Vigilante Cabin
Open — Open year-round for reservations through Recreation.gov at $75 per night. Flush toilet and potable water available June through September; vault toilet available year-round. The last mile of access road may not be plowed in winter. Mandatory bear food storage requirements are in effect March 1 through December 1.
R1-2024-01 Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
R1-2025-02 Use of Vehicles Off Road
Use of vehicles off road prohibition for the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Use of Vehicles Off Road
Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads is prohibited on all National Forest System lands on the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Madison Ranger District 8325A and 8325B Roads Closure
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceBeaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestMadison Ranger District
Road/Trail Prohibitions, Off-Road Prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness Areas
This order describes the off-road prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness.
Annual Food Storage Order
Food storage order is in effect annually from March 1 to December 1 on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Beaverhead- Deerlodge and Bitterroot National Forests.
Pallet Prohibition Order Butte Ranger District
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: possessing or storing any material containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including wood pallets and construction debris, that could be used as fir
Thompson Park Area Closure for Camping and Fires
The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and resource protection resulting from high levels of undeveloped (dispersed) camping in the area.
Elkhorn Mill and Mine Area Closure
The purpose of this Order is for public safety. The mill site is unstable with heavy metals in the soil and the audit area is flooded with falling rock at the portal entrance.
About
The Vigilante Cabin stands as a well-preserved piece of Forest Service history, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1920s to serve as a guard station in the Ruby District. Located at 6,100 feet elevation along the Ruby River between the Snowcrest and Gravelly mountain ranges, this white clapboard middle house offers comfortable lodging deep in the mountains of southwestern Montana. The cabin features three rooms with sleeping accommodations for six people, along with modern amenities including electricity, a refrigerator, lights, and a wood-burning stove for heat. Two adjacent buildings on the property remain in use by Forest Service personnel and volunteers throughout the year. The cabin serves as an excellent base camp for outdoor recreation in all seasons. The Ruby River, located several hundred yards east of the cabin, provides excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout and mountain whitefish, as well as gold panning. The surrounding area offers numerous hiking trails, off-road vehicle routes, and big game hunting opportunities. Winter visitors enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing on nearby trails, though snowmobile use is not permitted on the forest before December 2. The remote location sits in a mostly open, grassy area with scattered cottonwood trees and offers views of nearby peaks. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, mule deer, black and grizzly bears, and mountain grouse.
Directions
From Ennis, travel 23 miles west on Montana Highway 287 to Alder. Turn south toward Ruby River Reservoir on County Road 248 and travel 29 miles to Vigilante Station. The last 20 miles are gravel road, which can be slippery when wet or snow-covered. The gate lock code is the same as the cabin combination.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| 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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