Window Rock Cabin
Custer Gallatin National Forest
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.
The cabin sleeps four people on twin beds with mattresses. The wood-burning stove can be used for cooking and heating.A table with chairs, broom and dustpan are provided. A campfire ring is located outside. The outhouse has an accessible vault toilet. A horse corral is available with space for six horses. No water or electricity is provided. Guests must bring their own water supply, garbage bags for packing out trash, as well as bedding, lighting, extra toilet paper and matches.
Need to Know
ACCESS:
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 approximatley 200 ft. south along the right side of (FS 620). Please park where safe and allow for passage of plowing equipment and other vehicles. Consider shuttling from the plowed Chisolm parking area located at junction of (FS 62) and (FS 620) (This is the junction for Palisades falls Road) 0.9 miles south to minimize the number of vehicles along this narrow road.
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. (Please Refer to the Gallatin Range and Northern Madison Motor Vehicle Use Map Custer-Gallatin MVUM )
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. Renters 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 juntion 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 out the Friends of Hyalite Facebook page every Friday for winter road condition reports. Friends if Hyalite facebook
Within the Bozeman Ranger District, refunds for weather-related accessibility issues on the day of arrival or later will not be considered.
- Make sure to have the lock combination for the cabin door; the combination code to the cabin is included in the confirmation e-mail or letter
- Water is not available in the cabin; water obtained from nearby natural water sources should be treated prior to use
- Guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Custer Gallatin National Forest; Click here for more information.
- No garbage service; please bring garbage bags and pack out all that you pack in
- Please conserve the provided firewood and restrain from burning the provided firewood outside, especially during winter months. Providing firewood can be difficult and impossible during winter months.
- Burning candles in the cabin is prohibited
- Firing a gun or use of any other weapon is not allowed: a) in or within 150 yards of the developed recreation site; b)across or on a road or body of water; c) in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged
- Hay and feed must be certified weed-free
- Pets not recommended; solid pet wastes must be removed within 100 yards of cabin
- Campfires must be contained within the Forest Service provided fire ring adjacent to the facility; no other campfires are authorized
- The burning of wood pallets is not authorized
- Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more
- Click here for more information about Custer Gallatin National Forest.
- 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
Window Rock Cabin is nestled in Hyalite Canyon, an area with beautiful wildflower meadows during the summer and thick blankets of pristine snow in winter. Evergreen forest and the steep ridges of the Gallatin Mountains surround the cabin.Hyalite creek flows nearby. This area is important habitat for grizzly bears, bison, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, bighorn, wolves and mountain goats.
Recreation
Hikers and equestrians have access to the Hyalite Peak trailhead that leads into an area of the Gallatin Range known for its waterfalls. Two accessible trails in Hyalite Canyon lead to the waterfalls. Bicyclists can use Hyalite Canyon Road. Hyalite Canyon is a popular destination for backcountry skiers and ice climbers. Hyalite Reservoir is a mile away, offering opportunities for non-motorized boating and trout fishing. Elk hunting is excellent in Hyalite Canyon in the fall.
Contact Information
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3710 W FALLON ST. SUITE C BOZEMAN MT 59718
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-522-2520
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
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.
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 )
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
