Bishop Mountain Cabin

Love the new table. Wahoo!

We had a wonderful time! The views were amazing and the road was is in really good condition (apparently they had just graded it!). My kids and dogs had a fun time exploring the area around the cabin. The screen porch was nice for cutting down on the bugs while still enjoying fresh air, but it needs some repairs, so it didn't keep everything out. The cabin was pretty dusty, so we wiped everything down before we settled in, but it was in decent condition otherwise. The mattresses were more comfortable than others we've slept on, but still pretty firm. This is our second forestry cabin and it is definitely going in our permanent rotation :)

I had been wanting to visit this location for a long time. It is very secluded (which I like) and the road is pretty rough for the last five miles or so, believe it when they say don't try this in a car.I never felt the need to use four wheel drive, it's mostly picking your way around deep ruts and rocks. I deliberately went late in the season (late October)in the middle of the week,I had no visitors at all.(also no flies or mosquitoes) The lookout tower is interesting but you aren't allowed to climb up. The cabin is nice but smells smoky.Make sure to read how to light the stove,there are instructions on the wall and better ones in a binder but I didn't see them until later.They recommend using crumpled newspaper to light the stove and very specific instructions to follow to avoid smoking yourself out of the cabin.There was plenty of firewood stocked in the screened in porch.After getting the stove going it kept me warm all night,I stoked it up good right before going to bed.It got down to 29 degrees and snow on the ground when I got up. Make sure you have lanterns or light of some sort and bring plenty of water.Overall it was a very nice stay and I enjoyed it very much and I intend to go again next year.I also enjoyed reading other people's experiences in the log books there. I wouldn't recommend staying here as a base to visit Yellowstone or other places as it takes too long to drive the 14 miles back to the highway.However long you are planning to be here I would plan on staying here for the duration.Because it snowed overnight it took me an hour to get back down to the highway.The light snow made the road muddy. The next day I had planned on bike riding in Harriman Park but due to the light snow and cool temps (32-34 degrees)I went sight seeing to Henry's Lake,Big Springs,Island park dam and Mesa Falls and Sawtelle area.There is a lot to see in this area without driving very far once you're on the highway.Overall I had a great time and I highly recommend it.

We had a great stay at this cabin. The views are spectacular. Got to see a some small wildlife and glimpses of larger ones and a lot of their tracks. We pulled out the telescopes and had great views of the sky. Yes the cabin has soot, likely from someone hanging a propane lantern in the middle of the room. You are NOT going to get up the road in a car or even a small SUV. We had a 4WD and still had to take it very slow in order to drive safely. Be prepared to take your time.

The only issue we had was while we were out hiking a family of four entered the camp ground on 4 Wheelers. Even with the gate closed behind us and a sign saying foot traffic only please respect the renters privacy. This family was in the campground for nearly 20 minutes while we hiked back. We stopped them and spoke to them about the sign and the fact they shouldn't be there. The woman became beligerent saying it was her right to be there they came all the time. We notified Law Enforcement. When they saw the vehicle parked in front of the cabin, you would have thought they would have left. But no, they wandered around -we don't know what they were able to access, but we did have belongings that we had thought would be secure while we left for a short period. Nothing was stolen that we could tell, but we did have some high dollar valuables that would not have been accessible if they wanted. They should not have passed the gate. I would SUGGEST PLEASE THAT A CHAIN AND A LOCK BE ADDED TO THE GATE so renters may leave the area to explore and know their vehicles and other outside belongings are safe.

Amazing cabin. Overall had a wonderful experience. Huckleberries we’re abundant. Can’t wait to go back! Definitely recommend bringing a bike lock or some sorts for the gate to the cabin. Had some unwanted visitors on side by sides open the gate and drive up.

Stayed there Sept 20-21 of 2021 and left a 5 star review. Since that time nothing at all has been improved. Where is all the money going?

Nice view, fancy wood cook stove, nice floor & nice dining table with chairs so we are not all negative. Firewood was stocked unlike last time. Lady who answers the phone is very pleasant. Price is a mere $30 when most every USFS cabin is now being raised to $50+ at least in Montana. So we compliment where we can.

However...
You have to rent 2 nights if you rent on a Friday or Saturday.

You still have to pick up the key & return & they give you a form to fill out inventory to list any issues. But guess what... They do NOTHING about those issues!

No attempt to fix the road to help people access with cars. We had a SUV so fine.

The fire extinguisher expired years ago! Reported last year.

Smoke detectors still do not work. Reported last year.

Squirrel still coming into walls and ceiling in evening & night. Reported last year.

Still soot all over walls and ceiling. Is there no deep cleaning ever? This is a registered historic site but you do not maintain? Reported last year.

Made the suggestion last year that they allow somebody to come in & fix these issues in exchange for a free stay. Probably not legal per government regulations but a solution was suggested.

Last year we stayed on a Monday night & had no visitor issue. This year on a Fri/Sat stay we had a huge group of 12 show up and start flying drones. We also had dirt bikers ignore the sign & rode up & climbed the fenced off tower. It does not help that renters can't lock the gate to keep vehicles out & the signs says people are still allowed to come in but just do not drive in of the gate is closed. It is ignored.

Sure go ahead & still stay there but maybe go during the week & bring a chain and lock. The $30 price is nice too. Our complaints are the issues should be fixed and the cabin cleaned.

Roads up were very poor, more Atv friendly than 4wd friendly. Made it fine in old pickup but makes for long drive. Beautiful scenery all the way. Cabin is perfect for what it is. Very rustic, stove works incredibly well and keeps you warm. Plenty of wood for chopping. Others have left extra supplies and cards and games which came in handy when it snowed.Early June is perfect for snow flurries, and too early for berries or mushrooms. Bring atvs and can explore for days and days. Only had 1 group come up to cabin otherwise very secluded. Didn't see any critters besides birds and squirrels. Mice are plentiful but we only heard at night and never sis see them. Keep stuff clean and not an issue. Fun adventure

This is a quaint little cabin. The views are amazing on top of this mountain. The road in is a bit tough. I did speak with the rangers and was informed that they will be working on road conditions in spring 2022. We had no visitors, but we stayed during the week. Thus cabin has minimal cooking pots so bring yours. If I end up back here I will bring and leave them for all guests. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay as we always do. Thank you USFS for all you do.

Super place & view.

The good:
The unit actually has curtains for privacy so Bigfoot can't see you naked although they are stained and yucky looking.

4 bar 4G service with Verizon.

Has a Mealmaster B44n wood cook stove with oven and water reservoir. See YouTube videos on how to use if not familiar. Wood ONLY goes on the top left. So funny/SAD that people have put wood into every single opening and burned. Not thinking about where the smoke is to go? YEP! DUH!

Very nice dining table with chairs & nice additional table.

Two storage cabinets for food and gear.

Only a little wood left when we were there.

Nice sized screened in porch.

Picnic table with fire pit.

Old school non ADA pit toilet but it had a modern toilet seat which was nice compared to your butt on some boards.

The existing fire tower is fenced off & not maintained. People have broken in to climb but it is a law violation to do so.

Gate for privacy & sign to respect renters but while it says to not drive up it says you can walk in anyway.

Bring oven mitt

The bad:
It's a very rough road getting there & will take about 45-60 minutes once you leave the paved road. Do not try and take a car as you will be SORRY!

No mice but there is a loud squirrel that gets into the attic and walls throughout the afternoon and night.

We've been to over 20 lookouts and cabins recently but this is the only one we had to go and get the keys from the ranger station in Ashton. All the others have combination locks at the actual rental. Then you have to return the keys back. Mighty inconvenient. They also give you a status report and inventory list. We discovered the fire extinguisher had expired 3 years ago & neither smoke detector worked even when we replaced the batteries.

The interior walls and ceiling are a soot covered mess from fire and lanterns. Since this on the National Register of Historic Places it is sad that it is not maintained better.

We would stay again and the lady at the office was so very nice.

Great stay at the Bishop Mountain Cabin. Rough road to get there, but worth the trip.