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Recreation Region: West Fork Ranger District

Horse Heaven Cabin

The Horse Heaven cabin was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for use as a fireman's cabin. It is situated at an elevation of 7,100 feet on a road that divides the 1.2 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3 million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas.

While the cabin is on the edge of an open meadow, most of the area is covered by coniferous forests. Wildland fires have burned around the cabin in recent and in years past. The vast wilderness provides a secluded habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Populations of mountain lions and grey wolves live in the area, as well as coyote, fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer and black bears.

Current Conditions
Access to this rental is closed by snow.

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

General Information

Mid July - September

Check in time is 2:00 pm MST and check out time is 12:00 MST

Overnight Use:
$25 per night

Call the West Fork Ranger Station to get the door combination code one week prior to your stay.

Contact Name: West Fork Ranger District

Contact Phone: 406-821-3269

West Fork Ranger District administrative office in the fall.

Address: 6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829
Phone: 406-821-3269
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 45.6351

Longitude: -114.9102778

Elevation

7100'

Directions

From Elk City, Idaho, travel southeast on Highway 14 and Forest Road 222. Continue east on Forest Road 468 for about 36 miles, turn south at the Trail 28 sign and travel 1/4 mile to cabin.

From Darby, head south for 4 miles on Highway 93. Turn onto the West Fork Road/Highway 473 and continue past the 14-mile marker and turn west onto the Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road #468. Continue heading west, south-west for 35 miles on paved and one-lane gravel road before turning south at the junction of road 468 and 6223, near the Magruder Crossing Campground, cross the Selway river and continue going 22 miles on the gravel, one-lane, steep road and turn south at the sign "Trail #28 Sabe Cr 10" and follow rough and rocky road to the cabin.

 

Travel Considerations

High clearance vehicles are required to access this cabin.  

The cabin is located near an area recently burned by wildfire. Take a saw and prepare to cut trees from the road if needed.

Parking

Limited parking area of two vehicles

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Vault toilet is open and available

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Horse/Pack Animal Information

Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.

Other Amenities

The one-room, 16-by-18 cabin is equipped with two built-in bunk beds that can accommodate up to four people. It has a table and chairs, wooden bench, a propane cook stove, propane lantern and a wood stove for heat.

Basic cooking and eating utensils are provided, as well as cooking pots, pans and a coffee pot. Firewood for the stove is also available outside the cabin. A splitting maul is located inside the cabin. A small stream may provide water during the summer, but it should be boiled or treated before it is used for drinking or cooking purposes. A vault toilet is provided in an outhouse near the cabin.

Sleeping pads are provided for the bunks. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags, as well as propane fuel for cooking and lighting. Guests will also need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Food, matches, flashlights and garbage bags are not provided. Guests must clean, dry and store dishes and carry out all trash and clean the cabin prior to departure.

Last updated June 10, 2025