West Boulder Cabin

$75.00/night

5242 HWY 89 SOUTH
LIVINGSTON, MT 59047

Overview

West Boulder Cabin is open year-round, offering a variety of recreational opportunities as well as relaxation. Guests can drive to the cabin in warmer weather but should be prepared to snowshoe, ski or snowmobile up to a mile on county roads in the winter.

The cabin has electric lights and an electric cook stove. A refrigerator is also provided. Rental camping equipment, such as ice chests, bear spray, campstoves, etc., are available locally in Bozeman. Guests will need to bring many of their own supplies to ensure a comfortable stay.

Recreation

Hikers and equestrians can find trails leading west into the Absaroka Mountains which connect to a network of trails in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The winter landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Anglers can fish for Yellowstone cutthroat and rainbow trout in the West Boulder River.

Facilities

This three-room cabin has electric lights, an electric cook stove, and a refrigerator. Amenities include five single beds with mattresses, a table with chairs, basic cookware and utensils, some cleaning gear, an axe, maul, bucket and shovel. A wood-burning stove is provided for heat.
FIREWOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER. Firewood is available for INDOOR use only during winter as long as supplies last.

There is a campfire ring, picnic table, and a vault toilet outside. Firewood is provided for use in the wood heating stove only. DO NOT BURN PROVIDED WOOD OUTSIDE AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE AND IS NEEDED FOR WINTER USERS INDOORS. Guests must bring their own wood or collect wood from the nearby forest for campfires.

Water is not available at the cabin, but potable water is available FROM APPROXIMATELY MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY at the adjacent West Boulder Campground. Guests must bring their own drinking water the remainder of the year or treat water from the river to use for drinking and cooking.

Guests are expected to clean the cabin and pack out their trash before leaving. Garbage bags are not provided. Visitors should plan to bring items like a flashlight, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper and first aid kit.

Natural Features

West Boulder Cabin sits at an elevation of 5,538 feet on the edge of a meadow near the mouth of the West Boulder River Canyon. The cabin is just steps away from the river and adjacent to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Aspen and lodgepole pine forest and the snow-speckled peaks of the Absarokas mark the surrounding landscape.

This area is home to moose, mule deer, elk and grizzly bear. Birders may spot bald eagles, owls, Stellar's jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Largest party: 5 people

Fees

Request for refunds or cancellations must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service in accordance with their policy. Changes to online reservations can only be made via the NRRS Contact Center: 1-877-444-6777. Within the Yellowstone Ranger District, refunds for weather or accessibility issues on the day of arrival or later will not be considered. Refunds will also not be considered for conditions resulting from poor housekeeping by previous visitors.

Directions

From Big Timber, Montana, travel 16 miles south on Highway 298 to McLeod. Just past the turn off to McLeod, turn right (west) onto West Boulder Road for approximately 6 miles. It turns into Swingley Road. Drive on Swingley Road for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto West Boulder Road. The cabin is between West Boulder Campground and the trailhead parking area. During winter months, it is advisable to call the Livingston Office of the Yellowstone Ranger District at (406) 222-1892 for local road conditions. Winter access may only be possible by snowmobile, snowshoes or cross-country skis for up to a mile on county road.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

29 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Tammy `

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 17 days ago

We always enjoy our annual visit to this wonderful cabin! Cabin was clean and everything in order - although rearranged from all prior years. We love how roomy and having separate kitchen, living/dining and a bedroom, and having electricity and a stove and refrigerator - so convenient with lots of kids! We love the front porch and easy access to river and trails. The wood stove works great!

Geena C

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

We were able to snag this up for a last minute booking just because I love FS cabins and we were passing through the area, and I was blown away! Not our first FS cabin but definitely our first with electricity, a fridge, more than one open room, and a very nice accessible road! Literally ANYONE can “camp” at this cabin! The outhouse is the nicest one we’ve experienced! The river winding all around the property was beautiful! The surrounding mountains were beautiful! I’d love to come back and hike around, and take more of it in! The woodshed was fully stocked for winter. The cabin was very clean! We saw nor heard any sign of mice! This FS cabin was so luxurious compared to more remote ones we’re use to staying at! I wouldn’t really call this one remote because even though it’s an hour from Livingston, and there’s no cell service- there’s private land and homes the whole way, and a campground within sight of the cabin. Which all could be a good thing in case of an emergency. We saw lots of mule deer, and whitetail deer, even in our short time. It is the only place we’ve not caught a fish at all- “that’s why they call it fishin, not catching haha”. One night was definitely not enough in this beautiful cabin and area for these 4 and a golden retriever! Thank you FS for another wonderful experience!

Ken Y

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great Cabin, Great location, terrible road, minimal users

Dan F

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

We loved the location and privacy of the cabin and area! Played in river ALL weekend! It was such a cool area under the bridge. Drove to Natural Bridge one day! Played card games with kids on picnic table by fire. Bring your shade for above the picnic table. Beautiful and lush area!

Gina C

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

This place was awesome! Definitely a long, but beautiful drive out there but really worth it. No cell service for miles but it was perfect accommodations for our stay. The cabin was so insulated, we really didn’t need the fire going but did anyway with the windows open. The surrounding area was beautiful and large enough for an entire family to stay. Well definitely plan to come back sometime.

Tasha D

Loop:Area West Boulder Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 6 months ago

We love this cabin and will be going often this summer. The electricity is super helpful with a baby! The extra room makes it very convenient for our family with different bedtimes

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Moderate

Busiest in November, when about 56% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 4 years of reservations.