Horse Prairie Cabin

The staff on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest do a great job of keeping this resource in good shape for visitors (not an easy task I'm sure given the historic nature of the building). This was our 7th trip (one year we had to go to Bloody Dick Cabin) and each year we find new local places to explore. New to experience this year was right at the cabin, and that was a healthy population of Pygmy Rabbits - a unique and endemic population to SW Montana. Coming late in July as we do, each year it seems we are closer to or in the middle of fire season. Air quality was fine, but we did have smoke from the Moose Fire across the divide. We are always mindful of if and when to have a fire in the firepit out front.

The staff on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest do a great job of keeping this resource in good shape for visitors (not an easy task I'm sure given the historic nature of the building). This was our 7th trip (one year we had to go to Bloody Dick Cabin) and each year we find new local places to explore. New to experience this year was right at the cabin, and that was a healthy population of Pygmy Rabbits - a unique and endemic population to SW Montana. Coming late in July as we do, each year it seems we are closer to or in the middle of fire season. Air quality was fine, but we did have smoke from the Moose Fire across the divide. We are always mindful of if and when to have a fire in the firepit out front.

This was one of our favorite cabins we have ever rented. The views are wonderful and the photos on the site do not do it justice. You get to see a long way across the prairie to the mountain range east of I-15 35+ miles away.

The good:
Easy drive weather permitted in a car. If there are medium+ rains you may have a challenge due to the mud not to mention snow.

Excellent Verizon coverage of 4 - 4.5 bars with data too.

Nice propane stove with oven.

A wood stove is in the kitchen.

Nice dining table with 3 backed chairs.

There are 3 bunk beds so 6 beds are available although they are a little noisy. A previous reviewer pointed this out 6 months ago. We told the Dillon Ranger Station also but a month later from our stay they still have not updated the site. Of course you can see 3 bunk beds in the photos.

Propane lights with 2 in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.

Nice ADA vault pit toilet.

A few games and puzzles.

Fire pit.

Lots of wood.

Locked gate for privacy that appears to have been added recently.

Water is supplied June-September and there is a sink that drains outside.

Creek a short distance away but not recommended for drinking.

Heard wolves, coyotes and all kinds of birds with the Western Meadowlark being our favorite. Prairie dogs abound with elk and moose sighted. Some reports of bear sightings in the journals.

The bad:
Notified the Dillon Ranger Station May 18, 2022 that there is no mop or mop bucket or shovel as site states.

Also told them that the ax was was broken and wood splitter maul was barely hanging on.

Swallows a bit irritating with nests around the cabin mostly on the sides. At the time of our stay there were none over the porch fortunately.

There was a thin string across the kitchen area for hanging some clothing but there is no clothes hangers or rods.

According to journals two different people locked themselves out and ended up breaking windows to get back in. Keep back door unlocked please.

Bring fly traps.

This was one of our favorite cabins we have ever rented. The views are wonderful and the photos on the site do not do it justice. You get to see a long way across the prairie to the mountain range east of I-15 35+ miles away.

The good:
Easy drive weather permitted in a car. If there are medium+ rains you may have a challenge due to the mud not to mention snow.

Excellent Verizon coverage of 4 - 4.5 bars with data too.

Nice propane stove with oven.

A wood stove is in the kitchen.

Nice dining table with 3 backed chairs.

There are 3 bunk beds so 6 beds are available although they are a little noisy. A previous reviewer pointed this out 6 months ago. We told the Dillon Ranger Station also but a month later from our stay they still have not updated the site. Of course you can see 3 bunk beds in the photos.

Propane lights with 2 in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.

Nice ADA vault pit toilet.

A few games and puzzles.

Fire pit.

Lots of wood.

Locked gate for privacy that appears to have been added recently.

Water is supplied June-September and there is a sink that drains outside.

Creek a short distance away but not recommended for drinking.

Heard wolves, coyotes and all kinds of birds with the Western Meadowlark being our favorite. Prairie dogs abound with elk and moose sighted. Some reports of bear sightings in the journals.

The bad:
Notified the Dillon Ranger Station May 18, 2022 that there is no mop or mop bucket or shovel as site states.

Also told them that the ax was was broken and wood splitter maul was barely hanging on.

Swallows a bit irritating with nests around the cabin mostly on the sides. At the time of our stay there were none over the porch fortunately.

There was a thin string across the kitchen area for hanging some clothing but there is no clothes hangers or rods.

According to journals two different people locked themselves out and ended up breaking windows to get back in. Keep back door unlocked please.

Bring fly traps.

First time staying in FS cabin. Loved it!! Was clean, had firewood, stayed toasty warm with the wood stove, even with the blizzard we had one morning. Will do it again. The propane cookstove and lights were wonderful. We are used to camping in a wall tent during hunting season and this was a step up for sure. (Still love tent camping too.) Wasn’t sure what equipment/supplies were there so brought our own cooking/cleaning supplies. Though most people could probably get by with the pots, pans and griddle that was there. Vault toilet was clean and well supplied. Nice job FS for the upkeep on this cabin. Cell phone service was great and even able to watch some YouTube.

First time staying in FS cabin. Loved it!! Was clean, had firewood, stayed toasty warm with the wood stove, even with the blizzard we had one morning. Will do it again. The propane cookstove and lights were wonderful. We are used to camping in a wall tent during hunting season and this was a step up for sure. (Still love tent camping too.) Wasn’t sure what equipment/supplies were there so brought our own cooking/cleaning supplies. Though most people could probably get by with the pots, pans and griddle that was there. Vault toilet was clean and well supplied. Nice job FS for the upkeep on this cabin. Cell phone service was great and even able to watch some YouTube.

Great cabin! Just be prepared to provide your own lighting. The lanterns attached to the propane system lacked mantles, and none of the stores in Dillon had them in stock.

Great cabin! Just be prepared to provide your own lighting. The lanterns attached to the propane system lacked mantles, and none of the stores in Dillon had them in stock.

Great setting.

Great setting.