and proceed 0.3 miles to the cabin. During winter, the road is plowed only to the Y; the remaining 1.7 miles require non-motorized or snowmobile access.
