Ibex Cabin
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Ibex Cabin was constructed in 1939 as a shelter for Forest Service rangers working within the Shields Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest of south-central Montana. It is available for summer and winter recreational use, and provides a peaceful, remote mountain retreat.
Guests can drive to the cabin from June until the snow flies. The cabin is closed April and May due to road and wildlife protection. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. The access road to the cabin may get muddy in the rain, so guests may want to call ahead for road conditions. In the winter, the cabin is only accessible by a 5.5-mile ski, snowshoe or snowmobile trip. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
This cabin offers very rustic accommodations with limited amenities, so guests should be
prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear to make their stay an enjoyable experience.
The cabin has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to four people. Other amenities include a wood stove for heat, a propane lantern , a propane cookstove, ( bring propane cannisters), table, chairs, axe, splitting maul, bucket, broom, mop and shovel.
An outhouse with vault toilet is located outside.
FIREWOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER.
DO NOT BURN PROVIDED FIREWOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES, EVER, AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. Firewood is available during winter months as long as supplies last. A campfire ring is located outside, (collect wood in forest nearby or bring firewood for outside fires).
Electricity and water are not available. Guests must bring their own water supply, as well as cooking gear, propane canisters for the lantern and stove, bedding, matches, newspaper, first aid kit, dishes and utensils, toilet paper and other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out, prior to leaving.
Need to Know
- 5 night maximum stay limit
- The cabin remains locked; guests must CHECK their confirmation letter for the cabin combination.
- ARRIVAL ON 1st DAY OF RESERVATION 2:00 p.m. DEPARTURE ON THE LAST DAY OF YOUR RESERVATION 12:00 p.m.
- Maximum group size for using facility and adjacent area is 15 people
- Water is not available in the cabin; water obtained from nearby natural water sources should be treated prior to use to prevent Giardia
- A high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to access the cabin
- 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
No facilities for horses; bring electric fencing to pasture in meadow and please do not pasture them within cabin fence. Disperse horse manure when leaving and leave area clean.
- Horses can be used on nearby trails; when tying horses to trailers, please clean areas before leaving
Hay and feed brought to the site for stock must be certified weed-free. Out of state horses must have current Coggins test.
Within the Yellowstone Ranger District, refunds for weather or accessibility issues on the day of arrival or later will not be considered. Refunds will also not be considered for conditions resulting from poor housekeeping by previous visitors.
- Please collect your own firewood for campfires
- The primary occupant is responsible to ensure all members of their party abide by USFS regulations
- Firing a gun or use of any other weapon is not allowed with 150 yards of the cabin
- 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
- Please call the Livingston office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892, during business hours: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST, Monday through Friday, for current weather conditions/alerts, information and questions about the cabin.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Natural Features
The rustic cabin is nestled at the edge of a meadow in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. A forest of Lodgepole pine grows behind the cabin, and views from the front reveal the 7,354-foot peak of Ibex Mountain. The surrounding meadow bursts with color from wildflowers in the summer. Mule deer, porcupine and elk may be spotted around the cabin. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
Recreation
There are a number of trails in the area for hikers, equestrians and snowmobilers. Tresspass Trail and Cottonwood Lake Trail are good trails in the area to explore. Trails in the area may cross private property,so guests MUST stay on the trail.
Winter recreation includes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Big game hunting is also a popular activity in this area.
Contact Information
Default
5242 HIGHWAY 89 SOUTH LIVINGSTON MT 59047
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Livingston, travel north on U.S. Highway 89 just past Clyde Park. Turn right onto Cottonwood Bench Road and continue 3 miles. Turn right onto Cottonwood Road and proceed for about 7 miles, to the intersection of Upper Cottonwood Creek Road and Lower Cottonwood Road. Turn left on Upper Cottonwood Creek Road. Take the next right,
continuing on Upper Cottonwood Creek Road. Continue approximately 4.5 miles to an intersection and bear left onto Ibex Road, following the signs for the next 2.5 miles to the cabin. (High clearance four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended due to the rough road conditions).
In the winter, either park along the county road or in the private winter parking area at the intersection of Briggs Lane and Upper Cottonwood Creek Road. This parking lot is maintained by our Forest Service partners, the Big Sky Snow Riders. Please contact them for permission/access to use the parking area, at 406-220-1356.
Please remember to allow for others to turn around and for the county snowplow to be able to operate. Do not block roadways or driveways.
Both parking opportunities are approximately 9 miles from U.S. Highway 89. Ski, snowshoe or snowmobile the remaining 5.5 miles to the cabin.
The Cottonwood area can be extremely windblown during the winter months. Roads drift in with snow quickly during high winds and may not be plowed for 24 to 48
hours. It is recommended that winter guests carry topographic maps and compasses for navigation since the route may be windblown and difficult to find. The signs might be down due to weather conditions or vandalism.
