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Camping · Montana

BIRCH CREEK CABIN

USFS · Campground · Fee

Fast facts

Cost
Fee charged
Managed by
USFS
Type
Campground
Hours
Open year-round.
Reservations
recreation.gov
Phone
406-683-3900
Nearest dump station
Newland Ranch Dump Station · 56.3 mi
Coordinates
45.4153, -112.8547
Last verified
September 19, 2026
45.4153° N · 112.8547° W
Last verifiedSeptember 19, 2026

About this place

Overview Birch Creek Cabin is a historic log cabin with electricity. It provides access to a variety of hiking, ohv, and for cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails (depending on the season). A vaulted toilet lies 100' west of the cabin. Guests can typically access the cabin by vehicle, depending on conditions. The roads leading to the cabin are gravel - but suitable for passenger cars (depending on the season and snow levels). The final quarter-mile may be covered with impassible snow during the winter, requiring skis, snowshoes or snowmobile to complete the route. There is a reliable parking area just off of the Birch Creek Road near the Thief Creek Bridge. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation An extensive network of hiking trails exists on the surrounding peaks and valleys. Some lead to alpine lakes, which offer quality mountain fishing. Grayling, cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout can all be found in the mountain waters. There are two popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails adjacent to the cabin. The Birch Creek Loop and the May Lake Ski Trail both traverse through the area. Old mining roads are plentiful in the area, providing excellent opportunities for exploration on foot, bike, ohv or horseback. Facilities The two-room log cabin is equipped with bunkbeds and mattress pads that will sleep up to four people. A separate kitchen has a table and chairs, an electric cook stove, pots and pans and basic eating and cooking utensils. A wood stove is available inside the cabin for heat. Firewood is provided, but not guaranteed . Please be conservative with wood, this will help us maintain the supply for heating purposes. An axe is provide but do not split wood inside the cabin or on the porch. Finally, if the wood supply is low please call the Dillon Ranger District at (406) 683-3900 and leave a message if calling outside of regular business hours. An outhouse with a vault toilet is available outside the cabin. Drinking water is unavailable at this time, sorry for any inconvenience. Guests will need to bring their own bedding, including blankets and pillows, as well as matches, food, toilet paper, garbage bags and other necessities. Wood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed. Those staying at the cabin during the winter months will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Guests are asked to clean the cabin and carry out all trash upon departure. There is no cell phone reception at the cabin. Limited cell phone coverage may be obtained near the Forest Boundary to the east (carrier dependent). Natural Features The cabin sits below a historic Civilian Conservation Corps work camp at the confluence of Birch Creek and Thief Creek. It is situated on the eastern slopes of the Pioneer Mountains in southwestern Montana, and was used as a forest ranger station as early as 1908. A forested picnic area is nearby. An abundance of wildlife live in the area, including elk, moose, deer, pine marten, wolverine, northern goshawk, wolf, black bear and (rarely) grizzly bear. Nearby Attractions Farlin Mining Community, Torrey Mountain, Tweedy Mountain, Thief Creek Road (passable in summer and fall), Aspen Picnic Area, Dinner Station Campground, Bond Lake Trailhead, Deerhead Lake Trailhead, Minneopa Trailhead. From Willow Creek Road - Gorge Lake Trailhead, Torrey Lake Trailhead, Rainbow Lake Trailheads

From the USFS.Official page

Is BIRCH CREEK CABIN free?

No. BIRCH CREEK CABIN charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.

How do I get to BIRCH CREEK CABIN?

The cabin is about 20 miles northwest of Dillon, MT. Take the Apex exit, where you turn west and travel the Birch Creek gravel road for 7 1/2 miles to the Education Center turnoff. Depending on snow conditions you may have to park at this turnoff. Cross the bridge and take the first turn right on the Thief Creek Road. The cabin is about 1/4 mile to the west at Thief Creek.

Nearby

SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.

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Disclaimer TerrainKit is an independent product with no affiliation with, sponsorship from or endorsement by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service or any other public agency. Site and access information is compiled from publicly available sources and can go out of date without notice. Confirm current rules, closures, fire restrictions and stay limits with the managing ranger district or field office before you camp.
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47.5053° N · 111.3008° W
BIRCH CREEK CABIN, Camping in Montana - TerrainKit