Montana / Gallatin County / Custer Gallatin National Forest

Maxey Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Winter access requires 4WD or skiing/snowshoeing up to 12 miles depending on plowing conditions; the final mile to the cabin is not plowed. Spring road closure from March 31 through May 16 requires hiking or biking approximately 9 miles to the cabin.

About

Maxey Cabin offers a quaint mountain retreat in Hyalite Canyon, situated in one of the Custer Gallatin National Forest's most scenic and popular recreation areas. The main cabin provides sleeping for up to 4 people on bunk beds with mattresses, a wood stove for heat, a table and chairs, and a propane lantern. An adjoining smaller cabin is unheated and available only during summer months, sleeping up to 2 additional people. Together, the facilities can accommodate groups of up to 15 people. Outside amenities include a vault toilet and campfire ring. The cabin is nestled among evergreen forests with the steep ridges of the Gallatin Mountains rising nearby. Beautiful wildflower meadows blanket the area in summer, while winter transforms the landscape with pristine snow. Hyalite Reservoir lies about a mile away, offering non-motorized boating and trout fishing opportunities. The area provides exceptional access to hiking and equestrian trails, including the Hyalite Peak trailhead that leads to the Gallatin Range's renowned waterfalls. Hyalite Canyon is particularly famous for backcountry skiing and ice climbing, with excellent elk hunting in the fall. The region is important habitat for grizzly bears, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, wolves, and mountain goats. Guests must bring their own drinking water, cooking gear, bedding, lighting, toilet paper, and other necessities. The cabin requires cleaning and trash removal before departure. Access varies seasonally: summer allows vehicle access directly to the cabin, while winter conditions require preparation for skiing or snowshoeing, as the access road is intermittently plowed and the final mile is not plowed. Snowmobiles are prohibited in this area of Hyalite Canyon.

Directions

From Bozeman, drive south on S. 19th Ave. for 7 miles. Turn left onto Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62 and drive 11.1 miles to the Maxey Cabin access road on the left, just before Hood Creek Campground. Use the combination received with your reservation to unlock the gate, then drive 0.5 miles to the cabin. In winter, park at the access road and ski or snowshoe the final distance depending on plowing conditions.

Nearby Campgrounds