USDA Forest Service · Montana
Upper Ford Cabin Rental
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,989 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
- YAAK 92 (NFSR 92) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Kootenai National Forest
- Nearest town
- TROY
- Address
- 12858 US HWY. 2, TROY, MT, 59935-8750
- Phone
- 406-295-4693
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Historic Sites, Hunting, Snowmobile Trails
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The Upper Ford Ranger Station is situated near the Yaak River at an elevation of 2,984 feet within the Rocky Mountains in Kootenai National
Forest. This remote cabin was built in 1926 and was at the heart of the Upper Ford Ranger District until 1942, when it was
combined with the Yaak Ranger District and became a remote work center.
The cabin is open year-round and is accessible by car. Several amenities are provided, but guests will need to bring some of their own supplies and gear.
Recreation
Fishing in the Yaak River and nearby streams can yield a variety of trout, as well as kokanee salmon, mountain whitefish, large scale sucker and long nose dace. Big game hunting is also possible in the area.
Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, which is located in the very northwest corner of the Yaak Area, offers several hiking trails. Equestrian trails are near the cabin.
Winter brings skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing opportunities for all experience levels.
Facilities
This 900 square foot cabin can sleep up to 10 and comes furnished with 1 queen bed with mattress, 2 twin beds with mattresses and 1 double futon upstairs. A double
futon and single futon are located downstairs. Other amenities include a propane stove, refrigerator, propane heater, table with benches, chairs, table settings for 8,
kitchen tools and cleaning gear.
An outhouse with vault toilet is located nearby. Across the road is a horse corral.
Electricity and potable water are not available. Guests must bring enough water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, first aid supplies, garbage bags, dish soap, dish towels and dish cloths are not available. Guests are expected
to pack out all trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Natural Features
The cabin is situated on the slope of Clark Mountain in the Purcell Range above the Yaak River drainage. The Yaak River and its many tributaries provide habitat for a variety of trout. The Yaak area is heavily forested and features several lakes scattered at varying elevations.
The area is home to grizzly bears, wolves, elk, deer and a variety of smaller mammals and birds (bear safety).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 22° | -27° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 19° | -20° | 45° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 42° | 29° | -3° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 34° | 14° | 66° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 60° | 42° | 33° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 49° | 36° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 62° | 45° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 60° | 50° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 52° | 37° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 52° | 37° | 29° | 71° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 38° | 30° | 0° | 55° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 26° | -9° | 43° | 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
- Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
- Pete Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Caribou Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Gilnockie Creek · BC Recreation Sites · 9 mi · 3 sites
- Whitetail Yurt · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.