Montana / Jefferson County / Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Strawberry Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. From October 15 through May 15, the last mile of road is closed to motorized vehicles, requiring approximately 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to reach the cabin. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.

About

Strawberry Cabin is a historic 1941 lookout cabin perched atop Strawberry Butte at 6,100 feet elevation in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains. The cabin exemplifies the C-46 one-room cabin plan designed by William Fox, showcasing distinctive rustic Forest Service log architecture from the late 1930s and early 1940s, including ventral saddle notches and chopper-cut log ends. Located 15 miles south of Helena, the cabin provides access to the diverse landscape of the Elkhorn Mountains Wildlife Management Unit, the first of its kind in the National Forest System. The area spans from prairie to alpine environments, offering numerous hiking trails and roads to the north end of the Elkhorns. Popular hikes include Strawberry Creek, Casey Peak, and Willard Creek. Winter visitors can explore via cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, with excellent opportunities to observe concentrations of wintering elk. The cabin is a no-smoking facility with propane heat and cooking facilities. Guests must bring all water, as none is available on-site. Access requires approximately 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing from mid-October through mid-May when the final mile of road is closed to motorized vehicles. Snowmobiling is not permitted in the area.

Directions

From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. Go east on Jackson Creek Road for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Johns Street and continue onto McClellan Creek Road for 4 miles. Turn right onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Road and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Strawberry Lookout Road and proceed 1 mile to the cabin. From October 15 through May 15, the final mile is walk-in access only.

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