Vigilante Cabin
The Vigilante Cabin, also known as the Vigilante Middle House, offers a comfortable place to stay deep in the mountains of southwestern Montana along the Ruby River between the Snowcrest and Gravelly Ranges. The house boasts two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and has electricity and seasonal water. A bathroom, with a toilet and shower,is usually available from May - September. It is close to many outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking and hunting, as well as off-road vehicle trails and gold panning. The house was constructed in 1925 and served as the Ruby District headquarters.
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 | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 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 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 large, two-bedroom cabin has a bunkbed and single bed with mattresses in each bedroom to sleep up to six people. It has electric lights and a water heater, though water is limited to May through September. The kitchen is equipped with an electric oven and stovetop, refrigerator, table and chairs, cookware and utensils. A wood stove heats the cabin, and firewood is provided, for inside use only. We do our best to keep the firewood stocked. However there is no guarantee that firewood will be available for your stay. Please consider bringing your own wood The living room is fully furnished, and there is a functioning bathroom during the summer months, with running water, a sink, shower and a flush toilet. The bathroom is sealed off when the water system at the cabin is winterized. An outhouse with vault toilet is available east of the house. A picnic table and a fire ring are provided but guests must supply their own wood for campfires. Guests need to bring their own water, including enough for cleaning, from October to May. Other items to bring include bedding, pillows, towels, soap, matches, flashlight and garbage bags, among other necessities.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sheridan, travel south on Highway 287 for about 10 miles to Alder. Turn south on Ruby River Road and continue about 22 miles to Vigilante Station. The last 20 miles are on a gravel road, which can be slippery when wet or snow-covered. The gate lock code is the same as the cabin.
| Nearest town | Ennis, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.0175° N, 111.9627° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Snowmobile use is not allowed on the Forest prior to December 2 of each year.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
29 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
46 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Grizzly Outfitters ↗ | 36 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miLewis Creek2.8 mi trail
- 1.4 miTate Reservoir3.3 mi trail
- 1.5 miSnowcrest ↗38.3 mi trail
- 1.6 miGilbert Trail ↗22 mi trail
- 2.1 miMoose Lake ↗5.2 mi trail
- 2.6 miShort Creek ↗7.3 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Located along the Ruby River, the facility stands at an elevation of about 6,100 feet between the Snowcrest and Gravelly mountain ranges. It sits in a mostly open and grassy area with just a few cotttonwood trees around it, offering views of the nearby peaks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including elk, mule deer, black and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species ( learn more about bear safety ).
Recreation
Guests can enjoy fishing the Ruby River for mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Gold panning is also possible in a section of the river near the cabin. Big game hunting is possible in designated areas. Appropriate licenses are required. A variety of hiking trails and points of exploration exist around the cabin. Off-road vehicle trails are also available in the area. During winter months, guests enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing on the many nearby trails.
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 Vigilante Cabin?
Sites at Vigilante 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 Vigilante 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 Vigilante Cabin?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Vigilante Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Vigilante Cabin?
Please consider bringing your own wood The living room is fully furnished, and there is a functioning bathroom during the summer months, with running water, a sink, shower and a flush toilet.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Vigilante Cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Vigilante Cabin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Vigilante Cabin?
Guests can enjoy fishing the Ruby River for mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Vigilante Cabin?
Ennis, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Vigilante Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cottonwood Campground (3.2 mi, first-come), Clover Meadows Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area (6.4 mi, first-come), and Palisades Campground (14.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby