Can you reserve a site at Kenck Cabin?

Yes, Kenck Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are campfires allowed at Kenck Cabin?

Campfires are allowed at Kenck Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Kenck Cabin, Montana — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Guests can stay at Kenck Cabin for a rustic getaway in the fresh mountain air. The cabin was built in 1924 by a traveling doctor who arrived in the area in 1904 and spent his entire career along the Rocky Mountain Front. In 2003 the property was donated to the Forest Service by the Kenck Family Trust, and it has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recreation

Guests can relax by the stream, watch for birds and hike the surrounding area. Photographers will particularly enjoy the views of Patrol Lookout found by the gate to the cabin.

Facilities

Kenck is comprised of one room that sleeps six on a double bed, a futon that turns into a double bed and two cots. Heating and cooking is from two wood stoves, and firewood is provided. Cooking utensils and dishes are also provided. The cabin has a replica of an old monarch stove and classic wood dining chairs. No water is available. Renters should bring their own drinking water or be prepared to filter or boil stream water. A bucket and shovel is provided. An outhouse is available directly behind the cabin. Items to bring include trash bags, coolers, food, toilet paper, bedding, flashlights, small propane cylinders for the lanterns. (Click here for more cabin details.)

Natural Features

Perched at an elevation of about 5,200 feet, the cabin sits near a series of flowing water, including Benchmark Creek, South Fork Sun River and Burned Creek. The surrounding area is a mixed conifer forest. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest boasts 1,600 miles of streams and a mix of 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

The nearest town with conveniences is Augusta. The distance is about 30 miles, but due to rough, winding gravel roads, travel time can take an hour and a half to two hours.

The facts

Season: 12/1 – 10/15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: KENCK CABIN

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Kenck Cabin

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 2:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Access	Max rig	People
KENCK CABIN	KENCK CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	Hike In	—	6

Getting there

From Augusta, head west Laura Street, which becomes Benchmark Road. Travel 13 miles to a "Y" intersection and turn left continuing on Benchmark Road. Drive 15 miles to the end of the road at South Fork Trailhead. Take the main trail that runs in front of the outhouse. From the main trail, take the first trail to the right, just after the "Pack-In-Pack-Out" sign. A small sign marks this trail leading to Kenck Cabin. The cabin is about a half-mile down the trail.

Benchmark Road is not plowed in winter and can be snowed in as early as October. Snowmobiling is allowed on the road to the South Fork Trailhead if the road is no longer accessible to vehicles. However, snowmobiling is not allowed on trails beyond that point. Plan to hike, snowshoe or ski on main trail to cabin.

47.50611, -112.89111 · 47°30'22.0"N 112°53'28.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	2.2	2.2	2.3	2.6	3.4	3.5	1.0	1.4	1.7	2.6	2.8	2.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Kenck Cabin

Can you reserve a site at Kenck Cabin?: Yes, Kenck Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Kenck Cabin have?: 1 site.
Are campfires allowed at Kenck Cabin?: Campfires are allowed at Kenck Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Kenck Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Kenck Cabin's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$50/night for single unit

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Kenck Cabin

Ear Mountain Cabin 27.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Fork Campground 0.4 mi · Campground
Benchmark Campground 1.5 mi · Campground
Van Deriet Campground 2.4 mi · Campground
Wood Lake Campground 7.1 mi · Campground
Mortimer Gulch Campground 9.1 mi · Campground
Double Falls Campground 10.5 mi · Campground
Home Gulch Campground 10.9 mi · Facility
Youngs Danaher Backcountry Access 14.3 mi · Facility
Mill Falls Campground 25 mi · Campground
Green Gulch Dispersed Camp Campground 25.2 mi · Campground
Cave Mountain Campground 27.7 mi · Campground

Contact

Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Kenck Cabin