USDA Forest Service · Montana
Whitetail Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 electric
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,049 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- WHITETAIL ADMIN. SITE (NFSR 4466) · scoria · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Custer Gallatin National Forest
- Nearest town
- ASHLAND
- Address
- PO BOX 168 2378 HWY 212, ASHLAND, MT, 59003
- Phone
- CALL FOR COMBINATION PRIOR TO YOUR STAY - M-F 8:00 TO 4:30 CALL 406-784-2344. AFTER HOURS OR WEEKENDS CALL 406-740-1594.
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Historic Sites, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Mountain Biking
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Whitetail Cabin sits at an altitude of 4,048 feet in the north end of the Custer National Forest approximately 20 miles from Ashland, Montana. The cabin was built in
the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Formerly a ranger station, it is now a registered historic site.
The cabin is available year-round and is accessible by car, but guests should be prepared to hike about 100 yards to the cabin in winter, depending on road conditions. Some creature
comforts are provided, but guests will need to bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular options in the area. Horse facilities are provided at the cabin.
In winter, the landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The cabin is popular with hunters during elk, deer and turkey hunting seasons.
Facilities
The 2-room cabin sleeps 4 and comes furnished with 2 sets of bunkbeds with mattresses, a table with 4 chairs, electric range, electric refrigerator, cleaning equipment
and some basic cooking and eating utensils. A wood burning stove is provided, along with a limited supply of firewood.
A picnic table and campfire ring are located in front of the cabin. An outhouse with pit toilet is located nearby. Horse facilities include a corral, 1
hitching rails and approximately 5 acres of fenced area to contain livestock. Seasonal spring water can be used for livestock consumption only, but guests should call the Ranger District to check water availability in advance.
No water is available at the cabin. Guests must bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, and towels are not available. Guests are
expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Natural Features
The cabin sits in an open area backed by a stand of ponderosa pine. It is located in the Ashland Ranger District, which features a landscape of ponderosa pines and steep rocky outcroppings.
Custer National Forest supports populations of bear, mule and whitetail deer, antelope, elk, cougar and bobcat
( bear precautions ). A variety of birds also inhabit the area.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 14° | -26° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 11° | -37° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 43° | 25° | -2° | 75° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 51° | 31° | 2° | 79° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 64° | 43° | 28° | 85° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 54° | 43° | 104° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 63° | 49° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 60° | 50° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 52° | 34° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 61° | 38° | 22° | 82° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 49° | 29° | -7° | 68° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 18° | -1° | 56° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Holiday Spring Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Red Shale Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
- Blacks Pond Campground · USDA Forest Service · 25 mi
- Cow Creek Campground And Picnic Area · USDA Forest Service · 26 mi
- Diamond Butte Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 27 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-04. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.