Overview

Window Rock Cabin was built in 1940 and now offers a year-round retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. It is ideally located in one of Gallatin National Forest's most popular recreation areas.

The cabin is accessible by car in the summer. During the spring (from March 31st through May 15th) the road to the cabin is closed to motorized vehicle traffic every year. Guest should be prepared to hike or bike 12 miles to the cabin during this period.

During winter months the access road is infrequently plowed, so guests should be prepared with a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle or to ski up to 12 miles to the cabin.

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

Facilities

Natural Features

Recreation

Important Notices

• The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code to the cabin is included in the confirmation email or letter

• Directions and Access: Access to Window Rock Cabin is affected by seasonal road closures. (See below and refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map)

  May 16th - March 31st: From Bozeman, MT: Drive south on S. 19th Ave. for about 7 miles. Turn left onto Hyalite Canyon Road (FS 62). Drive 11.7 miles on the Hyalite Canyon Road to Junction with Hyalite Canyon South Rd (FS 620). Turn right (More like continue straight onto (FS 620) and continue on with Hyalite resevoir on your right for 0.9 miles to The Window Rock Cabin access road on your right. The cabin combination will unlock the green gate. Please close the gate behind you. Pass through the gate and travel for 0.1 mile to the cabin.

  • During winter months the road is not plowed past the green gate for the final 0.1 mile approach to the cabin, there should be enough of a pull out in front of the gate to park a vehicle or two, and another pullout on the road approximately 200 ft. south along the right side of (FS 620). Please park where it is safe and allows for the passage of plowing equipment and other vehicles. Consider carpooling or shuttling from the large plowed Chisolm parking area located 0.9 miles south.

  April 1st - May 16th: SPRING ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: Hyalite Canyon Road, FS 62, closes to all motorized vehicles the evening of March 31 through May 16. Cabin renters must be prepared to walk, ski, or bike approximately 12.3 miles to the cabin when the road is closed. E-bikes, of any kind, are considered motorized vehicles by the Custer-Gallatin National forest and are prohibited during this time. (Please Refer to the Gallatin Range and Northern Madison Motor Vehicle Use Map.

   Snowmobiles are not allowed at this cabin or anywhere in Hyalite Canyon past Moser Road FS 6210.  

  Hyalite Canyon Road (FS 62) is intermittently plowed during the winter:

  4-wheel drive, snow tires, tire chains, as well as other winter driving equipment is highly recommended when winter weather conditions are expected at mountain elevations.

  Gallatin County plows Hyalite Canyon Road, with 60% of costs reimbursed to the county, mostly by the Friends of Hyalite with an additional contribution by the Forest Service. Without this partnership, and the resources the partners provide, winter access up Hyalite would be dramatically different. In this unique partnership, the county has agreed to plow Hyalite with the understanding that their primary responsibility is to first take care of county roads for their residents.

  This means Hyalite Canyon Road is plowed only after higher-priority county roads are addressed, resulting in irregular and often delayed maintenance. Hyalite visitors should NOT assume that the road will get plowed immediately after every storm. Plowing sometimes does not occur for several days or longer. Guests should be aware that winter weather conditions may at times not allow vehicle access past the lower hyalite gate located 2 miles south of the junction of Hyalite Canyon Road and S 19th Ave. and should be prepared for the possibility of needing to hike or ski the rest of the way.

  Check the Friends of Hyalite Facebook page Friday's for winter road condition reports. Friends if Hyalite facebook 

  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.

• Bears frequent the area; guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Custer Gallatin National Forest (Click here for more information)

• Provided firewood is for indoor use only for indoor heating and cooking. Cabin users will bring or gather firewood for outdoor use. Provision of firewood is difficult at all times of year and impossible during the winter months.

  • Burning of Wood Pallets is prohibited.

  • Campfires must be contained within the fire ring adjacent to the facility; no other campfires are authorized.

• Candles are not permitted inside the cabin

• Federal regulations prohibit firing a gun or use of any other weapon in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, across or on a road or body of water, or in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged; violators will be prosecuted. Target Shooting is prohibited in the Hyalite Canyon Drainage.

• Pets are not recommended at the cabin; solid pet wastes must be removed within 100 yards of cabin

Available Activities

• WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
• WINTER SPORTS - Cross Country Skiing
• HUNTING - Hunting
• HORSEBACK RIDING - Horseback Riding
• HIKING - Hiking
• FISHING - Fishing
• CAMPING - Camping
• BIKING - Mountain Biking

Directions

<p>From Bozeman, MT: Drive south on S. 19th Ave. for about 7 miles. Turn left onto Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62. Drive about 12.7 miles to the Window Rock Cabin access road and gate on the right (west) side of the road. Use the cabin combination to unlock the gate. Please close the gate behind you. Continue past the gate for about 200 meters to Window Rock Cabin. <br><br>Winter Route, December to March 31: the directions are the same except that you must park at the junction of Hyalite Road FS 620 and the Window Rock Cabin access road (which is 12.7 miles from S. 19th Ave.) From there you may hike, ski, or snowshoe the final 200 meters to the cabin. Please park in the wide pullouts to the side of the road so that snowplows and other Forest visitors can pass. <br><br><strong>Hyalite Canyon Road, FS 62, closes to all motorized vehicles the evening of March 31 through May 15. Cabin renters must be prepared to walk, ski, or bike approximately 12 miles to the cabin when the road is closed. ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map ) </strong><br><br>Snowmobiles are not allowed at this cabin or anywhere in Hyalite Canyon past Moser Road FS 6210. <br><br>Hyalite Canyon Road FS 62 is intermittently plowed during the winter</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 406-522-2520

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip