Racetrack Cabin
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Racetrack Cabin is a rustic one room log cabin located along Racetrack Creek in the Flint Range of western Montana, near the Continental Divide.
The cabin is remotely located and was built to house miners in the 1930s. It was later donated to the Forest Service and refurbished for use by the public.
Guests will be in for a true remote cabin experience with plenty of opportunities for exploration and no distractions from cellular or internet service. There are several motorized and non-motorized trails in the area that lead to scenic lake basins and sweeping views of the surrounding area. Some of the lakes and streams in the area offer excellent fishing.
Access to the cabin requires a vehicle with high clearance in the summer months and over the snow travel in the winter months. This is an extremely primitive forest road, be prepared to deal with ruts, downed trees and washouts. Road is impassible to wheeled vehicles in winter. Guests need to plan for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling 6-8 miles one-way to reach the cabin during during winter months. It is recommended that guests obtain a map and call the Pintler Ranger Station if unfamiliar with the area.
The primitive, one-room cabin is equipped with two sets of bunk beds and can sleep up to four people. It has a table and chairs, 2 burner propane stove (BYO propane bottles), Battery powered lantern (4 Ds), utensils, 4 plates, 4 bowls, pots, pans, cast iron, french press, can opener, grater, measuring spoons, mixing bowls, cutting board, kitchen knives, spatula, spoons, wash basins, drying rack, sponges, rags, and a 5 gallon water jug. Paper towels, toilet paper, matches, newspaper, hand sanitizer, and garbage bags are stocked fairly often but are not guaranteed.
There is a wood stove for heat. Firewood is usually provided but cannot be guaranteed. A splitting maul and hatchet are available in the wood shed. Please do not split wood in the cabin and only use provided wood to heat the cabin. Gather wood from the forest for outside fires in order to ensure there is enough cured wood for the next visitor.
Bleach, Dish Soap, Murphy's wood oil, Pine Sol, a mop, broom and bucket are provided.
Cupboard space is available within the cabin, as well as a storage box for food. An outhouse with is provided outside of the cabin.
There is no electricity, water or sewer at the cabin. Guests need to bring water for cooking, cleaning and drinking or collect and treat water from the nearby creek. Other items to bring include propane bottles (1 lb coleman style), D batteries, bedding, sleeping pads, pillows, towels, map, and other desired equipment.
Cell phone service is nonexistent in the area, even with a cell booster. Guests must pack out all trash and food, and clean the cabin before leaving.
Need to Know
For questions and concerns, please call the Pintler Ranger District at (406) 859-3211, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The cabin remains locked; a confirmation email containing the lock combination will be sent after booking, please check the email for the combo. Feel free to call the ranger station to confirm the code prior to your booking.
Water is not available at this cabin. It is recommended you bring your own supply or a way to purify water from the creek.
This facility is located in a remote location. Vehicle access cannot be guaranteed at any time due to ever-changing weather and road conditions. The last 4 miles of the road to the cabin are narrow and rutted with protruding rocks. High clearance 4X4 vehicles are necessary for this section. Drivers must be comfortabe with rouegh steep pitches and slow driving. Due to a large number of beetle killed lodgepole pine in the area, guests are advised to bring a saw to clear fallen trees.
- Be Bear Aware; for more information about recreating in bear country, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/home/?cid=stelprdb5324172.
- Hantavirus; guests should be aware of the risk of exposure to Hantavirus while staying in the cabin. Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/transmission.html for more information about Hantavirus.
All food and garbage must be packed out.
A map may be helpful for locating this facility. Visit the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf for more information. Maps are available at each District Ranger Office.
- 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.
Natural Features
The cabin is situated next to Racetrack Creek on the east side of the Flint Creek Range at an elevation of about 6,300 feet in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
The surrounding area is densely forested with steep canyon walls and sweeping view from the ridge tops.
There are abundant lakes beyond the cabin, and they can be accessed by UTV/ATV, motorcycle, bike, or foot.
The area is popular for hunting deer, elk and blue grouse, and dozens of alpine lakes provide good fishing. Bears may also frequent the area (grizzly and black bears) (learn more about bear safety).
Nearby Attractions
Two interesting sites are located in or near Deer Lodge, Montana, which is about an hour away. One is the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, a working cattle ranch operated by the National Park Service just outside of Deer Lodge. The Old Montana Territorial Prison in Deer Lodge was built by convict labor in 1871 and once housed a member of Butch Cassidy's "Wild Bunch". Both are nationally recognized historic sites.
Recreation
The area offers many opportunities for exploration, relaxation, and enjoying the natural environment.
Trout fishing is popular in the nearby creek, and the mountain lakes in the vicinity.
Access to the lakes requires hiking, biking, or riding an OHV. Hunting is also popular in areas around the cabin.
Some trails are not open to all OHVs, and the travel map should be checked prior to arrival.
The Pozega lakes trailhead is 1/2 mile beyond the cabin, and it is about 3 miles to the lakes. It is readily accessible by foot, and with advanced ability by motorcycle and ATV. It is a 50 inch or less OHV trail and not open or advisable for larger OHVs.
Visitors also enjoy cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the area during the winter. Various weather conditions can increase avalanche danger in the area and visitors are encouraged to carry proper backcountry equipment, including a beacon, shovel and probe, while recreating.
Changes & Cancellations
Reservations are nonrefundable unless extenuating circumstances warrant otherwise. Determination will be made on a case by case basis.
Contact Information
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88 Business Loop Phillipsburg MT 59858
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-859-3211
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Attention: The road to Racetrack Cabin is impassable to low clearance vehicles. The last 4 miles to the cabin is an extremely rough and rutted road with large rocks protruding from the road surface. High clearance vehicles such as trucks and SUV's can make the crawl up the road but should allow themselves extra time. The road is not plowed to the Forest Boundary in the winter. Guests should be prepared to ski/snowshoe/snowmobile up to 8 miles one way, distance to cabin and parking availbilty fluctuate with snow and road conditions. For additional information about accessing the cabin, please call (406) 859-3211.
From Missoula, travel East on Interstate 90 to the Racetrack exit #195. Turn right (west) onto Galen and drive about 1 mile, then turn Right (North) onto Willow Cr Rd. Turn Left (West) onto Bowman Road, which changes to Modestry Cr Rd. and proceed onto Racetrack Road 169 and continue about 16 miles to the cabin. The Ractrack Campground will be on your left approximately 5 miles before the cabin. Maps may be purchased by calling the Pintler Ranger District.
Vehicle access cannot be guaranteed any time of year due to ever-changing weather or road conditions. In the winter, guests must be prepared to travel up to 14 miles to the cabin on skis or snowmobile from the end of the plowed road.
