USDA Forest Service · Wyoming

Pole Creek Cabin

USDA Forest Service · Wyoming, United States

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Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
Year-round
Drinking water
No
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
8,232 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
ELAKAWEE (NFSR 456) · native material · high clearance vehicles
Lake
Bighorn National Forest
Nearest town
Buffalo
Address
Powder River Ranger District, 1415 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY, 82834
Activities
Camping, Canoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Pole Creek Cabin is unique in not only its quiet end-of-the-road location, but that it is also located along both a winter snowmobile trail and within the Pole Creek Cross Country Ski Area trail system. In the spring the area is full of wildflowers and wildlife to view and in the fall it would make an ideal hunting camp.

The cabin was built in the mid-1950s by the E-La-Ka-Wee boy scouts for a summer camp retreat. In the early 1990s the cabin was refurbished and used as a winter snowmobile and ski warming hut.

Winter access is possible from the Nordic Ski area parking lot at Forest Developed Road (FDR) 473 and Highway 16, but only by cross country skis or snowmobiles.

Recreation

The cabin is conveniently located for access to a wide variety of year-round activities. Because this cabin is located on both ski and snowmobile trails, it is a great winter activity destination. Some of the summer activities that take place in and around the area include fishing, mountain biking, ATV riding, hiking and hunting.

Facilities

Pole Creek Cabin is a two room cabin that can sleep 4-6 people in the two sets of bunk beds with room on the floor for additional cots or sleeping bags. The main room contains a wood stove for heat, kitchen cabinets and counter, table, chairs and benches. Basic utensils are available in the cabinets. A fire ring and picnic table are just outside the door and a vault toilet is located nearby. Firewood is provided at the site. No drinking water, electricity, trash service or cook stove are provided. Guests should consider packing a cook stove and most other gear they would bring on a regular camping trip.

Natural Features

The Pole Creek Cabin is located at 8,200 feet elevation on the Powder River Ranger District nearest Buffalo, Wyoming. The cabin is surrounded by a lodgepole pine forest and is nestled along the edge of a meadow frequented by moose and a variety of other wildlife species. A short drive from the cabin, one can tour the scenic Crazy Woman Canyon or fish in nearby Tie Hack Reservoir.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Buffalo, Wyoming, is located within a half hour drive for amenities such as grocery stores, swimming pool, historic downtown and a museum.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January25°8°-27°42°11 of 11
February27°8°-26°45°11 of 11
March34°15°-1°56°11 of 11
April38°21°-8°57°11 of 11
May51°30°12°68°11 of 11
June63°42°31°85°2 of 11
July73°50°39°85°0 of 11
August69°47°38°79°0 of 11
September63°42°4°78°4 of 11
October45°27°4°65°10 of 10
November36°16°-18°54°10 of 10
December29°11°-10°47°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 Wyoming · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.