Whitetail Cabin
Whitetail Cabin sits at an altitude of 4,048 feet in the north end of the Custer National Forest approximately 20 miles from Ashland, Montana. The cabin was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Formerly a ranger station, it is now a registered historic site. The cabin is available year-round and is accessible by car, but guests should be prepared to hike about 100 yards to the cabin in winter, depending on road conditions. Some creature comforts are provided, but guests will need to bring several of their own amenities.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 4 |
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
The 2-room cabin sleeps 4 and comes furnished with 2 sets of bunkbeds with mattresses, a table with 4 chairs, electric range, electric refrigerator, cleaning equipment and some basic cooking and eating utensils. A wood burning stove is provided, along with a limited supply of firewood. A picnic table and campfire ring are located in front of the cabin. An outhouse with pit toilet is located nearby. Horse facilities include a corral, 1 hitching rails and approximately 5 acres of fenced area to contain livestock. No water is available at the cabin. Guests must bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, and towels are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ashland, Montana, take Highway 212 east for approximately 5 miles to East Fork Otter Creek Road. Turn northeast onto East Fork Otter Creek Road and travel 12 miles to Whitetail Cabin.
| Nearest town | Ashland, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.6403° N, 105.9761° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Seasonal spring water can be used for livestock consumption only, but guests should call the Ranger District to check water availability in advance.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBuffalo 2
42 mi from the campground · 25 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miWilbur Creek1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
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
Natural features
The cabin sits in an open area backed by a stand of ponderosa pine. It is located in the Ashland Ranger District, which features a landscape of ponderosa pines and steep rocky outcroppings. Custer National Forest supports populations of bear, mule and whitetail deer, antelope, elk, cougar and bobcat ( bear precautions ). A variety of birds also inhabit the area.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular options in the area. Horse facilities are provided at the cabin. In winter, the landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The cabin is popular with hunters during elk, deer and turkey hunting seasons.
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 Whitetail Cabin?
Sites at Whitetail Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Whitetail Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Whitetail Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Whitetail Cabin?
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular options in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Whitetail Cabin?
Ashland, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Whitetail Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Holiday Spring Campground (0.1 mi, first-come), Red Shale Campground (9.5 mi, first-come), and Blacks Pond Campground (25.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby