Facility Details - DEER CREEK CABIN (MT), MT

Overview

The Todd Family began building Deer Creek Cabin in 1953 and finished it in 1960. They used it as a retreat while they grazed cattle on federal lands in the summer and hunted in the fall. The cabin has survived two forest fires. Gallatin National Forest assumed ownership of the cabin in 1993.

The cabin is open year-round, but access is challenging. There are two routes to the cabin that can be used by equestrians and hikers in the summer or by snowshoers and skiers in the winter. These 4- to 5-mile routes ford creeks many times, with creek depths varying from 6 inches to several feet.

Some basic conveniences are provided, but guests will need to bring several of their own amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.

Natural Features:

This remote location provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bear, moose, antelope, elk and deer. Many species of birds also inhabit the area.

Blackened trees from a 2006 forest fire still line the nearby hillsides.

Recreation:

The Lower Deer Creek Trail is available for hiking and equestrian use and follows Deer Creek in a north-south direction, joining trails that break off and head west into the foothills of the Beartooth range. Experienced cross-country skiers and snowshoers will find a challenging winter landscape.

Anglers can fish for brook trout and brown trout in the nearby creek. The area offers good big game and bird hunting opportunities in the fall.

Facilities:

The single-room cabin has a cook stove and a wood heating stove. It can sleep up to four people on a provided double bed and set of bunk beds with mattresses. Other amenities include basic cooking and eating supplies, a table with chairs, some cleaning gear, firewood (for the wood stove only), a propane cook stove, propane-fueled lantern, axe, bucket and shovel.

A campfire ring and outhouse with pit toilet are located outside the cabin. Livestock may be kept at the available adjacent corral and in partially fenced pasture.

No water or electricity is provided. Guests must bring their own drinking water or treat water taken from the creek. A 16.4-ounce propane cylinder, which is not supplied, is required to operate the cook stove.

Items such as battery-powered flashlights or lanterns, bedding, matches, extra toilet paper and dish soap are not provided.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Axe Bed(s) With Mattress Broom & Dust Pan Bucket & Shovel Bunkbed(s) With Mattresses Cabin Rentals Cooking Pots Cooking Utensils Corrals Creek Access Cross Country Skiing Firewood	First Aid Kit Hiking Horseback Riding Trails Mattress(es) Pit Toilets Propane Lantern Propane Stove Snowshoeing Table & Chairs Trailheads Trails Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

Renters must call for the cabin combination at the Big Timber Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District (406) 932-5155 (business Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-Noon and 12:30-4:30 MST) within a week of rental date
Cabin, woodshed and gate are locked with combination locks; be sure to have combination in advance of arrival
The cabin is open year-round, but access is challenging; two routes to the cabin can be used by equestrians and hikers in the summer or by snowshoers and skiers in the winter; these 4- to 5-mile routes ford creeks many times, with creek depths varying from 6 inches to several feet
Drinking water is not available; water obtained from nearby natural water sources should be treated prior to use to prevent Giardia
For a comfortable stay, please bring the following items: flashlight, propane canister for provided lantern, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper, first-aid kit, drinking water
No garbage service; please bring garbage bags and pack out all that you pack in
Cell phone coverage is either limited or not available in this area
Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins;
click here to learn more
Guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Gallatin National Forest; click here for more information
Maximum group size for using the facility and adjacent area is 15 people
No liquid fueled (white gas) stoves or lanterns allowed in the cabin or on the porch
A stock corral is provided; please clean the stock corral before leaving
Hay and feed for stock must be certified weed-free
Out of state horses must have current Coggins test
Please collect your own firewood for campfires
Firing a gun or using any other weapon is not allowed within 150 yards of the cabin
Primary occupant is responsible to ensure all members of their party abide by US Forest Service regulations
Click here for more information about Gallatin National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
45.60139, -109.89806
45°36'5"N, 109°53'53"W

Deer Creek Cabin is located approximately 30 miles south of Big Timber, Montana. It can be accessed by 2 different routes for the last 4 to 5 miles. It is recommended that renters carry topographic maps, GPS and compasses for navigation since the route may be difficult to find.

The easier route to follow is along Lower Deer Creek Road and the Placer Gulch Trailhead:
From Exit 370 on Interstate 90 just east of Big Timber, take Frontage Road (south side of the interstate) 8 miles east. Turn right (south) onto Lower Deer Creek Road (Forest Service Road #482) and proceed 16.2 miles to the Placer Gulch Trailhead sign located on the left side of the road. Park at the trailhead and travel Placer Gulch Trail 256 by foot or horse (no off-road vehicles allowed) a distance of 3.7 miles, to the intersection with Lower Deer Creek Trail 5. Turn right (south) on Trail 5 for 1.5 miles to the Deer Creek Cabin. Note: both trails have several creek crossings and Trail 256 has a number of switchbacks.

West Bridger Creek access by foot or horse:
From Big Timber, travel 14 miles east on Interstate Highway 90 to Exit 384, Bridger Creek. At the stop sign, turn right and travel south for 8.2 miles to the junction of Main Bridger with West Bridger Creek Road. Turn right and continue on West Bridger Road for 4 miles, to the parking area. Park near the sign for West Bridger Trail 129, Lower Deer Creek. From this point, the cabin is 4 miles by foot or horse. Follow trail 129 up Jim's Gulch for about a mile, where the trail turns sharply to the right (north) and climbs up to the ridge. Follow the trail to the divide where it descends steeply to Lower Deer Creek. At this point, the trail junctions with Lower Deer Creek Trail 5. Turn left (south) on Trail 5 and follow the trail upstream for approximately 1.5 miles to the cabin.

During winter months, the road to the trailhead may not be plowed and could be impassable to both passenger cars and four-wheel drive vehicles. Please call the Big Timber Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 932-5155 for road conditions.