Meadow Creek Cabin

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically available May 1 through September 15. Reservations available through Recreation.gov; guests must pick up the door key at Moose Creek Ranger Station before accessing the cabin.

About

Meadow Creek Cabin is a historic backcountry rental facility originally constructed in the early 1920s and used as a Forest Service guard station. The complex consists of five buildings including a main cabin with an office, sleeping area, and kitchen; a bunkhouse with a main room and loft; plus a tack shed, woodshed, and outhouse. Since 1932, it has served as a workstation for field crews. The cabin is nestled among the pines in a steep-sided canyon along Meadow Creek, a major tributary of the Selway River known for its clean, cold water and unspoiled beauty. The rustic cabin accommodates up to 6 people with six beds and mattresses, a living room with wood heat, and kitchen facilities including a wood cook stove, propane refrigerator, dishes, cookware, kitchen utensils, Coleman lantern, and lights. An indoor but untested water system is available; all water should be filtered or boiled. There is no electricity or modern bathroom facilities. A corral is provided for stock use, and visitors must bring weed-free feed. Accessing this remote cabin requires a 15-mile hike or horseback ride on National Recreation Trail #726 from Slim's Camp trailhead near the Selway River. An alternate route from Elk City via Kirk's Fork Trail #830 is approximately 14 miles. The area offers excellent hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and fly fishing for trout in Meadow Creek after July 1st. Big game species include black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, and cougar. Visitors must pick up the door key at Moose Creek Ranger Station before hiking to the cabin.

Directions

Travel to Lowell, Idaho on Highway 12 at milepost 97 at the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers. Cross the bridge and drive 20 miles up the Selway River. Cross the Selway Falls Bridge on the right and travel about a mile to Slim's Camp trailhead. Hike or ride 15 miles on National Recreation Trail #726 to the cabin. Alternate route: From Elk City via Kirk's Fork Trail #830 to Anderson Butte, then Butte Creek Trail #809 to Meadow Creek Trail #726, approximately 14 miles total.

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