Savenac Cookhouse
Savenac Cookhouse provides cooking and eating accommodations for large groups staying at the Savenac Historic Tree Nursery in the Lolo National Forest of Montana. The area is filled with history and was once the site of the U.S. Forest Service's largest and most beautiful nurseries in the West. The cookhouse can seat up to 30 people and offers somewhat modern facilities, as well as access to a variety of recreational opportunities. In addition, the cookhouse can sleep up to 9 people downstairs.
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 | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 9 / 10 | Yes | Standard |
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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Guests are required to clean the facility before leaving. Follow the cleaning instructions posted in the kitchen. Hosts are onsite to perform a checkout inspection before leaving the facility. The cookhouse is equipped with a large kitchen including a commercial-grade stove with grills, burners, and double ovens, a commercial diswasher, a walking refrigerator/freezer, two standard refrigerators, coffee pots, a microwave, and assorted cooking utensils, pots, pans, dishes and tableware for 25 to 30 people. The facility also has a dining area with tables and chairs that can seat 25 to 30 people, and a bathroom. Downstairs, the cookhouse has 9 twin beds with mattresses, mostly in one large room, two bathrooms with showers, and a few dressers. Guests will need to bring their own food and supplies as well as ice and any additional equipment that is needed. Guest will also need to bring their own bedding, including sleeping bags, blankets and pillows, as well as towels, soap, and other necessities. Guests are required to clean the facility before leaving. The cookhouse is available year-round, except when it is reserved for administrative use or maintenance.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Missoula, travel west on Interstate 90 for 90 miles, to Haugan (Exit 16). Turn right at the stop sign. At the frontage road turn right, then take the first left, crossing the cattle guard. Signs are onsite if needed. Maps are available online or for purchase by calling the Superior Ranger District.
| Nearest town | Superior, Montana |
| Coordinates | 47.3856° N, 115.3956° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireNugget Hill
14 mi from the campground · 35 acres
- PrescribedD4 Rx Hwy 50 Roadside Salvage
15 mi from the campground
- PrescribedD4 Rx Simmons Peak
22 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D7 Lost Creek 155/559
23 mi from the campground · 17 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 20.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miSavenac Arboretum West0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- under 0.1 miSavenac Arboretum East0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miSavenac Arboretum North0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miMilwaukee/Dominion Creek ↗10.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.3 miStorm Peak ↗10.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.6 miBig Creek / Rivers Creek ↗19.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
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
On the National Register nearby
- DeBorgia SchoolhouseBuilding · DeBorgia · 2.3 mi
- Grand ForksSite · Avery · 13.1 mi
- Bullion TunnelStructure · Avery · 14.4 mi
Natural features
The cookhouse is one of three rental cabins located at the Historic Savenac Nursery, which was founded in 1907 to grow trees for the Forest Service. Nursery operations concluded in 1969 and now the site is open to the public for recreation. The cookhouse was originally a residence and was converted in the 1970s to a space for eating and food preparation. The facilities are close to the Idaho border, in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana. The Lolo National Forest is home to many species of wildlife, including deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, moose and black bears.
Recreation
A variety of historic sites and memorials, as well as interpretive trails, exist near the cookhouse. A self-guided tour of the nursery is available at the site to give visitors a historical perspective. The world-class Route of the Hiawatha Trail is located just 7 miles to the west, offering pristine mountain biking. Numerous mountain streams and the St. Regis River are available for fishing, wading and non-motorized boating within just a few minutes of Savenac. The beautiful Savenac Creek runs through the compound. In the winter, trails in the nearby area are groomed for snowmobile use and opportunities abound for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Lookout Pass ski hill is located just 10 miles west on Interstate 90.
Nearby
The nursery is located near Haugan, with easy access to Interstate 90. It is within walking distance of a family restaurant, gas and general store and gift shop. The Savenac compound also consists of a visitor center that is operated from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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 Savenac Cookhouse?
Sites at Savenac Cookhouse are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Savenac Cookhouse?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Savenac Cookhouse have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Savenac Cookhouse?
The longest site here provides 60 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
Are there showers or a dump station at Savenac Cookhouse?
Downstairs, the cookhouse has 9 twin beds with mattresses, mostly in one large room, two bathrooms with showers, and a few dressers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Savenac Cookhouse?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Savenac Cookhouse?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Savenac Cookhouse?
A variety of historic sites and memorials, as well as interpretive trails, exist near the cookhouse. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Savenac Cookhouse?
Superior, Montana. The nursery is located near Haugan, with easy access to Interstate 90.
Source: Getting there
What if Savenac Cookhouse is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cabin City Campground (6.2 mi, partly first-come), Little Joe Campground (14.5 mi, first-come), and Tin Can Flat Campground (15.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby