Cabin rental · U.S. Forest Service · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest · Helena, MT

Moose Creek Cabin

Moose Creek Cabin is situated in an grassy clearing surrounded by conifer forest in the Tenmile Creek drainage west of Helena, Montana. The cabin was constructed in 1907 and used by the Forest Service during the early history of the agency. It has served as a Forest Service Ranger Station, guard station, and work center for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Today, the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation. The cabin is accessible by car, but guests should park on the adjacent road and cross a footbridge to get to the cabin. Many amenities are offered at the cabin, so guests only need to bring a few of their own supplies.

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
MOOSE CREEK CABINMOOSE CREEK CABINMOOSE CREEK CABINMOOSE CREEK CABIN
Photos via Recreation.gov

Site mix

Cabins with electric1
This cabin is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteShadePeople / vehicles
CB1Partial4 / 2

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

PetsAllowed

Moose Creek Cabin has electricity and is designed for up to 4 guests. One bedroom is furnished with a queen size bed and the other with 2 twin beds, all with mattresses. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, dishes, utensils, cookware and propane cook stove, that include a stove and lights. The living room has a wood fireplace and this is the only source of heat. An outhouse with vault toilet is located on-site. A picnic table and campfire ring offer comfortable outdoor dining. Firewood for indoor wood stove is provided September 1 through May 31. There is no water on site, so guests must bring a sufficient supply for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests should bring their own sleeping bags, lanterns or flashlights, towels, dish soap, matches, toilet paper and garbage bags. All garbage must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Moose Creek Cabin20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 0.84 inches of precipitationFebruary: 0.99 inches of precipitationMarch: 0.84 inches of precipitationApril: 1.66 inches of precipitationMay: 2.34 inches of precipitationJune: 2.74 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.22 inches of precipitationAugust: 1.09 inches of precipitationSeptember: 1.28 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.25 inches of precipitationNovember: 1.27 inches of precipitationDecember: 0.93 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 21.0°F averageFebruary: 22.5°F averageMarch: 30.4°F averageApril: 38.0°F averageMay: 47.7°F averageJune: 55.0°F averageJuly: 63.6°F averageAugust: 62.8°F averageSeptember: 53.1°F averageOctober: 40.4°F averageNovember: 28.1°F averageDecember: 21.0°F average0 in1 in2 in3 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Austin 1 W, 8 miles from the campground at 4,851 feet, station USC00240375 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 16 inches a year.

Getting there

From Helena, take U.S. Highway 12, and travel west for 7 miles to Rimini county road. From this intersection, take Rimini Road to the south approximately 4 miles to the cabin. It is located on the east side of the road just past the entrance to Moose Creek Campground. Parking is available to the north of the cabin.

Nearest townHelena, Montana
Coordinates46.5253° N, 112.2550° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Sure Thing Swamp Rx

    6 mi from the campground · 180 acres

  • Prescribed
    Bear Gulch Rx

    9 mi from the campground · 300 acres

  • Prescribed
    Wakina Sky Rx

    9 mi from the campground · 300 acres

  • Prescribed
    Hogum Creek Road Piles Rx

    33 mi from the campground · 5 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearThe Base Camp ↗11.1 mi
RV sales & serviceD & D RV Center ↗13.1 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗23 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

  • 0.6 mi
    Ten Mile Environmental
    1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    Switchback Ridge
    3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers, and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds. Elk, deer, squirrels and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, mountain lion and lynx find habitat in nearby areas as well.

Recreation

Hikers and backpackers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail from trails found near the cabin. This is a non-motorized trail with spectacular views and a variety of terrain, open to mountain bikers, stock users, backpackers and day hikers. The trail transitions through thick forest to above tree line and offers spectacular views both east and west of the Continental Divide. Moose Creek is a stream located just 11.4 miles from Helena. The creek supports a variety of fish, including redear sunfish, rainbow trout and brook trout. Whether spinning, fly fishing or baitcasting, chances of getting a bite here are good. Winter play includes cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Guidebooks for Montana

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Montana
    Vicky Soderberg and Ken Soderberg, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Moon Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Camping
    Becky Lomax, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Montana
    Kenneth L. Graham, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Moose Creek Cabin?

Sites at Moose Creek Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Moose Creek Cabin?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Moose Creek Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin with power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Moose Creek Cabin?

Yes, pets are allowed at Moose Creek Cabin. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Moose Creek Cabin?

Hikers and backpackers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail from trails found near the cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Moose Creek Cabin?

Helena, Montana.

Source: Getting there

What if Moose Creek Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Moose Creek Campground (0.1 mi, first-come), Quigley Group Use (3.4 mi), and Park Lake Campground (7 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby