Bear Creek Bunkhouse
The Bear Creek Bunkhouse allows visitors to experience southwestern Montana's vast wilderness areas, including wide open hills and the Lee Metcalf Widerness in the Madison mountain range. Situated on the Trail Fork of Bear Creek, the cabin offers a scenic location to enjoy nature. The cabin was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as crew quarters and a garage. A larger cabin is located about 100 feet to the east and is also on the rental progarm. The bunkhouse is used as an administrative site in the summer, but is open to the public between December and April.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 2 / 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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Fee to rent cabin is non-refundable within 14 days of arrival date. Any changes in reserved dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service. |
This one room cabin has electricity and lights as well as two single beds with foam pads, which can accommodate up to two people. In addition to the beds, there is a table with chairs, refrigerator, stove, oven, basic cooking equipment and cleaning supplies. The cabin has a wood stove for heat and firewood is provided and stacked to the east of the cabin. A rustic outhouse is located 150 feet east of the bunkhouse, near the larger cabin. Two additional toilets are available at the adjacent campground. Visitors need to bring their own water, including for cleaning; the creek is the only source of water and may be difficult to access during the winter if the snow is deep. Sleeping bags and blankets are not supplied, and users will need to bring their own food, toilet paper and garbage bags. Garbage and cleaning services are not provided. There are no facilities for horses at the cabins or within the fenced cabin area. There are hitchrails and corrals in the adjacent campground but they may be occupied by the campsite users. Renters must clean the facility prior to departure, as well as replenish the supply of split wood and kindling.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ennis, take Highway 287 south for 11 miles, to Cameron, Montana. From Cameron, turn east on Bear Creek Loop and continue approximately 6 miles to the cabin. The last several miles is gravel or dirt, which may be muddy or snow-covered and may not always be plowed. Maps may be purchased by calling the Madison Ranger District.
| Nearest town | Ennis, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.1562° N, 111.5539° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The site can be accessed by vehicle, however, a portion of the road may be muddy or snow-covered, as it is not always plowed.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
26 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
26 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 | Grizzly Outfitters ↗ | 13.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Valley Trailer Sales Inc ↗ | 44.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of the west entrance to Yellowstone Park and about 60 miles south of Lewis and Clark caverns. The historic "old west" towns of Virginia City and Nevada City are about 30 miles to the west. The cabin is at the western edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
- 6 miStorey Ditch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 12.6 miPalisades Day Use ↗Day use
- 13.4 miEldridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.7 miWindy Point Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miTrail Fork Bear Creek ↗5.5 mi trail
- under 0.1 miMiddle Fork Bear Creek ↗8.9 mi trail
- 0.9 miNorth Fork Cutoff0.7 mi trail
- 1.4 miNorth Fork Bear Creek ↗5.4 mi trail
- 1.5 miHelmet Pass4.2 mi trail
- 2 miLake Cameron3.2 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
- inLee Metcalf Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 242,068 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The facility is located at the edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, at the foot of the Madison Range. The bunkhouse is situated at an elevation of 6,250 feet, amid open meadows that are surrounded by mature aspen and Douglas fir trees. Bear Creek runs just behind the bunkhouse and nearby cabin, and the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area (closed December 2 - May 15) lies immediately to the north. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, black bears and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species (learn more about bear safety).
Recreation
Bear Creek is a very popular trailhead during all seasons but especially during hunting season. There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. This trailhead provides access to climb Sphinx Mountain, a must-do for many visitors. The trails are popular among visitors for cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. The nearby wilderness area does not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles. Camping and fishing in the backcountry is allowed, with the proper permits. The Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area immediately to the north of the cabin is closed to all off-trail access, including foot traffic, between Dec. 2 and May 15.
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 Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Sites at Bear Creek Bunkhouse 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 Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Fee to rent cabin is non-refundable within 14 days of arrival date. Any changes in reserved dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bear Creek Bunkhouse have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Creek Bunkhouse. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Bear Creek is a very popular trailhead during all seasons but especially during hunting season. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bear Creek Bunkhouse?
Ennis, Montana. Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of the west entrance to Yellowstone Park and about 60 miles south of Lewis and Clark caverns.
Source: Getting there
What if Bear Creek Bunkhouse is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bear Creek Campground and Picnic Area (0.5 mi, first-come), Palisades Campground (12.2 mi, first-come), and Red Cliff Campground (15.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby