Facility Details - FORD CABIN, MT

Overview

Ford Cabin offers a cozy, rustic getaway along the appropriately named Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River. It is about 45 miles north of Columbia Falls, in northwestern Montana. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, viewing wildlife and exploring the area's many trails.

The cabin is available from May 25 to March 15. It can be access by vehicle, however four-wheel drive and chains are recommended during the winter. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features:

The cabin is perched on a grassy field beside a stand of pine trees and near the North Fork of the Flathead River and Tepee Creek.

The surrounding Glacier View Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. To the north is Canada and west is the Kootenai National Forest. A variety of wildlife live in the area, including elk, moose and bears.

Recreation:

Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing is pleasant. In fact, the Flathead River is renowned for its excellent fly fishing. Visitors can hike and mountain bike on various trails and roads, or float in the river from the Canadian border to Polebridge on Class I to II rapids.

Facilities:

The rustic log cabin has a small, covered front porch and a vault toilet nearby. It is equipped with a propane stove, lights, a heater and limited cooking and eating utensils. Furnishings include two bunk beds and one double bed, to accommodate up to six people.

Water from a hand-pump system, is only available from April to November. In winter, visitors must bring their own water. Other items to bring include food, bedding, flashlights, a first aid kit and other basic camping gear. Click here for more cabin details.

Nearby Attractions:

Polebridge Mercantile offers limited supplies, and is about a half-hour's drive from the cabin.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Berry Picking Birding Boat Ramp Boating Broom & Dust Pan Cabin Rentals Canoeing Cooking Pots Cooking Utensils Cross Country Skiing Drinking Water (Hand Pump) Firewood Fishing Heater	Hiking Historic Sites Kayaking Mattress Parking Area Propane & Cooking Stove Propane Lights Propane Stove River Access Snowshoeing Table & Chairs Vault Toilets Wildlife Viewing Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

There is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year.
Water, electricity and sewer is not available at the cabin.
Bears frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and garbage.
Pets and livestock are not allowed at the cabin.
Please bring garbage bags; this is a "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" facility.
Please help conserve propane by minimizing use of lights, and keeping the thermostat set at 55 degrees when away from the cabin.
Firewood is provided for heating purposes only; please replenish cut wood supply prior to departure.
Contact the ranger district office at (406) 387-3800, during normal office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for updates on weather and road conditions; refunds will not be given for inclement weather or road conditions.
The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code will be contained in the reservation confirmation letter.
Guests must clean cabin prior to departure; a fee will be charged if extra clean-up is needed.
Commercial use of the cabin is prohibited.
Click here for more information on the Flathead National Forest.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
48.87361, -114.37667
48°52'25"N, 114°22'36"W

From Columbia Falls, travel north on Nucleus Avenue and east on Railroad Street. At the stop sign, the road becomes North Fork Road. Continue 45 miles. Turn right on Whale Creek Road 318 (approximately 11 miles north of Polebridge) and follow the signs to Ford Cabin. Travelers will cross a small bridge and the cabin should be on the right.

North Fork Road is gravel and is rough in spots. It is only intermittently plowed during the winter months, requiring four-wheel drive and chains for passage. The cabin is closed during peak winter months.