Bear Creek Cabin
The Bear Creek Cabin, located at the base of the west slope of the Madison Range, allows visitors to experience southwestern Montana's vast wilderness areas, including wide open fields and a variety of nearby mountain ranges. Situated on the Trail Fork of Bear Creek, the cabin offers a scenic location to enjoy activities such as hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, as well as hiking and horseback riding on nearby trails. A smaller cabin, Bear Creek Bunkhouse, is located about 100 feet to the west and is also on the rental program. The cabin is used as an administrative site in the summer and fall months, 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 | 4 / – | 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 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| 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. |
The large, two-room cabin can sleep four people comfortably with one set of bunk beds and two single beds, each with a mattress. The cabin has electricity and is equipped with lights, a refrigerator, a stove and an oven. A table with chairs and basic cooking equipment are also provided. The cabin has a wood stove for heat and comes with firewood, which is usually stacked on the porch and to the south side of the cabin, though not guaranteed by March and April. Renters must supply their own wood for campfires. An outhouse with vault toilets is located 40 feet south of the cabin and there are two additional concrete vault toilets in the adjacent campground to the west. Visitors must bring their own water; the creek is the only source of fresh water and may be difficult to access during the winter. Sleeping bags and blankets are not supplied, and users will need to bring their own food, toilet paper and garbage bags, among other necessities. Garbage and cleaning services are not provided. 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 are gravel or dirt roads, which may be muddy or snow-covered and may not always be plowed.
| Nearest town | Ennis, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.1560° N, 111.5534° 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.
- Firewood is not supplied for campfires, only for cabin heating.
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 Yellowstone National Park. Lewis and Clark Caverns is about 60 miles north. The historic towns of Virginia City and Nevada City are about 3 miles west.
- 6 miStorey Ditch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 12.6 miPalisades Day Use ↗Day use
- 13.3 miEldridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.7 miWindy Point Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miTrail Fork Bear Creek ↗5.5 mi trail
- 0.1 miMiddle Fork Bear Creek ↗8.9 mi trail
- 0.9 miNorth Fork Cutoff0.7 mi trail
- 1.5 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 cabin is situated at an elevation of 6,250 feet, amid open meadows that are surrounded by mature aspens and Douglas fir trees. Bear Creek runs near the cabin and nearby bunkhouse, and the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area 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
There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. The trails are popular among visitors for cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. The nearby wilderness areas do not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles. Camping and fishing in the backcountry are allowed, but the proper permits are required. 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
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
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 Cabin?
Sites at Bear Creek 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 Bear Creek Cabin?
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 Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bear Creek Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bear Creek Cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Creek Cabin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Bear Creek Cabin?
There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bear Creek Cabin?
Ennis, Montana. Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.
Source: Getting there
What if Bear Creek Cabin 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 (15.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby


