Kading Cabin
Kading Cabin is located 16 miles south of Elliston, Montana in Helena National Forest. This site has served the Forest Service since the early 1900s when the agency was forming. It was selected for its central location, trail and wagon road accessibility, and telephone line service at the time, ensuring that it would be valuable for both administrative and protective work. The present cabin was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Renovations and repairs were made to the facility in the 1960s and again in the early 1990s. Today, the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in central Montana.
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 | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 4 / 2 |
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
The cabin is furnished with 2 sets of bunk beds with mattresses that can accommodate up to 4 people. A wood stove is provided for heat. Other amenities include propane lanterns, a table and chairs, cleaning supplies, a propane cooking stove, dishes, utensils and some cookware. An outhouse with vault toilet is nearby. An axe and snow shovel are provided. A water spigot is located outside the cabin and operates most of the winter. Items to bring include sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Guests are expected to pack out all trash and food and clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit |
| Rules | The maximum length recommended trailer length for the area is 16ft. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Located 25 miles southwest of Helena, Montana in the Little Blackfoot drainage, the cabin can be reached via US Highway 12, turning left (south) onto Little Blackfoot River Road just east of Elliston. From this intersection, it is approximately 16 miles to the cabin.
| Nearest town | Helena, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.4297° N, 112.4803° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed.
- The cabin is not wired for electricity, and water is not always available in winter.
- Fuel is not provided for the propane stove or lanterns, so guests should bring a couple of small propane cylinders, as well as backup lighting.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
8 mi from the campground · 180 acres
- PrescribedBear Gulch Rx
21 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedWakina Sky Rx
21 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedHogum Creek Road Piles Rx
37 mi from the campground · 5 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | The Base Camp ↗ | 23.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | D & D RV Center ↗ | 25.5 mi |
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 31.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Plenty of historic mines are scattered throughout the area, including Charter Oak Mine and the Mill and the Monarch Mine.
- 12.5 miMac Donald Pass Ski Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miKading3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miBlackfoot Meadows ↗7.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miLimburger Spring2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 1.3 miElliston Spotted Dog ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 1.3 miBaldy Ridge2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 1.4 miLarabee Gulch2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- William K. Kohrs Free Memorial LibraryBuilding · Deer Lodge · 11.6 mi
- Nick J. Bielenberg HouseBuilding · Deer Lodge · 11.9 mi
- MacDonald Pass Airway BeaconStructure · Helena · 11.9 mi
Natural features
Hemmed in by old-growth, conifer forest, Kading Cabin sits at the edge of a grassy clearing. The Little Blackfoot River flows near the cabin, a tributary to the Upper Clark Fork watershed. It drains an area of 265,300 acres from the Boulder Mountains north of Butte and west of Helena. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers, and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds. Elk, deer, squirrels and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat in nearby areas as well.
Recreation
Plenty of hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities exist along the numerous trails and roads that can be accessed within a short distance from the cabin. Fly fishing on the Little Blackfoot River is excellent. Brown trout are found in good numbers and large sizes below Elliston. Brook and cutthroat trout are found above Elliston. Whitefish can be found throughout the length of the river. In winter, guests will enjoy snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling on trails throughout the area.
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 Kading Cabin?
Sites at Kading 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 Kading Cabin?
$10/Night for single unit
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kading Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Kading Cabin open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Kading Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Kading Cabin?
Plenty of hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities exist along the numerous trails and roads that can be accessed within a short distance from the cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Kading Cabin?
Helena, Montana. Plenty of historic mines are scattered throughout the area, including Charter Oak Mine and the Mill and the Monarch Mine.
Source: Getting there
What if Kading Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Whitehouse Campground (11.8 mi, first-come), Quigley Group Use (12.3 mi), and Moose Creek Campground (12.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby