Meadow Creek Cabin

Overview

Meadow Creek Cabin was originally built in the early 1920s and used as a guard station, which consists of five buildings. The main cabin contains the office, a sleeping area and the kitchen. The bunkhouse contains a main room and loft. There is also a tack shed, woodshed and outhouse. Since 1932, Meadow Creek has served as a workstation, with field crews occasionally utilizing the bunkhouse.

The cabin is nestled among the pines on a steep-sided canyon along Meadow Creek. Plan on a 15-mile hike or horseback ride to this remote backcountry cabin, which is typically available from May 1 to September 15.

Recreation

Several trails are available in the area to explore by foot or horseback, including the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail and the Butte Creek Trail. Anglers can enjoy fly fishing for trout in Meadow Creek after July 1st each year.

Facilities

The rustic cabin has six beds with mattresses, a living room with wood heat, and kitchen facilities with a wood cook stove. A propane refrigerator, dishes, cookware, kitchen utensils, Coleman lantern (no fuel provided), mop, bucket, broom, fire extinguisher and lights are provided.

Modern bathroom facilities and electricity are not available. An outhouse is located near the cabin. An indoor but untested water system is available; all water should be filtered or boiled for five minutes. The propane tank is located on the back porch.

A corral is provided for stock use and any grazing should take place beyond the grassy area in front of the cabins. Visitors must being weed-free feed for their stock.

Visitors should bring garbage bags for packing out trash. The cabin does not have matches, bedding, flashlights, first aid supplies or Coleman fuel. Click here for more information about this cabin.

Natural Features

Meadow Creek is a major tributary of the Selway River and is known for its clean, cold water and unspoiled beauty. Big game species found in the area include black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer and cougar. Visitors may also spot the Coeur d'Alene Salamander, which is only found in areas near the Selway River and Meadow Creek. Beaver, mink and otter may also be seen.

Nearby Attractions

Indian Hill Lookout is near the cabin and just outside the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The present tower was built in 1951 and the cabin is occupied by staff during the summer months.

Travel to Lowell, Idaho, located approximately midway between Lewiston, Idaho and Missoula, Montana on Highway 12, milepost 97 at the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers. Cross the bridge and drive 20 miles up the Selway River. Cross the Selway Falls Bridge on the right. Travel about a mile to the trailhead at Slim's Camp. It's a 15-mile hike or horseback ride on National Recreation Trail #726 to Meadow Creek Cabin.

Another route is from Elk City by way of Kirk's Fork Trail #830 to Anderson Butte, then Butte Creek Trail #809 to the Meadow Creek Trail #726. Take a right on this trail approximately 1/4 mile to the Meadow Creek Cabin. This route is open to motorcycles the whole way. This route is a total of approximately 14 miles to the cabin.