West Fork Cabin (W Of Choteau)
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
West Fork Cabin is a rustic Forest Service Guard Station located 39 miles northwest of Choteau, Montana, on the Rocky Mountain Front Range. The cabin is a stone’s throw from the North Fork Teton River and about 3.5 miles beyond Teton Pass Ski Resort. Open year-round, the cabin provides access to a wide range of summer and winter recreation activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
This rustic cabin is accessible via paved county road, then gravel Forest Service road. During the winter months when the ski area is operating, the Forest Service gravel road is plowed to the ski area. Beyond that point, guests will need to ski, showshoe or snowmobile to travel the last 3.5 miles to the cabin. The cabin is available year-round for rental, seven days a week. Contact the Ranger District for current road conditions.
The single-room cabin is divided into a kitchen and dining area plus a sleeping area. It sleeps six adults with two sets of bunk beds and two folding cots. A vault toilet is located outside.
The cabin is heated by propane, and a limited amount of firewood is provided for the wood stove. A propane cook stove is also included. Although a ramp leads into the cabin and outhouse, the interior is not designed to meet accessibility standards.
No electricity or refrigerator is available so guests will need to bring coolers. The area is covered by a special food storage regulation from March 1 through December 15 designed to minimize bear/human conflicts. All food must be stored in bear resistant containers or inside the cabin or a hard-sided vehicle when unattended. Water is available at a hand pump outside the cabin. Recommended items to bring include sleeping bags, food, toilet paper, a lantern, towels, matches and first aid kit.
Need to Know
Entry into the cabin is by key. Check in/out time is 2:00 p.m. Please check your email for information on regarding key pickup and other important information.
Contact the ranger district at (406) 466-5341 during normal office hours with questions.
Please bring garbage bags; this is a “pack it in, pack it out” facility
No pets allowed inside cabin
Maximum occupancy is six. No camping units will be permitted at the cabin site. Large groups or trailers and RVs can utilize the campground just down the road from the cabin
Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept unavailable to bears in approved containers or inside the cabin or a hard sided vehicle from March 1 through December 15
A maximum of nine head of stock can be kept in the corral. Stock must be fed 100% supplemental feed. All hay, grain, straw, cubes, pelletized feed or mulch must be certified as being noxious weed free or noxious weed seed free in accordance with Special Order L&C 97-10
Clean cabin prior to departure; a fee is charged if extra clean-up is required
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
Set in the Rocky Mountain Front Range, the cabin sits in the valley of the North Fork Teton River near Mount Werner and Mount Wright. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest boasts 1,600 miles of streams and several small natural and man-made lakes. Native wildlife includes grizzly and black bears, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, lynx, bighorn sheep and grey wolves.
Nearby Attractions
Food, fuel and other supplies are available in Choteau, 39 miles from the cabin.
Recreation
Recreation opportunities include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Downhill skiing is offered at the ski resort located about 3.5 miles from the cabin.
Contact Information
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1102 MAIN AVENUE N. PO BOX 340 CHOTEAU MT 59422
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-466-5341
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Highway 89 about 5 miles north of Choteau, go west on Teton Canyon Road that becomes Forest Development Road (FDR) #144 at the Forest boundary. Stay on this road past the ski area about 3.5 miles to the road end. Cabin is located behind the locked gate to your left just after you cross the bridge. In the winter the road is not plowed beyond the ski area. Guests can park in the ski area parking lot. All vehicles parked overnight at either the snowmobile parking lot or the ski area parking lot will be issued a parking pass to put in their window by the district office when the cabin key is issued.
