OutReserve

Strawberry Cabin

STRAWBERRY CABIN
STRAWBERRY CABIN
STRAWBERRY CABIN
STRAWBERRY CABIN
STRAWBERRY CABIN

About Strawberry Cabin

Explore a magnificent recreation and wildlife resource at the doorstep of Montana's Capital City. From prairie to alpine, mayflies to mountain goats, and scenic driving to expert climbing routes -- the Elkhorns you will discover a diverse landscape! Built in 1941, Strawberry Cabin lies at the top of Strawberry Butte (6,100 feet) in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains. The combination of lookout and log cabin are typical of this period. The cabin is an excellent example of a C-46 one room cabin plan, which was designed by William Fox. This cabin style is one of the standard building plans used for housing personnel working at intermediate stations and at lookouts. The C-46 design offers distinctive characteristics of ventral saddle notches and log ends finished in "chopper cut" style, which symbolizes rustic Forest Service log architecture of the second half of the 1930 and early 1940s.

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

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

1 Site Available

Site
Price
🏠 Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN
4 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$50.00
/ per night

Reviews (44)

What Guests Are Saying

Strawberry Cabin offers a clean, cozy, and well-stocked environment, perfect for a relaxing getaway. Guests appreciate the beautiful views, ample firewood, and the cabin's convenient location with easy access, even in winter. However, some concerns include occasional disturbances from visitors, noise from wildlife, and minor maintenance issues, such as the doors not closing properly and a need for additional cookware.

Review Summary

4.3
44 reviews
5
52.3%
23
4
31.8%
14
3
11.4%
5
2
2.3%
1
1
2.3%
1

Daniel N

Verified

April 10, 2022 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

5

The cabin may look a bit stark until you open up the shutters and kick back, but once you're there, it is a warm and inviting place. I was very glad that I rented it before the road opens up to drive to the top, as this area is a popular destination for people to drive to in the summertime. Don't expect any privacy during the summer months. In the winter months, the short mile climb up the last bit of road will get you peace and solitude (mostly). Note that you are still near enough to Helena to see the city lights at night and faintly hear some of the noise of urbanization, but it's never enough to be obnoxious or jarring. I didn't have any mouse/rat problems whatsoever and the cabin appeared to be well sealed, but some people have noted some mouse/rat issues in the past year. Keep the place clean and your food sealed up in hard containers, just to be safe. The only downside about the place is that you really don't have much of a view from the top, as it is treed in. The lookout tower next to the cabin gets above the trees, but the stairs up the tower are locked and inaccessible above the 20 foot level. It would be nice if the cabin also provided the renter with a key to go up to the lookout tower.

Rena S

Verified

January 24, 2022 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

5

Great cabin! Had a beautiful view of the area, cabin had plenty of cooking supplies. There was not enough snow to ski in the whole road, but we managed alright!

Kay B

Verified

January 10, 2022 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

4

We visited this cabin on New Year's Eve. Over a foot of fresh snow had fallen in Bozeman that week, so we figured we were in for a lot of snow. We were able to drive right to the locked gate in a truck with no trouble at all. The snow was pretty deep, but a forest service truck had come that morning and left treads that we could follow. We did snowshoe on the way up but ended up just hiking the way down, sticking to the tire treads.

It was freezing at the top- around -14 degrees when the sun went down- and it did take a couple of hours for the stove to warm up the cabin. Once it did, it was of course boiling hot all night (tends to be the case with these!) so I suggest wearing layers :)

This cabin is adorable and very well-equipped; it's not one of those where there is a single pot and nothing else. Some silverware and tableware, a box of games for kids, a couple of books, and plenty of wood. The privy was very clean.

Sarah L

Verified

November 4, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

1

I got dumped

Shane B

Verified

October 24, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

4

What a wonderful hidden gem, close to it all.

I loved the quaint cabin on top of the mountain. It was clean, well stocked, and plenty of firewood for the woodstove and outdoor fire ring. I highly recommend brining disenfecting wipes or spray and paper towels due to the mice.

Be sure to pay attention to the dates when the road closes and you have to hike up from the gate.

Great get away!

Holly C

Verified

October 5, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

5

Great cabin!

Kristen I

Verified

September 20, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

4

There are four twin beds (two bunk beds). The road is wretched the last mile. We had a surprising number of people (six) roll up checking out the tower (from the ground in the afternoon and possibly higher at 10:30 pm. Cabin was wonderful. Somebody is taking great care of the outhouse. Thanks! Be sure to stargaze if the skies are clear.

Victor W

Verified

September 5, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

5

Great place to stay, very cozy; I was pleasantly surprised with the cleanliness, and all amenities inside the cabin left by other people staying there.

Renee K

Verified

August 10, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

5

What a wonderful experience! It was such a cool old cabin and great bunks!

R Neil O

Verified

July 16, 2021 Stayed at: Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

3

A semi private cabin look out station. Friendly people but the road to cabin is
is not good for the last mile.

Location Strawberry Cabin

Address:
Helena Ranger District, 2880 Skyway Dr
Helena, MT, 59602
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 46.4756 / -111.915

Elevation: 1862 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

The cabin is directly accessible by vehicle annually from May 15th to October 14th.

General

Access to the cabin starting October 15th is by walking up a closed road one mile to the site.

General

Access to the cabin in winter is by snowshoeing, skiing, or dog sledding. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

General

Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.

General

Water is not available at this site. Please bring your own water.

General

Do not leave food or trash outside the cabin.

General

All garbage and food must be packed out.

General

The cabin is a no-smoking facility.

General

Please clean cabin upon departure.

General

Make sure cabin is locked upon departure.

General

Entry to the cabin is by combination lock, code provided in reservation email confirmation.

General

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, or storms that may affect the quality of your visit.

General

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.

General

The area surrounding the cabin is also open to the general public.

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