Flathead Forest offers 14 cabins for rent

Some have electricity, all have either wood or electric stoves for cooking and heating, one has indoor plumbing. Some of the cabins are located right on a road, while others require a short hike, ski or snowmobile trip to access them. Some are available year-round, and others only in winter or other season.

Grizzly bears live in the Flathead Forest, so renters are asked to store food, beverages, coolers and garbage inside the cabin and to pack out whatever is packed in. Commercial use of the cabins is prohibited

Cabins may be reserved by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777, or international 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777, or by visiting online at www.recreation.gov. This reservation fee is $9 online and $10 by phone.

North Fork area

• The Ben Rover Cabin is located 35 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road near Polebridge and accessible most of the year by motor vehicle. Its rustic accommodations include a well, propane cook stove, lights, heater, wood stove  and vault toilet. Party size is limited to eight, with two double beds, one bunk bed and two twin beds. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $50 per night.

• The Ford Cabin, 45 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road near the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, is available May through March annually. The cabin was built in 1922 by Ralph Thayer and was part of the Ford Ranger Station. The cabin features propane stove, lights and heater and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to six with one double bed and two bunk beds. Cost is $35 per night.

• The Hornet Lookout, 45 miles north of Columbia Falls off the North Fork Road, is available mid-June to October. Built in 1922, Hornet was an intergral part of a chain of lookouts in the North Fork and is reached by a one-mile hike. Rustic accommodations include a propane cook stove and lantern, a small wood stove for heat and a pit toilet. Renters should pack their own bedding and water. They can gather firewood in the area. Party size is lilmited to two with cots. The area around the lookout burned during the 2003 Wedge Fire and is coming back with wildflowers and bear grass. Cost is $25 per night.

• The Ninko Cabin is available in winter only, from Dec. 1 through March 31. Located about 45 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road and 12 miles from the road, access requires hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Renters should pack their own bedding and drinking water. Party size is limited to seven with two bunk beds and a small loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $30 per night.

• The Schnaus Cabin is located 42 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road past Polebridge. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove, heater and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to 12 with two double beds and a bunk bed on the main floor and twin beds in the loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $50 per night.

• The Wurtz Cabin is about 46 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road north of Polebridge. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove, heater and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to 12 with two double beds and a bunk bed on the main floor and twin beds in the loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $65 per night.

Middle Fork area

• The Challenge Cabin is available in winter only from Dec 1 through March 31. It’s located 51 miles east of Hungry Horse on U.S. 2 and eight miles south on Skyland Road No. 569. Access involves an eight-mile hike, snowshoe or snowmobile trip. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove and lights, awood stove, firewood and a vault toilet. Renters should pack their own drinking water and bedding. Party size is limited to five with a bunk bed and a small loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $30 per night.

• The  Zip’s Cabin is available from June 1 through March 31 and closed from April 1 through May 1. It’s located 48 miles east of Hungry Horse on U.S. 2 and two miles south on a gravel county road. In winter, renters must hike, snowmobile, ski or snow snowshoe about one mile to the cabin. Party size is limited to eight. The property was originally part of a homestead granted in 1937. Rustic accomodations include a vault toilet, electric stove, refrigerator and lights, electric and propane heat, pots, pans, utensils, cutlery, dishes and cleaning items. Party size is limited to eight with two double beds and four twin beds. Cost is $55 per night.

Spotted Bear area

• The Silvertip Cabin, located 70 miles south of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road No. 38, is open from July 1 through Labor Day. Party size is limited to eight. It’s accessible by a 1 1/2 mile hike on Spotted Bear River Trail No. 83 in July and August and by a 4 1/2 mile long hiked from May 15 through June 30, and Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. Rustic accomodations include a pit toilet. This is a remote cabin. There are no tables or metal fire rings, no potable water and no cell phone service. Stock is allowed, but weed seed free feed is required on all national forest lands. Cost is $50 per night.

Tally Lake area

• The Star Meadows Guard Station Lookout and Cabin is located 27 miles from Whitefish by paved road. The cabin features four cadet electric wall heaters, an electric fireplace, microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishes, pots, pans and utensils. Party size is limited to six, with four single beds and one futon couch that folds into a double bed. Rustic accommodations include a vault toilet, a well with a handpump, an outdoor fire pit and a picnic table. Stock is allowed. Cost is $40 per night. This is a good site for large family gatherings, with ample room for several recreational vehicles or tents. Prior approval is required for outside camping and an additional fee of $5 per night is charged for each camp unit. Call 406-758-5204 to make arrangements.

Swan Valley area

• The Mission Lookout Cabin, located about three miles southwest of Swan Lake on Montana 83 and west at mile-marker 68 on Porcupine Creek Road No. 10229, becomes available in summer on June 1. Built in 1959, the lookout consists of a 15-by-15-foot cabin with windows on all sides perched atop a 40-foot tall wooden tower. Party size is limited to two adults and children. Rustic accommodations include a small bed, fold-up cots, a propane cooking stove and simple cooking utensils, and a pit toilet and fire ring at ground level. Renters will need to bring bedding, firewood and water. Cost is $25 per night.

• The Old Condon Ranger Station is accessed on Condon Loop Road off Montana 83 between milemarkers 46 and 47. Constructed in the early 1920s, the ranger’s residence has been restored for public use. It electricity, running water, a flush toilet in the bathroom, a woodstove, gas furnace and full kitchen with a refrigerator, gas range and oven. Party size is limited to eight, with three bedrooms with a mix of two double and four single beds. Cost is $65 a night.

• The Owl Creek Cabin is located about 10 miles south of Condon off Holland Lake Road No. 44, about four miles east of Montana 83 near milemarker 35. The rustic one-room cabin includes sleeping bunks with mattresses, awood heating stove, electric lights, a small electric cooking stove with oven, and cooking pots, pans and utensils. The cabin is not equipped with running water and there is a pit toilet. Party size is limited to four. Cost is $30 a night.

• The Swan Guard Station is located at the south end of Swan Lake near the village of Swan Lake on Montana 83 at milemarker 69. Constructed in 1909 as a remote ranger station, it’s the oldest building on the Flathead National Forest and has been fully restored and reconstructed. The cabin has electricity but no interior plumbing, a pit toilet and handpump well outside, propane heat and a woodstove. Party size is limited to 10 people, with one bedroom downstairs with a single bed and two upstairs with two double beds and four single beds. Cost is $55 a night.

Outdoor enthusiasts who want a comfortable base of operations while they explore Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the North Fork, the Swan Valley and other parts of the Flathead, the Flathead National Forest has 14 cabins available to rent on an overnight basis.

Some have electricity, all have either wood or electric stoves for cooking and heating, one has indoor plumbing. Some of the cabins are located right on a road, while others require a short hike, ski or snowmobile trip to access them. Some are available year-round, and others only in winter or other season.

Grizzly bears live in the Flathead Forest, so renters are asked to store food, beverages, coolers and garbage inside the cabin and to pack out whatever is packed in. Commercial use of the cabins is prohibited

Cabins may be reserved by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777, or international 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777, or by visiting online at www.recreation.gov. This reservation fee is $9 online and $10 by phone.

North Fork area

• The Ben Rover Cabin is located 35 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road near Polebridge and accessible most of the year by motor vehicle. Its rustic accommodations include a well, propane cook stove, lights, heater, wood stove  and vault toilet. Party size is limited to eight, with two double beds, one bunk bed and two twin beds. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $50 per night.

• The Ford Cabin, 45 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road near the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, is available May through March annually. The cabin was built in 1922 by Ralph Thayer and was part of the Ford Ranger Station. The cabin features propane stove, lights and heater and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to six with one double bed and two bunk beds. Cost is $35 per night.

• The Hornet Lookout, 45 miles north of Columbia Falls off the North Fork Road, is available mid-June to October. Built in 1922, Hornet was an intergral part of a chain of lookouts in the North Fork and is reached by a one-mile hike. Rustic accommodations include a propane cook stove and lantern, a small wood stove for heat and a pit toilet. Renters should pack their own bedding and water. They can gather firewood in the area. Party size is lilmited to two with cots. The area around the lookout burned during the 2003 Wedge Fire and is coming back with wildflowers and bear grass. Cost is $25 per night.

• The Ninko Cabin is available in winter only, from Dec. 1 through March 31. Located about 45 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road and 12 miles from the road, access requires hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Renters should pack their own bedding and drinking water. Party size is limited to seven with two bunk beds and a small loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $30 per night.

• The Schnaus Cabin is located 42 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road past Polebridge. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove, heater and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to 12 with two double beds and a bunk bed on the main floor and twin beds in the loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $50 per night.

• The Wurtz Cabin is about 46 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road north of Polebridge. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove, heater and lights, a wood stove and a vault toilet. Party size is limited to 12 with two double beds and a bunk bed on the main floor and twin beds in the loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $65 per night.

Middle Fork area

• The Challenge Cabin is available in winter only from Dec 1 through March 31. It’s located 51 miles east of Hungry Horse on U.S. 2 and eight miles south on Skyland Road No. 569. Access involves an eight-mile hike, snowshoe or snowmobile trip. Rustic accomodations include propane cook stove and lights, awood stove, firewood and a vault toilet. Renters should pack their own drinking water and bedding. Party size is limited to five with a bunk bed and a small loft. Pets are not allowed. Cost is $30 per night.

• The  Zip’s Cabin is available from June 1 through March 31 and closed from April 1 through May 1. It’s located 48 miles east of Hungry Horse on U.S. 2 and two miles south on a gravel county road. In winter, renters must hike, snowmobile, ski or snow snowshoe about one mile to the cabin. Party size is limited to eight. The property was originally part of a homestead granted in 1937. Rustic accomodations include a vault toilet, electric stove, refrigerator and lights, electric and propane heat, pots, pans, utensils, cutlery, dishes and cleaning items. Party size is limited to eight with two double beds and four twin beds. Cost is $55 per night.

Spotted Bear area

• The Silvertip Cabin, located 70 miles south of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road No. 38, is open from July 1 through Labor Day. Party size is limited to eight. It’s accessible by a 1 1/2 mile hike on Spotted Bear River Trail No. 83 in July and August and by a 4 1/2 mile long hiked from May 15 through June 30, and Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. Rustic accomodations include a pit toilet. This is a remote cabin. There are no tables or metal fire rings, no potable water and no cell phone service. Stock is allowed, but weed seed free feed is required on all national forest lands. Cost is $50 per night.

Tally Lake area

• The Star Meadows Guard Station Lookout and Cabin is located 27 miles from Whitefish by paved road. The cabin features four cadet electric wall heaters, an electric fireplace, microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishes, pots, pans and utensils. Party size is limited to six, with four single beds and one futon couch that folds into a double bed. Rustic accommodations include a vault toilet, a well with a handpump, an outdoor fire pit and a picnic table. Stock is allowed. Cost is $40 per night. This is a good site for large family gatherings, with ample room for several recreational vehicles or tents. Prior approval is required for outside camping and an additional fee of $5 per night is charged for each camp unit. Call 406-758-5204 to make arrangements.

Swan Valley area

• The Mission Lookout Cabin, located about three miles southwest of Swan Lake on Montana 83 and west at mile-marker 68 on Porcupine Creek Road No. 10229, becomes available in summer on June 1. Built in 1959, the lookout consists of a 15-by-15-foot cabin with windows on all sides perched atop a 40-foot tall wooden tower. Party size is limited to two adults and children. Rustic accommodations include a small bed, fold-up cots, a propane cooking stove and simple cooking utensils, and a pit toilet and fire ring at ground level. Renters will need to bring bedding, firewood and water. Cost is $25 per night.

• The Old Condon Ranger Station is accessed on Condon Loop Road off Montana 83 between milemarkers 46 and 47. Constructed in the early 1920s, the ranger’s residence has been restored for public use. It electricity, running water, a flush toilet in the bathroom, a woodstove, gas furnace and full kitchen with a refrigerator, gas range and oven. Party size is limited to eight, with three bedrooms with a mix of two double and four single beds. Cost is $65 a night.

• The Owl Creek Cabin is located about 10 miles south of Condon off Holland Lake Road No. 44, about four miles east of Montana 83 near milemarker 35. The rustic one-room cabin includes sleeping bunks with mattresses, awood heating stove, electric lights, a small electric cooking stove with oven, and cooking pots, pans and utensils. The cabin is not equipped with running water and there is a pit toilet. Party size is limited to four. Cost is $30 a night.

• The Swan Guard Station is located at the south end of Swan Lake near the village of Swan Lake on Montana 83 at milemarker 69. Constructed in 1909 as a remote ranger station, it’s the oldest building on the Flathead National Forest and has been fully restored and reconstructed. The cabin has electricity but no interior plumbing, a pit toilet and handpump well outside, propane heat and a woodstove. Party size is limited to 10 people, with one bedroom downstairs with a single bed and two upstairs with two double beds and four single beds. Cost is $55 a night.