Crandall Creek Cabin
Campground · Montana · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Gallatin National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 6
- People per site
- 1
- Accessible site
- 6,414 ft
- Elevation
Overview
A historic cabin known as Bennett Creek Cabin was located over a mile from this site, but it was recently replaced with the current Crandall Creek Cabin, a traditional log structure. This cabin offers rustic accommodations with limited amenities, so guests should be prepared to bring most of the supplies and gear they need for a comfortable stay. Access to the cabin is via a semi-primitive dirt road. Four-wheel drive is suggested on this road from June 16 to Dec. 1. Guests who arrive after Dec. 1 must get to the cabin by hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling seven miles from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. No off-road vehicles or motorcycles are allowed beyond the Shields River Loop gate from Dec. 2 to June 15. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.Recreation
Activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, birding, hunting, horseback riding and during the summer months, ATV's and motorcycles may be used on the main roads if street legal. Winter activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Excellent fishing is available in the nearby creeks. Hunting is also a popular pastime in this area each fall.Facilities
The cabin can sleep up to six people, in three available bunk beds with mattresses. A table with benches, a wood stove for heat , a propane lantern and propane cookstove are provided. There is a mop and bucket for cleaning the cabin.
FIREWOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER.
DO NOT BURN PROVIDED FIREWOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES,EVER, AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. Firewood is available during winter months as long as supplies last. An axe and splitting maul are also supplied.
Both the cabin and adjacent vault toilet are wheelchair accessible. There is a campfire ring and picnic table outside.
No water, electricity or propane canisters for the lantern or stove are provided. Guests need to provide their own water supply as well as bring propane canisters or battery-operated lanterns or flashlights.
A propane two-burner cookstove is provided for cooking. A table is available to set up the propane camp stove. Guests need to bring bedding, matches, toilet paper, first aid kit, cookware, dishes, utensils and newspaper for starting woodstove and propane canisters for lantern and Coleman stove for a comfortable stay.
A stock corral is provided for four animals. If the corral is used for stock, it must be cleaned before leaving. Feed must be Certified Weed Seed Free and out-of-state horses must have a current Coggins test. Water for the horses can be obtained from a creek nearby.
Natural Features
Crandall Creek Cabin is tucked beneath the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. The front porch of the cabin offers a majestic view of Target Rock and spectacular star gazing on a clear night.The cabin is situated at an elevation of approximately 6,400 feet, near several creeks and the Shields River. This area is home to bears, elk, deer and moose, among other wildlife species. Birders may spot a variety of birds.
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- 1 accessible site
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: CRANDALL CREEK CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables.
1 campsite at Crandall Creek Cabin
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CABIN | CRANDALL CREEK CABIN | Cabin Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
Crandall Creek Cabin is located approximately 24 miles northeast of Wilsall, and 52 miles from Livingston.
From Livingston, travel north on Highway 89 to Wilsall. Turn right from Highway 89 onto Shields River Road. Follow Shields River Road past where the pavement turns to dirt and continue straight approximately 5.5 more miles to a fork in the road, and take the left fork towards the Shields River Camp (approximately 2 miles to the camp). About 100 yards beyond the campground, take a left onto a gated road. The cabin combination code will open the gate. The cabin is located 200 yards down this road. Due to road conditions, a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is suggested.
From Dec. 2 through March 31, the last seven miles of the access road to Crandall Cabin are not plowed. Plan to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile this distance from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. It is recommended that winter renters carry topographic maps and compasses for navigation, since the route maybe wind-blown and difficult to find. Signs may be down due to weather conditions or vandalism.
46.18556, -110.40528 · 46°11'8.0"N 110°24'19.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Requests for refunds or cancellations must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service, in accordance with their policy. Changes to online reservations can only be made via the NRRS Contact Center: 1-877-444-6777. Within the Yellowstone Ranger District, refunds for weather or accessibility issues on the day of arrival or later will not be considered. Refunds will not be considered for conditions resulting from poor housekeeping by previous visitors.
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 Crandall Creek Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at Crandall Creek Cabin?
- Yes, Crandall Creek Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Crandall Creek Cabin have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Crandall Creek Cabin?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Crandall Creek Cabin.
- Are campfires allowed at Crandall Creek Cabin?
- Campfires are allowed at Crandall Creek Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Crandall Creek Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Crandall Creek Cabin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $65.00
Restrictions:
- This cabin is available for reservations January 1 st thru March 31 st and June 16 th thru December 31 st yearly. Crandall Creek Cabin is closed April 1 st to June 15th each year.
Accessibility:
- Access to the cabin is via a semi-primitive dirt road, Four wheel drive is necessary from June 16 th to December 1 st . After December 1 st getting to the cabin involves a seven(7) mile hike, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile ride from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. No ATV’s or Motorcycles are a
Camping near Crandall Creek Cabin
- Porcupine Cabin 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ibex Cabin 12.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Battle Ridge Cabin 31.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shields River Dispersed Site 0.1 mi · Campground
- Castle Mountain Range 11.6 mi · Facility
- Halfmoon Picnic Area 12.7 mi · Facility
- Halfmoon Campground 12.8 mi · Campground
- Spring Creek Campground 27.8 mi · Facility
- Richardson Campground 29 mi · Campground
- Grasshopper Campground 29.7 mi · Campground
- Daisy Dean Camp Campground 30.3 mi · Campground
- Battle Ridge Campground 31 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 406-222-1892
- Email wurie@fs.fed.us
- 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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