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

Strawberry Cabin, Loop: STRAWBERRY CABIN

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Pull-Through
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews (88)

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
88 reviews
5
52.3%
46
4
31.8%
28
3
11.4%
10
2
2.3%
2
1
2.3%
2

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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!

Location Strawberry Cabin

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

Highway access

The property is located approximately 15 miles south of Helena and is accessible via Interstate 15, taking exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518.

Latitude & Longitude: 46.4756 / -111.915

Elevation: 1862 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • The cabin can be accessed by vehicle from May 15th to October 14th each year.
  • From October 15th, access to the cabin is by walking one mile on a closed road.
  • In winter, access is via snowshoeing, skiing, or dog sledding, with driving limited to about a mile away.
  • Access to the cabin is via a combination lock with a code sent in the reservation email.

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Safety & rules

  • Snowmobiling is prohibited in the area surrounding the cabin.
  • Guests are required to pack out all garbage and food after their stay.
  • Smoking is not permitted inside the cabin.
  • Guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
  • Guests should ensure the cabin is locked when they leave.
  • The area around the cabin is accessible to the general public.

Utilities

  • There is no water available at the cabin; guests must bring their own.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Food and trash should not be left outside the cabin to prevent wildlife attraction.

Local regulations

  • Contact the Helena Ranger District before your visit for any restrictions or conditions that may affect your stay.

Fires & fuel

  • Do not move firewood; obtain it near your destination to prevent pest spread.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service