USDA Forest Service · Montana

West Boulder Cabin

USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States

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Sites
1
Hookups
1 electric
Season
Year-round
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Elevation
5,545 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
WEST BOULDER CAMPGROUND (NFSR 7051) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Nearest town
LIVINGSTON
Address
5242 HWY 89 SOUTH, LIVINGSTON, MT, 59047
Phone
406-222-1892
Activities
Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking

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About

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.

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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January32°18°-20°46°11 of 11
February31°15°-19°49°11 of 11
March40°21°4°59°11 of 11
April44°27°1°63°11 of 11
May53°36°18°66°7 of 11
June66°44°33°88°0 of 11
July79°53°43°93°0 of 11
August78°53°46°89°0 of 11
September69°46°23°82°2 of 11
October53°33°11°73°9 of 10
November41°24°-11°62°9 of 10
December32°18°-4°46°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

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.