West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin
The West Fork of Rock Creek Cabin is located on the western edge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and is open for reservations year-round. It is a large cabin that provides a great experience in the mountains of southwestern Montana. The cabin offers access to numerous trails and wildlife viewing, as well as a comfortable place to picnic and spend the nights. The West Fork of Rock Creek is located just behind the cabin and is great spot to go fishing or take a quick dip to cool off in the warm summer months. There are three cabins at the site, which was once used as a Forest Service Guard Station and later as a youth camp.
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 | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 600 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Preferred |
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
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The rental fee is $75 per night. Any changes to scheduled dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service. The cabin is available year-round. |
This two story log cabin has beds and table settings for up to 6 guests. The cabin has electrical lights, oven, refrigerator, baseboard heater, and outlets. It has a oak table and chairs in the dining room, a large couch and rocking chair in the living room, and various tables and chairs located through out. A wood stove is located downstairs. We recommend bringing along a personal water filter for the water pump on site, or bring your own drinking water. Water from the stream must be filtered or treated prior to consumption. The kitchen has a counter top, cupboards, sink, plates, bowls, cups, silverware for 6 people, pots, pans, cast iron, french press, kitchen utensils (spatula, large spoon, knives, cutting board, can opener, cheese grater), sponges/scour pads, Battery Powered LED Lantern (D batteries), mop, broom, washbasins, dish rack, splitting maul, hatchet, cleaning products, and rags. Paper towels, matches, toilet paper, garbage bags, newspaper, and hand sanitizer are stocked monthly. There is a picnic table and fire ring located outside. The entrance is gated and locked with a combination code to provide guests privacy.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Philipsburg, travel south on Highway 1 for just over 6 miles. Turn right onto Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38 and travel west for about 13 miles. The entrance to the cabin is on the left, behind a locked gate, which uses the same key code as the cabin. The last 200 yards of the road may be closed due to snowfall during the winter months.
| Nearest town | Phillipsburg, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.2287° N, 113.5582° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Reservations are nonrefundable unless extenuating circumstances warrant otherwise. Determination will be made on a case by case basis.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D3 Cameron Gaps
27 mi from the campground · 1,100 acres
- PrescribedRx D4 Piquett Creek
41 mi from the campground · 2,210 acres
- PrescribedScf Nz Pile Burn Rx
45 mi from the campground · 34 acres
- WildfireSand Creek
48 mi from the campground · 35,520 acres · 83% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Hamilton RV Sales Of Montana ↗ | 28.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 47.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 13.2 miPebble Beach Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 3.4 miMaukey Gulch ↗9.1 mi trail
- 4.3 miEmerine Trail4 mi trail
- 5 miBasin Gulch Trail ↗7.2 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
Anaconda Pintler Wilderness begins about 10.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10.8 miAnaconda Pintler Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 158,712 acres
- 12 miBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,614,456 acres
- 12.1 miBitterroot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,664,512 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
On the National Register nearby
- Moose Lake Camp Historic DistrictHistoric district · Philipsburg · 12.1 mi
- Anderson Lumber CompanyBuilding · Philipsburg · 14.3 mi
- Philipsburg Grade SchoolBuilding · Philipsburg · 14.3 mi
Natural features
The log cabin is situated near the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness in an open meadow surrounded by evergreens. The area is known for its high, rugged, and beautiful mountain scenery. There is a resident herd of bighorn sheep near the cabin. Moose are frequently near the cabin and should not be approached ( learn more about bear safety. The cabin is in a large, fenced pasture and horses may be turned loose but you must check the fence for damage before using it. As a reminder, pelletized or certified weed seed free feed and straw is required in all National Forests in Montana; please plan accordingly.
Recreation
A variety of hiking is available in the area, as well as ample wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter. The cabin is about 45 minutes from Discovery Ski area as well. There is great hiking in open sage across the highway from the cabin, but there is no trail. Fishing is popular in the many clear mountain streams adjacent to the cabin, and the blue ribbon trout stream Rock Creek is nearby. Anglers may see plentiful trout populations, as the area is known for some of the world's finest trout streams. It is illegal to target Bull Trout, if caught they must be released immediately with minimal handling. Participants must have Montana licenses to hunt or fish. The cabin is located along the scenic Skalkaho Highway 38, which links Hamilton and Philipsburg, in southwestern Montana. The drive into the Sapphire Mountains is primitive and was once a trail widely used by Native Americans. The roadway was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley.
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 West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
Sites at West Fork Of Rock 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 West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
The rental fee is $75 per night. Any changes to scheduled dates may be assessed an additional fee by the National Recreation Reservation Service. The cabin is available year-round.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed at West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
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
What is there to do at West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
A variety of hiking is available in the area, as well as ample wildlife viewing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin?
Phillipsburg, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Stony Creek Campground (8.6 mi, first-come), Crystal Creek Campground (9 mi, first-come), and Spillway Campground (10.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby