Challenge Cabin
Flathead National Forest
Challenge Cabin is available during the winter and is located about 60 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, in northwestern Montana. It provides a primitive escape for visitors who enjoy winter recreation. The cozy shelter awards visitors with beautiful mountain views, peaceful sounds of nature and virgin, white snow for great photography and snow play.
Access to the cabin involves an 8-mile trek by hiking, skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The cabin can sleep up to five guests. It is equipped with a propane cook stove, lights, and a wood stove. Furnishings include a table and chairs, a bunk bed and a small loft where additional people can roll out sleeping bags. Basic cooking pots and utensils are supplied, but guests are encouraged to bring their own. Pets are allowed, but cleaning up after them is required.
A vault toilet is provided outside the cabin. Firewood is included for heating in the wood stove.
Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as food, bedding, flashlights, garbage bags and basic camp gear. Click here for more cabin details.
Need to Know
- There is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year.
- Water, electricity and sewer is not provided.
- Check-out time is 1200 pm. Check-in time is 2 pm.
- Refunds will not be given due to inclement weather or road conditions.
- Bears frequent the area; keep all food and garbage in appropriate containers inside the cabin.
- The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code will be contained in the reservation confirmation letter.
- Contact the Hungry Horse Ranger District at (406) 387-3800, during normal office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), for updates on weather and road conditions.
- Please bring garbage bags and remove all trash prior to leaving the cabin.
- Firewood is provided for heating purposes only; please replenish wood supply prior to departure.
- Conserve propane by minimizing use of lights.
- Visitors must clean cabin prior to departure; a fee will be charged if extra clean-up is needed.
- Commercial use of cabin is prohibited.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
This is a remote cabin that may be unoccupied for extended periods of time. Mice may be present in cabin - there are supplies to trap mice and remove safely in cabin. Please do your part to help mitigate rodents by picking up food crumbs, cleaning thoroughly, and trapping mice if they are present.
Natural Features
The cabin sits in a meadow surrounded by a stand of Douglas fir and pine trees, near Challenge Creek. The Hungry Horse Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest grocery stores are in East Glacier and Hungry Horse. Both towns are about an hour-and-a-half drive, in addition to the trek from the cabin.
Recreation
Cross country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Reaching the cabin on the 8-mile access trail is part of the snow sport fun. Visitors might also catch a glimpse of any number of wildlife that lives in the area.
Contact Information
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P.O. Box 190340; 10 Hungry Horse Drive HUNGRY HORSE MT 59919
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-387-3800
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Hungry Horse, travel east on Highway 2 for 51 miles, then 8 miles south on Skyland Road 569. Park in the plowed area along Highway 2, then hike, snowmobile, ski or snowshoe approximately 8 miles along the groomed trail. The cabin is not accessible by car.
Available Campsites
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