Challenge Cabin
Campground · Montana · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Flathead National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 5
- People per site
- 5,049 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.
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.Facilities
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.
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.The facts
- Season: December 1 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: AREA CHALLENGE CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
1 campsite at Challenge Cabin
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | AREA CHALLENGE CABIN | Cabin Nonelectric | — | — | Springs | — | 5 | 🐾 |
Getting there
48.22917, -113.33028 · 48°13'45.0"N 113°19'49.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 5.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 5.4 | 5.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Reservations can be made one to 180 days in advance. Rental fee is $50 per night. There is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year. Federal Pass discounts do not apply.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Challenge Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at Challenge Cabin?
- Yes, Challenge Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Challenge Cabin have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Challenge Cabin?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Challenge Cabin.
Also listed by
Challenge Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Challenge Cabin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- For fee information visit Recreation.gov
Camping near Challenge Cabin
- Zips Place Cabin 4.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Devil Creek Campground 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Two Medicine Campground 18.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Silvertip Cabin 21.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Anna Creek Cabin 21.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Summit Campground 6.3 mi · Campground
- Peter's Creek Campground 18.7 mi · Campground
- Devil Creek Campground 18.7 mi · Campground
- Devil's Corkscrew Campground 18.7 mi · Campground
- Beaver Creek Campground 21.2 mi · Campground
- Lakeview Campground 21.9 mi · Campground
- Billy Garret Memorial Bridge Access 22.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 406-387-3800
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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