Kading Cabin is located 16 mi south of Elliston, Montana in Helena National Forest. This site has served the Forest Service since the early 1900s when the agency
was forming. It was selected for its central location, trail and wagon road accessibility, and telephone line service at the time, ensuring that it would be valuable
for both administrative and protective work.
The present cabin was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Renovations and repairs were made to the facility in the 1960s and again in the early 1990s.
Today, the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in central Montana.
The cabin is typically accessible by car; however, heavy amounts of snow in winter can close the road to vehicles. Access to the cabin is via a 7-mile stretch of road
passable by snowmobile, snowshoe, skis or dog sled. Guests must be prepared to pack in several of their own supplies.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Jan
Feb
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Jul
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Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
The Kading Cabin offers a delightful and comfortable retreat, perfect for a getaway. Guests appreciate its cleanliness, effective fireplace, and well-maintained renovations, making for a cozy experience. Many plan to return for various seasons, highlighting their overall satisfaction with the stay.
Cabin is in great shape. Enjoyed my stay. Wish I had more time to explore this beautiful area. There will definitely be more in the future. Cow and calf moose visit in the morning. Mountain Lion on the way out.
Nice trip just over the pass for the kid and I. The place has just enough with out being too much. I love the area and just being away from everything. Also love supporting the forest service.
The people before me swept up and it was very clean. The fireplace worked very well. I was actually hot and had to open a window to let some cool air back in. The cabin and bunkbeds were in great shape and the mattresses worked well too. The renovations to the cabin were done really well. I will definitely rent this cabin again during hunting season or even spring and summertime. It was a great stay.
The people before me swept up and it was very clean. The fireplace worked very well. I was actually hot and had to open a window to let some cool air back in. The cabin and bunkbeds were in great shape and the mattresses worked well too. The renovations to the cabin were done really well. I will definitely rent this cabin again during hunting season or even spring and summertime. It was a great stay.
Cabin was fairly nice, with great mattresses. Water pressure is great, but sink water needs to be routed differently outside.
Idiot campers at campground would run loud generator day and night, and would not turn it off at 10 pm, even though they knew they were supposed to. Road coming in is very bad (potholes all over): first couple miles after pavement was good, since I believe it's the county(?) that grades it, but the rest is very bad. Nice fireplace movable grate.
Cabin was fairly nice, with great mattresses. Water pressure is great, but sink water needs to be routed differently outside.
Idiot campers at campground would run loud generator day and night, and would not turn it off at 10 pm, even though they knew they were supposed to. Road coming in is very bad (potholes all over): first couple miles after pavement was good, since I believe it's the county(?) that grades it, but the rest is very bad. Nice fireplace movable grate.
We snowshoed in for a sunny weekend. It was about 5 mi each way. On the last half mile, there hadn't been any snowmobiles in a while and we broke trail. On the way out, we took our snowshoes off about halfway back and finished by walking on fairly packed snowmobile trails.
The cabin was in great shape. The water spigot was working great - what a luxury! Cook stove and lantern worked. Pots and pans are usable. The wood stove is almost brand new and worked great. We had to leave the door cracked to really get the fire going but were able to close it down for the night when it was heated up. Only had to get up one time to feed it during a night with a low in the high teens.
Plenty of wood in the wood shed and a splitting maul. The door on the shed is REALLY tight! I could barely get it opened and then closing it was a real chore. The door needs to be trimmed down some. It's been worked on with a sander but needs more. Bring your plane or spokeshave and get on it! (I will let the FS know.)
We snowshoed in for a sunny weekend. It was about 5 mi each way. On the last half mile, there hadn't been any snowmobiles in a while and we broke trail. On the way out, we took our snowshoes off about halfway back and finished by walking on fairly packed snowmobile trails.
The cabin was in great shape. The water spigot was working great - what a luxury! Cook stove and lantern worked. Pots and pans are usable. The wood stove is almost brand new and worked great. We had to leave the door cracked to really get the fire going but were able to close it down for the night when it was heated up. Only had to get up one time to feed it during a night with a low in the high teens.
Plenty of wood in the wood shed and a splitting maul. The door on the shed is REALLY tight! I could barely get it opened and then closing it was a real chore. The door needs to be trimmed down some. It's been worked on with a sander but needs more. Bring your plane or spokeshave and get on it! (I will let the FS know.)
Perfect winter cabin experience. Great snow conditions made for an easy 5 mi ski in. Cabin was clean and cozy. We enjoyed our stay and hope to visit again.
Located 25 mi southwest of Helena, Montana in the Little Blackfoot drainage, the cabin can be reached via US Highway 12, turning left (south) onto Little Blackfoot River Road just east of Elliston. From this intersection, it is approximately 16 mi...
Located 25 mi southwest of Helena, Montana in the Little Blackfoot drainage, the cabin can be reached via US Highway 12, turning left (south) onto Little Blackfoot River Road just east of Elliston. From this intersection, it is approximately 16 mi to the cabin. The cabin is located on the north side of the road, directly across from the entrance to Kading Campground.
During the winter months, Little Blackfoot River Road is only plowed on a regular basis as far as Hat Creek. Normally, the county plows the road to this point and makes a turn-around for parking. Approximately 7 more miles of unplowed road remain to reach the cabin. This section of road is closed to vehicles but open to those who like to ski, snowmobile or use dog sleds.
The cabin is accessible via US Highway 12, located approximately 25 miles northeast of the cabin. Little Blackfoot River Road provides access from US Highway 12 to the cabin.
Policies & Rules
General
Access to the cabin in winter is by skiing, dog sledding or snowmobiling 7 miles to the site
Entry to the cabin is by combination lock; the code is provided in reservation email confirmation.
Please contact the Helena Ranger District prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit
Do not leave food or trash outside the cabin
All garbage and food must be packed out
The cabin is a no-smoking facility
Please clean cabin upon departure
Make sure cabin is locked upon departure
Learn more about the Helena 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.