Windy Pass Cabin
WINDY PASS CABIN
Part of Custer Gallatin National Forest
Overview
Windy Pass Cabin was built in 1934. It provides a rustic mountain retreat with few amenities, so guests need to bring most of their own supplies and gear to make their experience comfortable and enjoyable. The cabin is available from June 16th through October 14th each year. It is accessible via a 2.5-mile hike or horseback ride up the Windy Pass Trail with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet.
Facilities
The cabin sleeps four people with a set of bunk beds with mattresses downstairs and two beds in the loft. A wood-burning stove provides heat. A table with chairs, cookware and utensils are available. A horse corral and outhouse with vault toilet are located outside. Drinking water, electricity and firewood are not provided. A spring fed stream runs close to the cabin in spring and summer but may dry up in the fall, another stream flows more reliably 500ft. south of the cabin. All found water sources should be treated prior to human consumption. Trash bags are needed for packing out garbage, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. A cook stove is not provided. Visitors should bring items such as bedding, flashlights or lanterns, matches and extra toilet paper.
Natural Features
Windy Pass Cabin is located near the Gallatin Crest at approximately 8,900 feet in the Gallatin Mountains. A small stream flows just below it. High alpine meadows dotted with evergreens surround the cabin and fill with colorful wildflowers in July. A short walk to the top of the Gallatin Crest offers views of the distant snow-dusted peaks of the Absarokas and the Yellowstone River to the east and the Madison Range to the west. Grizzly bear, gray wolf, mountain lion, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and the Canada lynx are some of the wildlife that inhabit this area. Birders may see a wide variety of bird species.Recreation
The Windy Pass Trail passes by the cabin and takes hikers and equestrians along the ridge and down through the Gallatin Range. Several other trails crisscross the area, including the Gallatin Crest Trail. Hunting in designated areas is also a popular activity.Important Notices
The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code to the cabin is included in the confirmation email or letter
Directions and Access: There is no motorized access to this cabin.
From Bozeman, MT: Drive west towards Four Corners, then south towards Big Sky/West Yellowstone on US Highway 191 for about 35 miles. Turn left (east) onto Portal Creek Road, FS 984. Travel for 3.5 miles to the FS Road 6959 and FS Road 984 junction. Take the right fork (southeast) and stay on FS Road 984 toward Upper Portal Creek/Windy Pass Trailhead and drive for 5.3 more miles. Stay to the left on FS Rd. 984 past the junction of FS Road 2686 (to the Hidden Lakes Trailhead).
From the Windy Pass/Upper Portal Creek trailhead hike Trail 82 for 2.5 miles to the junction with Windy Pass Trail 420. Turn left unto Trail 420 and hike about 1/4 mile to the Windy Pass Cabin. Elevation gain: 1,300 ft.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map and the Interim Summer Trails of the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area) Trails 82, 96, 420, and the area around the Windy Pass Cabin are closed to all motor vehicles year around. Road and trail conditions are subject to high mountain weather that can include rain and snow any month of the year as well as smoke, heat, bugs, etc. Prepare, and plan ahead. You are responsible for your own safety while traveling on National Forest system lands.
Refunds will not be issued for weather related issues, including weather related accessibility issues. It is your responsibility to think ahead and plan appropriately.
Water is not available in the cabin; water obtained from nearby natural water sources should be treated prior to use
Please be aware; this facility is not cleaned between every user visit. Visitors are advised to clean high-touch surfaces upon arrival and prior to departure. Cleaning supplies will not be provided, so it is recommended that guests bring their own.
Hantavirus notice: Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more
No garbage service; please bring garbage bags and pack out all trash and belongings. Do not leave food, oil, tea, coffee, or canned items in the cabin.
Bears frequent the area; guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Custer Gallatin National Forest (Click here for more information)
Firewood is not provided at this cabin. Please be prepared to search for firewood. Please use only dead or downed wood. We strongly recommend you bring a bow saw and/or axe to assist with cutting and collecting firewood. Bow saws are occasionally stocked by FS personnel, but their presence at any given time cannot be confirmed.
Burning of Wood Pallets is prohibited.
Firewood availability is sparse, please consider the needs of others to heat the cabin before having large fires outside.
please do not use parts of the cabin/ outhouse as firewood.
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.
Burning candles in the cabin is prohibited
Federal regulations prohibit firing a gun or use of any other weapon in or within 150 yards of the developed recreation site, or across or on a road or body of water, or in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged
A corral is present on site. Please clean this facility and any stock mess made within 50 yards of the cabin and stream. Hay and feed must be certified weed-free
Pets not recommended; solid pet wastes must be removed within 100 yards of cabin
This Cabin is closed October 15th - June 15th
Click here for more information about Custer Gallatin National Forest
Available Activities
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
- Hunting - Hunting
- Horseback Riding - Horseback Riding
- Hiking - Hiking
- Camping - Camping
Directions
<p>There is no motorized access to this cabin. From Bozeman, MT: Drive west towards Four Corners, then south towards Big Sky/West Yellowstone on US Highway 191 for about 35 miles. Turn left (east) onto Portal Creek Road, FS 984. Travel for 3.5 miles to the FS Road 6959 and FS Road 984 junction. Take the right fork (southeast) and stay on FS Road 984 toward Upper Portal Creek/Windy Pass Trailhead and drive for 5.3 more miles. Stay to the left on FS Rd. 984 past the junction of FS Road 2686 (to the Hidden Lakes Trailhead). From the Windy Pass/Upper Portal Creek trailhead hike Trail 82 for 2.5 miles to the junction with Windy Pass Trail 420. Turn left unto Trail 420 and hike about 1/4 mile to the Windy Pass Cabin. Elevation gain: 1,300 ft. <strong>ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION</strong>: (Please refer to the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r01/custergallatin/publication/GalMadMVUMFront2025.pdf" rel="nofollow">Motor Vehicle Use Map</a> and the Interim Summer Trails of the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area) Trails 82, 96, 420, and the area around the Windy Pass Cabin are closed to all motor vehicles year around. Road and trail conditions are subject to high mountain weather that can include rain and snow any month of the year as well as smoke, heat, bugs, etc. Prepare, and plan ahead. You are responsible for your own safety while traveling on National Forest system lands. <strong>REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR WEATHER RELATED ACCESS ISSUES.</strong></p>
Contact Information
Phone: 406-522-2520
MT
