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Indian Flats Cabin

This cabin is located off Forest Service Road #138 in the Big Belt Mountains. The present Indian Flats Cabin started its days as the Conway Station on Rock Creek in the Jim Ball Basin. The original Conway Station probably predates the Forest Service. This station was used as a way-station for rangers headquartered at the Checkerboard Ranger Station located above the town of Nelson. The present cabin was built on the same location in 1944 and in 1969 it was relocated to its present location below Indian Flats. In 1992 and 1993 the cabin was remodeled to accommodate use in the Forest Service rental program. There are four beds with mattresses, a table and four chairs, cabinets, drawers, a woodstove and cook stove. Also available are gas lanterns, silverware, dishes, cooking utensils, pots and pans, firewood, axe, shovel and cleaning supplies are also provided. Bring your own drinking water (or treat or boil water from local sources); sleeping bags, warm clothes; food, propane fuel for Coleman lantern and stove, and a flashlight.

Current Conditions

No vehicle access yet, the big drift before Indian Flats meadows will likely be passable after mid-May 2025

Indian Flats Cabin

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

General Information

Overnight Use:
$45 per night

$45 per night.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.822433

Longitude: -111.679471

Directions

Indian Flats Cabin is located about 40 miles northeast of Helena in the Big Belt Mountains and can be accessed via Highway 280 east from Helena. Several miles after crossing the Missouri River, you will reach the small community of York. Turn left at the York Bar and proceed 5 miles to Nelson (the junction with Road #138) where you turn right. Drive northeast on the main road adjacent to Beaver Creek, through a series of switchbacks up Burnt Gulch, to the junction of Hogback Lookout and Indian Flats roads. Take the left hand fork (continue on Road #138) about 1/2 mile to the cabin which is located on the right. Access to the Indian Flats Cabin is dependent on the road and weather conditions. The cabin is not accessible to wheeled vehicles during the winter. Usually during the summer and fall months, passenger cars can drive directly to the cabin.