Ibex Cabin
Ibex Cabin was constructed in 1939 as a shelter for Forest Service rangers working within the Shields Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest of south-central Montana. It is available for summer and winter recreational use, and provides a peaceful, remote mountain retreat. Guests can drive to the cabin from June until the snow flies. The cabin is closed April and May due to road and wildlife protection. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. In the winter, the cabin is only accessible by a 5.5-mile ski, snowshoe or snowmobile trip. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 2 | Yes |
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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Fees | Request for refunds or cancellations must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service, in accordance with their policy. Changes to online reservations can only be made via the NRRS Contact Center: 1-877-444-6777. |
The cabin has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to four people. Other amenities include a wood stove for heat, a propane lantern, a propane cookstove, ( bring propane cannisters), table, chairs, axe, splitting maul, bucket, broom, mop and shovel. An outhouse with vault toilet is located outside. Please bring firewood or gather from forest during summer. Do not burn provided firewood for outdoor fires, EVER, as it is extremely difficult to replace. Firewood is available during winter months as long as supplies last. A campfire ring is located outside, (collect wood in forest nearby or bring firewood for outside fires). Electricity and water are not available. Guests must bring their own water supply, as well as cooking gear, propane canisters for the lantern and stove, bedding, matches, newspaper, first aid kit, dishes and utensils, toilet paper and other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out, prior to leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Livingston, travel north on U.S. Highway 89 just past Clyde Park. Turn right onto Cottonwood Bench Road and continue 3 miles. Turn right onto Cottonwood Road and proceed for about 7 miles, to the intersection of Upper Cottonwood Creek Road and Lower Cottonwood Road. Turn left on Upper Cottonwood Creek Road.
| Nearest town | Livingston, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.0031° N, 110.4414° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The access road to the cabin may get muddy in the rain, so guests may want to call ahead for road conditions.
- Firewood is not available from june 1ST through september 30TH.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedNorth Bridger Brackett Creek Pile Burning Rx
25 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Bob’s Outdoors ↗ | 24.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Center Montana ↗ | 39 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 10 miHalfmoon Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPorcupine Ibex ↗16.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.2 miIbex1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miCottonwood Lowline ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miHorse Creek Tie2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.3 miCottonwood Lake ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2 miTrespass ↗6.1 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Chicken Creek Farmstead Historic DistrictHistoric district · Clyde Park · 7.9 mi
- Oliver and Lucy Bonnell Gothic Arch Roofed BarnBuilding · Clyde Park · 14.9 mi
Natural features
The rustic cabin is nestled at the edge of a meadow in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. A forest of Lodgepole pine grows behind the cabin, and views from the front reveal the 7,354-foot peak of Ibex Mountain. The surrounding meadow bursts with color from wildflowers in the summer. Mule deer, porcupine and elk may be spotted around the cabin. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
Recreation
There are a number of trails in the area for hikers, equestrians and snowmobilers. Tresspass Trail and Cottonwood Lake Trail are good trails in the area to explore. Trails in the area may cross private property,so guests MUST stay on the trail. Winter recreation includes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Big game hunting is also a popular activity in this area.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ibex Cabin?
Sites at Ibex Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ibex Cabin?
Request for refunds or cancellations must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service, in accordance with their policy. Changes to online reservations can only be made via the NRRS Contact Center: 1-877-444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ibex Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Ibex Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ibex Cabin?
There are a number of trails in the area for hikers, equestrians and snowmobilers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ibex Cabin?
Livingston, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Ibex Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Halfmoon Campground (10.1 mi, first-come), Richardson Campground (39.6 mi, first-come), and Grasshopper Campground (40.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby