Facility Details - TRAIL CREEK CABIN, MT

Overview

Trail Creek Cabin, built in 1924, was the original ranger station for the Bozeman Ranger District. It is available from June through March, offering guests the chance to enjoy summer or winter recreation.

The cabin is located in a remote area that is not accessible by car. Guests must travel on foot, horseback, off-road vehicle or mountain bike, or, in winter, on skis, snowshoes or snowmobile to reach the cabin. The best route for arriving on foot or horseback is about 2 miles, while off-road vehicles and snowmobiles have a 5-mile route.

Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features:

The cabin is located in the foothills of the Gallatin Mountains at an elevation of 6,200 feet. It is situated on the edge of a meadow in front of a stand of lodgepole pine. The front porch of the cabin offers views of the meadow with the mountain peaks beyond. A small creek flows behind the cabin.

Guests may catch a glimpse of a bear, moose, elk or deer. Several bird species can also be spotted.

Recreation:

The cabin is ideally located along a trail system that connects the Livingston and Bozeman forest districts. A hiking and equestrian trail at the end of Goose Creek Road leads to several alpine lakes. Snowy conditions provide ample opportunities to snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

Area trails are closed to off-road vehicles, dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles, but it is possible for four-wheeler and dirt bike riders to use the old roads in the vicinity.

Facilities:

The cabin has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to four people. A wood stove is available to heat the cabin. Other amenities include a table with chairs, propane lantern, shovel, bucket, mop and broom. The cabin is stocked with firewood from September through June, as well as an axe and splitting maul.

A campfire ring and an outhouse with vault toilet are located outside. A horse corral is provided for four animals, and guests who use it must clean it before leaving. Feed must be weed seed free, and out of state horses must have a current Coggins test. Water for the horses can be taken from the creek behind the cabin.

The cabin does not offer electricity or water. Guests must bring their own drinking water, food, cooking gear and propane canisters for the lantern, as well as their own bedding, dishes, utensils, matches, newspaper, flashlights, garbage bags, extra toilet paper, a first aid kit and dish soap, among other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash removed prior to leaving.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Axe Birding Broom & Dust Pan Bunkbed(s) With Mattresses Cabin Rentals Campfire Rings Cleaning Equipment Corrals Creek Access Cross Country Skiing Firewood Hiking	Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Trails Off-Road Vehicle Trails Propane Lantern (Fuel not provided) Snow shovel Snowmobile Trails Snowshoeing Table & Chairs Trails Vault Toilets Wildlife Viewing Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

The cabin remains locked; within a week of arrival, call the Livingston office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 during office hours (Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.) for the combination lock code
Cabin is accessible only by foot, horse, ATV, ski or snowmobile
Water is not available in the cabin; water obtained from nearby natural water sources should be treated prior to use to prevent Giardia
Cell phone coverage is either limited or not available in this area
Guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Gallatin National Forest (Click here for more information)
No garbage service; please bring garbage bags and pack out all trash and personal belongings
No liquid fueled (white gas) stoves or lanterns allowed in the cabin or on the porch
Please collect your own firewood for campfires
The primary occupant is responsible to ensure all members of their party abide by US Forest Service Regulations
Firing a gun or use of any other weapon is not allowed within 150 yards of the cabin
Maximum group size for using the facility & adjacent area is 15 people
Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to Hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here for more information
Click here for more information about Gallatin National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
45.67098, -110.5453
45°40'16"N, 110°32'43"W

From Newman Creek, foot, ski and horse travel are accommodated. To reach the trailhead, travel south off Interstate 90 (exit 316) on Trail Creek Road for approximately 7 miles, then west on Newman Creek Road to the trailhead (1 mile). The trail to the cabin is 2.2 miles, with the first 1.7 miles crossing private property, so please stay on the trail. For those coming from the south; the Newman Creek Road turnoff is 5.5 miles north of the Trail Creek Road/Divide Road junction. During winter months, Newman Creek Road may not be plowed and an additional 1-mile ski might be necessary to reach the cabin.

From Goose Creek, snowmobile and off-road vehicle travel are accommodated. To reach this trailhead, travel south off Interstate 90 (Exit 316) on the Trail Creek Road for 3 miles, then east on Goose Creek Road for 2 miles to the locked gate. Parking is available at this point. The cabin is located 5.2 miles further up the road. Off-road vehicles must be less than 50 inches wide to maneuver through a slot in the Goose Creek Gate.

It is recommended that winter renters carry topographic maps and compasses for navigation, since the route may be difficult to find due to weather conditions.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

TRAIL CREEK CABIN
5242 HIGHWAY 89 SOUTH
LIVINGSTON MT 59047

Phone Number:

Information: (406)222-1892

TRAIL CREEK CABIN, MT