OutReserve

Rillway Cabin

RILLWAY CABIN

About Rillway Cabin

Rillway Cabin is located 14 miles east of Townsend, Montana along scenic Deep Creek in Helena National Forest. Its history can be traced to Dr. A.C. Kelly, a physician who arrived in Townsend in 1915 and served as mayor from 1920-1924. In 1918, Dr. Kelly obtained a term permit from the Forest Service for the cabin site. The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922, then sold to Nellie Hale Averill and her son-in-law, Floyd L. Hollaway. By 1924, the cabin was known as "Rillway," a combination of the Averill and Hollaway family names. Today the cabin is a comfortable, rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It offers the easiest access of any cabins on the Helena National Forest, being accessible by vehicle year-round. Several amenities are offered, but guests will need to bring some of their own supplies.

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
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Dec

Open year round

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

365 Days

01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 6 guests
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Reviews (44)

What Guests Are Saying

Rillway Cabin offers a beautiful and comfortable retreat right on Deep Creek, ideal for larger groups with ample parking and cozy accommodations. Guests appreciate the serene atmosphere, multiple fire pits, and the absence of cell service, enhancing relaxation and connection with nature. However, some reviews mention rodent issues, particularly pack rats, which guests are advised to manage by using hard-sided storage for food.

Review Summary

4.4
44 reviews
5
59.1%
26
4
29.5%
13
3
6.8%
3
2
2.3%
1
1
2.3%
1

Jesse C

Verified

April 23, 2026 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

Awesome cabin to stay in, right on Deep Creek.

Mike O

Verified

April 5, 2026 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

Cabin was very nice and comfy for our little retreat of 7.
Great place to Rest, Reflect & Rejuvenate. Would certainly do it again.

Evangelina F

Verified

September 4, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

Love going to Rillway.
Make sure to bring propane for the lantern, it gets really dark, before October bring your own firewood. The fire pit is amazing. We love reading the journals and setting by the stream.
And the best part … no cell service.

Heather S

Verified

September 3, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

Very luxurious cabin compared to many other forest service cabins. Great spot for larger groups, with plenty of parking. Very nice spot, comfy beds. There is a Coleman and a propane lantern provided for anyone reading this, and a sink without running water but nice to do dishes if you bring your own water! We didn’t have any mouse problems like others did but we did see a mountain lion outside around midnight!

Rangers- the door handle on outhouse is broken. We kept a boulder in front of the door to keep it shut.

Kent H

Verified

August 11, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

Loved it here, amazing spot, kids didn't want to leave. No verizon service, but good service ~5 min west. Close to fast road. Still 5 star.

Glenn W

Verified

July 24, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

1

This is a sadly declining cabin in a beautiful area. I have stayed in 20 different forest service cabins throughout Montana (including this one) before and not had to deal with pack rats. The forest service is aware of the pack rats and even provides a trap and instructions on how to trap them. Mice are common in the other cabins but are easier to trap and don't have the awful odor of a pack rat.

John P

Verified

April 11, 2025 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

5

So Relaxing And So Enjoyable At The Rillway Cabin.

Anthony P

Verified

December 7, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

4

Had a great experience with my son. Wood shed was well stocked. Cabin was clean.

Anna E

Verified

October 25, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

2

Two of us stayed here on October 16-18, 2024. Such a lovely cabin with great indoor and outdoor spaces. Multiple places to have a fire, indoor and outdoor, and firewood provided this time of year. There is a picnic table outside, access to a creek/water, and a very clean pit toilet. Easily accessible by vehicle and had everything we needed. Some significant rodent activity was noted during our time here. Surely this is mostly a result of the time of season - as it's getting colder outside - but we wished we would've known before about their activity before our stay.

Bryson W

Verified

October 23, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: AREA RILLWAY CABIN

4

Cabin is in good shape and has a brand new wood stove. 3 bunk beds can easily accommodate 6 people. Outhouse was relatively clean and well kept. Provided firewood for winter months is for indoor use so pick up some firewood nearby for the outdoor fire pit. The creek behind the cabin is very nice! White Sulphur Springs has an excellent hot spring that is worth visiting. There is highway noise but it’s not overly bothersome.

We really did enjoy our time here, but unfortunately there is an active pack rat infestation and they will get into your things. Make sure to bring hard sided totes to store food and elevate trash bags. Also, on our last night we discovered what appeared to be a chinchilla (not exactly sure what it was) scurrying around the kitchen. It seems to have taken up residence in the cabin. The caretakers of the cabin are working towards taking care of the rodent problem but as of now it is still an issue.

Location Rillway Cabin

Address:
415 S. Front Street
Townsend, MT, 59644
United States

Highway access

Rillway Cabin is accessible via United States Highway 12, which can be reached from Townsend. The cabin is located approximately 14 miles east of Townsend along Hwy 12.

Latitude & Longitude: 46.3335 / -111.241

Elevation: 1425 feet

Policies & Rules

General

  • Entry to the cabin is by combination lock, your reservation confirmation email will have the combination code.
  • 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.

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service