Vigilante Cabin
Open year-round via Recreation.gov reservations. Running water, flush toilet, and shower are available May through September only. From October through April, only the vault toilet is available and guests must bring their own water. The last mile of access road may not be plowed in winter. Campfires are no longer permitted at this site.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 25 at 4:05PM MDT until July 25 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 514 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN MONTANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 7 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MONTANA FERGUS JUDITH BASIN MEAGHER IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA BROADWATER GALLATIN JEFFERSON MADISON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BATTLE RIDGE PASS, BOULDER, BOULDER HILL, BOZEMAN APT, BOZEMAN PASS, CITY OF BOZEMAN, DEEP CREEK PASS, ELK PARK PASS, ENNIS, GRASS RANGE, HOBSON, HOMESTAKE PASS, LEWISTOWN, LEWISTOWN DIVIDE, MARTINSDALE, MONTANA CITY, NORRIS HILL, RAYNESFORD, RAYNOLDS PASS, STANFORD, TARGHEE PASS, TOSTON, TOWNSEND, TWIN BRIDGES, VIRGINIA CITY, WEST YELLOWSTONE, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WHITEHALL, WINIFRED, AND WINSTON.
Red Flag Warning issued July 24 at 12:15PM MDT until July 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM MDT SATURDAY DUE TO LIGHTNING AND WIND, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR EAST BEAVERHEAD... The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Red Flag Warning. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 111. * TIMING...From 1 PM to 9 PM MDT Saturday. * WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent. * THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms producing minimal precipitation. Erratic outflow winds of 55 to 65 mph possible. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Special Weather Statement issued July 25 at 6:07PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
At 607 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms 14 miles southwest of Bozeman, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, Four Corners, and Bozeman Hot Springs.
About
Originally built as the Ruby District headquarters in 1925 and later expanded by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Vigilante Cabin (also known as Vigilante Middle House) offers a unique backcountry lodging experience in southwestern Montana. The white clapboard cabin sits at about 6,100 feet elevation in a grassy meadow along the Ruby River, with views of the surrounding Snowcrest and Gravelly mountain ranges. Two adjacent buildings remain in active Forest Service use, so the site may occasionally see work crews. The cabin features two bedrooms with bunkbeds and single beds, a living room, and a kitchen equipped with an electric oven, stovetop, refrigerator, and basic cookware. A wood-burning stove provides heat, and firewood is supplied. During the summer season (May through September), guests have access to potable water from a hand pump, plus an indoor bathroom with flush toilet, sink, and shower. From October through April, only the vault toilet (located about 100 feet east of the cabin) is available, and guests must bring their own water. The area offers excellent fishing for rainbow trout and mountain whitefish in the Ruby River, gold panning, hiking, OHV trails, and big game hunting in season. Winter visitors enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Bear activity is common; mandatory food storage requirements are in effect March 1 through December 1.
Directions
From Sheridan, travel south on Highway 287 for about 10 miles to Alder. Turn south on Ruby River Road and continue about 22 miles to Vigilante Station. The last 20 miles are on gravel road, which can be slippery when wet or snow-covered. The gate lock combination matches the cabin door code provided at reservation. From Ennis, travel 23 miles west on Montana Highway 287 to Alder, then turn south toward Ruby River Reservoir on County 248 and travel 29 miles.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 682-4253 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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