Living Room
Approaching the cabin
beds

West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations through Recreation.gov. Winter access may require walking 200 yards from the plowed highway to the cabin due to snowfall. All food and garbage must be packed out.

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 West Fork of Rock Creek Cabin is a historic two-story log cabin located on the western edge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness. This restored structure, once used as a Forest Service Guard Station and later as a youth camp, sits in an open meadow surrounded by evergreens and offers a comfortable base for exploring southwestern Montana's mountains. The cabin sleeps up to 6 guests and features electrical lights, an oven, refrigerator, baseboard heater, and a wood stove. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishes, cookware, and utensils for 6 people. A hand pump provides potable water, though it has heavy mineralization, so bringing drinking water is recommended. A vault toilet is located a short distance from the cabin. The site includes a large parking area that can accommodate RVs and trailers, though no hookups are available. The entrance is gated with a combination lock for privacy. The cabin is situated in prime wildlife habitat where elk, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bears are common. West Fork of Rock Creek flows just behind the cabin, offering fishing and summer swimming. The area provides excellent access to hiking trails, fishing in multiple Rock Creek tributaries, and the blue ribbon trout waters of Rock Creek. Winter visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, with Discovery Ski Area about 45 minutes away. The cabin is located along scenic Skalkaho Highway 38, which leads to Skalkaho Falls and connects Hamilton and Philipsburg.

Directions

From Philipsburg, travel south on Highway 1 for just over 6 miles. Turn right onto Skalkaho Highway 38 and travel west for about 13 miles. The entrance to the cabin is on the left behind a locked gate. The last 200 yards may be closed due to winter snowfall.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $20

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (406) 859-3211

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Living Room
Approaching the cabin
beds
wood stove
Campfire at sunset
Inside West Fork
West Fork Guard Station 1929
Range, refrigerator, and sink
Pray for Snow!
Full view
Kitchen lights
new fence
West Fork

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