Ford Cabin
Ford Cabin offers a cozy, rustic getaway along the appropriately named Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River. It is about 45 miles north of Columbia Falls, in northwestern Montana. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, viewing wildlife and exploring the area's many trails. The cabin is available from May 22 to March 31. It can be access by vehicle, however four-wheel drive and chains are recommended during the winter. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 3 | Yes | Prime |
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
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Reservations can be made one to 180 days in advance. The rental fee is $50 per night and there is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year. Federal Pass discounts do not apply. |
The rustic log cabin has a small, covered front porch and a vault toilet nearby. It is equipped with a propane stove, lights, a heater and limited cooking and eating utensils. Furnishings include two bunk beds and one double bed, to accommodate up to six people. Water from a hand-pump system, is only available from April to November. In winter, visitors must bring their own water. Other items to bring include food, bedding, flashlights, a first aid kit and other basic camping gear.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Columbia Falls, travel north on Nucleus Avenue until the road ends at the intersection of Railroad Street. Turn right (east) on Railroad Street. Continue on Railroad Street; it becomes the North Fork Road. Continue north on the North Fork Road for 45 miles. Turn right on Road 308 just north of the Tepee Creek crossing.
| Nearest town | Hungry Horse, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.8736° N, 114.3767° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Tamarack Outdoor Outfitters ↗ | 24.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bish's RV ↗ | 49.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- J. K. Miller HomesteadBuilding · Big Prairie · 3.3 mi
- Kintla Lake Ranger StationHistoric district · West Glacier · 4.5 mi
- North Fork RoadStructure · West Glacier · 4.5 mi
Natural features
The cabin is perched on a grassy field beside a stand of pine trees and near the North Fork of the Flathead River and Tepee Creek. The surrounding Glacier View Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. To the north is Canada and west is the Kootenai National Forest. A variety of wildlife live in the area, including elk, moose and bears.
Recreation
Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing is pleasant. In fact, the Flathead River is renowned for its excellent fly fishing. Visitors can hike and mountain bike on various trails and roads, or float in the river from the Canadian border to Polebridge on Class I to II rapids.
Nearby
Polebridge Mercantile offers limited supplies, and is about a half-hour's drive from the cabin.
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 Ford Cabin?
Sites at Ford 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 Ford Cabin?
Reservations can be made one to 180 days in advance. The rental fee is $50 per night and there is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year. Federal Pass discounts do not apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ford Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Ford Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ford Cabin?
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Ford Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ford Cabin?
Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing is pleasant. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ford Cabin?
Hungry Horse, Montana. Polebridge Mercantile offers limited supplies, and is about a half-hour's drive from the cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Ford Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tuchuck Campground (10.7 mi, first-come), Big Creek Campground (21.3 mi, partly first-come), and South Dickey Lake (22.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby