Wood stove for heat and cooking - please only use provided wood for inside the cabin.

Interior view of cabin entrance and table

Montana › Madison County › Custer Gallatin National Forest

Spanish Creek Cabin

Open

Open year-round. Winter road closure in effect December 2 through May 15: guests must park at the forest gate 5 miles from Highway 191 and ski, snowshoe, hike, or bike 3.5 miles to the cabin. Grizzly bear food storage order in effect.

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

Spanish Creek Cabin is a historic two-story Forest Service rental cabin constructed in 1934, retaining much of its original rustic character. Situated at 6,200 feet elevation in a large meadow at the base of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, the cabin provides an excellent base camp for exploring the Madison Range. South Fork Spanish Creek flows nearby, and wildflowers add color around the cabin each summer. The area is home to grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. The cabin accommodates up to four guests with bunk beds and regular beds with mattresses provided. A wood cook stove serves for heating and cooking, and basic cleaning equipment is available in the kitchen area. An outhouse with vault toilet is on site. There is no electricity or potable water; guests must bring drinking water, bedding, food, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, dish soap, garbage bags, and first aid supplies. The nearby Spanish Creek Trailhead provides access to trails heading south into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and west into non-wilderness areas. Trails lead to Little Hell Roaring Creek, the north end of the Madison Range, and the South Fork of Spanish Creek. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, and hunting.

Directions

From Bozeman, drive west toward Four Corners, then south on US Highway 191 toward Big Sky for about 19.5 miles. Turn right onto Spanish Creek Road and drive 9 miles to the National Forest boundary. Continue toward the Spanish Creek Trailhead. Look for a jack leg fence and access gate on the left (east) side of the road. Use the cabin combination to unlock the gate and close it behind you. Winter access (December 2 through May 15): park at the Forest Service gate 5 miles from Highway 191 and travel 3.5 miles to the cabin on foot, skis, or bike.