OutReserve

Black Butte Cabin

BLACK BUTTE CABIN 4
BLACK BUTTE CABIN 1
BLACK BUTTE CABIN 3
Black Butte Guard Station
Black Butte Cabin 5

Featured amenities

Sleeping Capacity

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.

Number of accommodations: 1

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on Jul 1

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Sleeping Capacity

Cabin Interior

  • Sleeping Capacity

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

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Site Details

Up to 4 guests
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Reviews (42)

What Guests Are Saying

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.

Review Summary

4.1
42 reviews
5
57.1%
24
4
23.8%
10
3
4.8%
2
2
4.8%
2
1
9.5%
4

Justin T

Verified

October 16, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

5

We had a really good time at Black butte cabin me and my dad have passed it many of times and have always wanted to stay so we made the decision to camp there this year we had a great time and seeing a lot of wildlife.

Justin T

Verified

October 16, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

5

We had a really good time at Black butte cabin me and my dad have passed it many of times and have always wanted to stay so we made the decision to camp there this year we had a great time and seeing a lot of wildlife.

Dwayne M

Verified

August 20, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

1

Constant traffic screaming by. It is like living beside an interstate highway.

Dwayne M

Verified

August 20, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

1

Constant traffic screaming by. It is like living beside an interstate highway.

eric h

Verified

August 18, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

4

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 miles or so. Should be able to get a passenger vehicle through, but take it slow.

eric h

Verified

August 18, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

4

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 miles or so. Should be able to get a passenger vehicle through, but take it slow.

Dwayne M

Verified

August 8, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

2

Beautiful but traffic screaming by all day. Very noisy.

Dwayne M

Verified

August 8, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

2

Beautiful but traffic screaming by all day. Very noisy.

Mark N

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

5

Black Butte cabin was a wonderful experience, nice cabin, peaceful, quiet, beautiful scenery, would love to stay there again

Mark N

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BLACK BUTTE CABIN

5

Black Butte cabin was a wonderful experience, nice cabin, peaceful, quiet, beautiful scenery, would love to stay there again

Location Black Butte Cabin

Address:
5 Forest Service Road
Ennis, MT, 59729
United States

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 44.9181 / -111.826

Elevation: 2722 feet

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: June 4, 2026

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