Montana › Gallatin County › Custer Gallatin National Forest

Mystic Lake Cabin

Open

Open year-round. Reservations required via Recreation.gov. Access requires a 5-10 mile backcountry trip on foot, mountain bike, horseback, or skis. All trails are closed to motorized vehicles including e-bikes. Bears are active in the area.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 7:30AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

7:30 AM — August 11th, 9:00 AM

AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Powell, Ravalli, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Sanders, Yellowstone counties in effect until 9AM on 08/11/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls, Frenchtown, Libby and Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Dillon, Great Falls, Helena and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Butte, Cut Bank, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us

About

Mystic Lake Cabin was built in 1930 and sits near the southeastern shore of Mystic Lake at approximately 6,400 feet in the Gallatin Range of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The surrounding landscape features wildflower-filled meadows in summer, dense evergreen forest, and mountain peaks. Wildlife including black bears, grizzly bears, moose, elk, and mule deer frequent the area. The cabin is located in a non-motorized area, requiring guests to hike, mountain bike, or ride horseback in summer, or cross-country ski/snowshoe in winter. The main route from Sourdough Canyon Trailhead is 5-10 miles depending on the trail chosen. Winter access via Bozeman Creek Trail (10 miles) offers an easier ski route than the steeper New World Gulch approach. Inside, the cabin has bunk beds with mattresses for four people, a wood-burning cook stove (firewood provided for indoor use), a table with chairs, and basic cookware and dishes. An outhouse with vault toilet is nearby, along with a campfire ring and a corral that accommodates two horses. There is no electricity, running water, or garbage service. Guests must bring drinking water, bedding, flashlights, fire starters, toilet paper, and pack out all trash.

Directions

From Bozeman, drive south on S. 19th Ave for 5.1 miles to Nash Rd. Turn left onto Nash Rd and drive 1.7 miles to Sourdough Canyon Road. Turn right and drive 0.9 miles to the Sourdough Canyon Trailhead. From the trailhead, travel south on Trail 454 for 5 miles, then either take Mystic Lake Trail 457 (2.8 miles, single track) before the bridge, or continue on Trail 454 (old roadbed, 5 more miles) after crossing the bridge. The cabin is on the south end of Mystic Lake. The Bozeman Creek route via Trail 454 is recommended for winter.