Forrest C
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Love this cabin for many reasons. Can not wait to go back.
Helpful
About Black Butte Cabin
Black Butte Cabin is a snug log cabin that sits high in the Gravelly Mountains. Originally part of the old Madison National Forest, the cabin was built in 1919 as an intermediate summer station for inspections of sheep allotments. It sleeps four people and has a beautiful view of Lion Mountain and the headwaters of Standard Creek. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and provides access to numerous trails for hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles during warmer months, and snowmobiles in the winter. The cabin is just off the side of Standard Creek Road 237 and can receive quite a bit of traffic on weekends.
The cabin is open nine months out of the year, July through March, and can typically be accessed by vehicle, in summer and fall, however a portion of the roadway may be muddy or snow-covered, requiring four-wheel drive or chains. Snowmobiles are necessary to reach the cabin in winter, but not allowed until after December 1. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities, including water.
Black Butte Cabin is closed on Mondays for administrative purposes from July into November.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
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Currently open - Jul 1 to Dec 31
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001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
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Cabin
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- 4 guests
Site Details
Up to 4 guests
Reviews
47 reviews
Summary
The Black Butte Cabin is a well-kept and clean accommodation with beautiful views and close proximity to hiking trails. Guests appreciated the serene location and the wildlife sightings, such as a bull moose. However, there were some minor concerns regarding signs of mice and potential issues with local wildlife chewing on car wires.
Based on guest feedback
4.2
Overall rating
Based on 47 reviews
5 stars
59.6% (28)
4 stars
23.4% (11)
3 stars
4.3% (2)
2 stars
4.3% (2)
1 star
8.5% (4)
Showing 47 reviews
Verified Only
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Forrest C
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Love this cabin for many reasons. Can not wait to go back.
Helpful
Mark N
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Black Butte cabin was a wonderful experience, nice cabin, peaceful, quiet, beautiful scenery, would love to stay there again
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Mark N
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Black Butte cabin was a wonderful experience, nice cabin, peaceful, quiet, beautiful scenery, would love to stay there again
Helpful
Dwayne M
VerifiedAugust 8, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Beautiful but traffic screaming by all day. Very noisy.
Helpful
Dwayne M
VerifiedAugust 8, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Beautiful but traffic screaming by all day. Very noisy.
Helpful
eric h
VerifiedAugust 18, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Beautiful setting for a cabin! Sits high above an open meadow with stream and has views of mountains and buttes in the distance. We did some hiking at the Wolverine basin and hiked up toward Freezeout mountain - quite lovely, but you'll have to use a map and navigational skills as the trail to Freezeout is not well marked and is not visible in the grass. The cabin is also near access to the Black Butte which can be climbed (we'll have to do it next time).
The cabin itself is large enough inside for 4 people to sleep and eat comfortably. Here are a couple of caveats:
1. There is no food prep/cooking table - only the dining table. It would be worth your while to bring along a camping table.
2. The 2-burner portable camp stove looked like it had been dropped and was completely covered with grease. It worked - boiled our water - and we got a lot of the grease off, but you might be better off bringing your own.
There was some traffic the weekend we went, but it wasn't terribly distracting. The outhouse across the street was used occasionally by nearby camping parties and also served as a turn-around point for trucks and ATVs.
The road there was quite rutted and rocky in spots, particularly the last 5 mi or so. Should be able to get a passenger vehicle through, but take it slow.
Helpful
eric h
VerifiedAugust 18, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Beautiful setting for a cabin! Sits high above an open meadow with stream and has views of mountains and buttes in the distance. We did some hiking at the Wolverine basin and hiked up toward Freezeout mountain - quite lovely, but you'll have to use a map and navigational skills as the trail to Freezeout is not well marked and is not visible in the grass. The cabin is also near access to the Black Butte which can be climbed (we'll have to do it next time).
The cabin itself is large enough inside for 4 people to sleep and eat comfortably. Here are a couple of caveats:
1. There is no food prep/cooking table - only the dining table. It would be worth your while to bring along a camping table.
2. The 2-burner portable camp stove looked like it had been dropped and was completely covered with grease. It worked - boiled our water - and we got a lot of the grease off, but you might be better off bringing your own.
There was some traffic the weekend we went, but it wasn't terribly distracting. The outhouse across the street was used occasionally by nearby camping parties and also served as a turn-around point for trucks and ATVs.
The road there was quite rutted and rocky in spots, particularly the last 5 mi or so. Should be able to get a passenger vehicle through, but take it slow.
Helpful
Dwayne M
VerifiedAugust 20, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Constant traffic screaming by. It is like living beside an interstate highway.
Helpful
Dwayne M
VerifiedAugust 20, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN
Constant traffic screaming by. It is like living beside an interstate highway.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Black Butte Cabin
5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729 United States
Elevation: 2,722 ft
Getting There
Black Butte cabin is located one quarter mile from the junction of Forest Service roads FS290, FS1012 and FS237. From Ennis, travel south on US Highway 287 for about 32 mi to the West Fork Rest Area. Turn right onto West Fork Road/Forest Road 20...
Black Butte cabin is located one quarter mile from the junction of Forest Service roads FS290, FS1012 and FS237. From Ennis, travel south on US Highway 287 for about 32 mi to the West Fork Rest Area. Turn right onto West Fork Road/Forest Road 209 and continue for about 2 mi. Turn right onto Standard Creek Road/Forest Road 237 and travel 18 mi to the cabin. This is the easiest option by snowmobile. Maps may be purchased by calling the Madison Ranger District.
Another option is to take MT287 southwest of Ennis, toward Virginia City, about 2 mi to the Varney Road, which will lead to the Gravelly Range Road FS290, total distance about 40 mi. A third option is south of Alder, up the Ruby River on Centennial Road, FS100. From FS100, travellers can reach the Gravelly Range Road FS290 from Warm Springs Road FS163, Cottonwood Road FS1012 or Eureka Basin Road FS347.
All roads in the Gravelly Range are closed to wheeled motorized use from April 1 through June 30. Over snow vehicles are permitted December 2 through May 15. Snow can make the cabin inaccessible by vehicle in late October and November.
Highway access
Black Butte Cabin is accessible via US Highway 287, which is approximately 32 miles from Ennis. Other access options include Montana Highway 287 and various Forest Service roads.
Near Yellowstone National Park
The closest entrance is: West Entrance
Approximate drive: 49.2 mi · over 1 hr (84 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- The cabin is locked, and you'll need a combination available with your receipt. Call for assistance during business hours.
- Check-in is at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Safety & rules
- Familiarize yourself with safety guidelines for bears, water, and weather hazards before booking.
- There may be a risk of hantavirus exposure due to mice droppings in the cabin.
- Pack out all garbage and food; do not leave anything behind.
- The cabin is not cleaned between visits; bring cleaning supplies and clean before leaving.
- Renting in October and November may involve risks of snow and inaccessibility.
Utilities
- There is no water or electricity at the cabin.
General
- Learn more about the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Fires & fuel
- Do not move firewood; obtain it locally to prevent pest spread.
Site types & loops
- Horses are not allowed at this site and there are no horse facilities.
Site capacity
- The cabin can accommodate a maximum of four people; no additional guests, tents, or campers are allowed.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: November 5, 2026
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Explore Ennis, MT
Population: 777
Nearby city: Bozeman, MT
Approx. 65 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 4,941 ft
Ennis, MT
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service