Wall Creek Cabin
Located at the east base of the Gravelly Range, Wall Creek Cabin is a small dwelling that gives guests access to prime elk and deer viewing, as access is through a state Wildlife Management Area. It is typically open to the public from mid-May through November, offering ample opportunity to explore southwestern Montana. Built in about 1930, the rental cabin was originally a crew quarters/warehouse/garage. The compound served as headquarters for the Wall Creek Ranger District, later the Madison District, until the 1940s. There are currently four log buildings at the site, including the small rental cabin, a barn and a main "Ranger" cabin and it's woodshed.
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 | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 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 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
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 primitive cabin is small, with a single room with an entry room which was formerly the garage. It is equipped with two sets of bunk beds with foam pads and can sleep up to four people. Other amenities include a 2 burner propane cook stove, propane lantern, table and chairs, cleaning supplies, basic cooking utensils, cooking pots and a wood stove for heat. Firewood may be stacked against the fence to the west of the cabin, but the firewood supply cannot be guaranteed. Split wood is stored in the box in the porch. A primitive outhouse with vault toilet is located 100 feet north of the cabin. The only water that may be available is at a spigot at the horse trough. Primarily for stock use, the water must be properly filtered, treated or boiled for drinking or cooking purposes. There may be minimal cell phone service in the area. Other items to bring include sleeping bags and pillows, matches, flashlight, food, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and garbage bags. Guests are expected to pack out all trash and food and clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ennis, take US Highway south for about 18 miles to Indian Creek and the McAtee Bridge fishing access site. Turn right and go nearly 1 mile to junction just beyond bridge. Turn left and travel toward Wall Creek Wildlife Management Area for 2.7 miles to T junction.
| Nearest town | Ennis, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.0111° N, 111.7071° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Propane is not provided for the cook stove or lantern, so guests will need to bring small disposable propane canisters.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
31 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
38 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 ↗ | 25.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Valley Trailer Sales Inc ↗ | 57 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Yellowstone National Park is about 60 miles southeast. Wade and Cliff lakes are about 30 miles south. The Madison River is a couple miles away and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness is just across the valley in the Madison Range.
- 2.9 miPalisades Day Use ↗Day use
- 4.4 miWindy Point Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 8.9 miStorey Ditch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miHyde Creek ↗11.3 mi trail
- 1.2 miDry Fork3.1 mi trail
- 1.2 miBuck'S Nest1.1 mi trail
- 2 miSouth Fork Hyde Creek2.8 mi trail
- 2.4 miSunk Creek1.4 mi trail
- 2.8 miGrindstone3.3 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
Lee Metcalf Wilderness begins about 7.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.1 miLee 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 cabin is located on the edge of the Madison River Valley and the Gravelly Mountains at an elevation of 6,150 feet. It sits in an open, grassy area backed by forested slopes. This is a popular destination for big game hunters and for wildlife lovers who want to view elk in the fall, due to its proximity to the Wall Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is also home to deer, moose, antelope and bears (learn more about bear safety ).
Recreation
Big game hunting is by far the most popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the cabin. The area and surrounding wilderness is thick with wildlife. Hunters must have appropriate licensure to hunt in the state of Montana, and hunting is only allowed in designated areas. Wildlife viewing is popular, as animals often come near the cabin. Hunters often park and walk through the site to access a trail behind the cabin and barn. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are available in the area, as well as trails for off-road vehicles. Motorized trailhead access is about a mile north of the cabin on Bucks Nest and the non-motorized Hyde Creek trail is just north of the administrative site.
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 Wall Creek Cabin?
Sites at Wall 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 Wall 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 Wall Creek Cabin?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Wall Creek Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Wall Creek Cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wall Creek Cabin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Wall Creek Cabin?
Big game hunting is by far the most popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Wall Creek Cabin?
Ennis, Montana. Yellowstone National Park is about 60 miles southeast.
Source: Getting there
What if Wall Creek Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Palisades Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), Clover Meadows Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area (6.5 mi, first-come), and West Fork Madison Campground (10.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby