West Fork Cabin
Open — Open January 1 through March 31 and July 1 through December 31. Closed for administrative purposes on Wednesdays from July through November. Roads closed to wheeled motorized use April 1 through June 30. Over-snow vehicle access permitted after 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
West Fork Cabin is a historic one-room cabin built in 1928 as an intermediate station for patrolling grazing allotments in the Gravelly Range of southwestern Montana. Perched at 8,460 feet elevation near the headwaters of the West Fork Madison River, the cabin offers rustic accommodations for up to 3 guests with one bunk bed and one twin bed. Heat is provided by a wood burning stove, with firewood available for cabin use only. The cabin includes minimal cooking equipment but no electricity or potable water; a spring is located north of the cabin, and a vault toilet sits approximately 100 feet south. Much of the surrounding area was affected by the 2013 Eureka Fire, but the location remains excellent for viewing wildflower displays in Eureka Basin during early summer and serves as a popular base camp during hunting season. The cabin provides access to miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, including routes to 10,542-foot Black Butte, the highest peak in the Gravelly Range. The Hellroaring trailhead, just a few miles north, leads into extensive backcountry trail networks. Off-road vehicles must stay on designated trails. Access typically requires a high-clearance vehicle or four-wheel drive due to gravel roads with long, steep grades. The road can become muddy or impassable during wet conditions, particularly from mid-October through November. Winter access requires over-snow vehicles, permitted after December 1. The area is home to pronghorn antelope, elk, moose, and bears, with mandatory food storage requirements in effect March 1 through December 1. Guests must pack out all garbage and clean the cabin before departure.
Directions
From Ennis, travel 34 miles south on US Highway 287 to West Fork Rest Area. Turn right onto West Fork Road #209 for 2 miles. Turn right onto Standard Creek Road #237 for approximately 18.5 miles to a 4-way junction. Turn left on Gravelly Range Road #290 and travel 10.5 miles to West Fork turnoff near a small rest area. Turn left and travel 3/4 mile to cabin. High-clearance vehicle or four-wheel drive recommended due to gravel roads with steep grades. In winter, up to 30 miles of snowmobile or ski travel required.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $45 |
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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