The Custer Gallatin GAOA Cabins Project

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The Custer Gallatin National Forest has a robust rental cabin program which serves the needs of the public year-round. These historic Forest Service structures are maintained by Forest Service staff and partners and are available to rent on recreation.gov. Routine maintenance is performed by the Forest, but oftentimes funding is not possible to perform the major restoration and overhaul needed to keep the structures in good working order. Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, funding was secured to provide much needed maintenance on 25 historic forest structures utilized by the public as recreation rentals.

The properties selected for the GAOA Cabins Project include historic forest service structures such as ranger stations and fire lookouts, some dating back to the 1930s, as well as private homesteads deeded to the forest, such as Maxey Cabin by Hyalite Reservoir. As recreation rentals, these much-loved resources are heavily used throughout the year, and the cabin logbooks provide a written testament to their value to the public.

The work performed by the team covers all aspects of maintenance and restoration of these structures, including foundation repair and replacement, log repair and replacement, window and door repair and fabrication, lead finish removal, floor refinishing, and cedar shingle roof replacement. The focus is on preserving the historic integrity of these buildings, both in fabric and in character, while ensuring that they are resilient, functional, and comfortable recreation resources for the people who visit them.

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“The Custer Gallatin GAOA cabins project is a testament to our commitment to preserving the rich history of our forests in these remarkable structures. These cabins are not just buildings, they are a part of our history and an important part of our forest. The work to maintain and restore these buildings will ensure their continuing legacy, offering a glimpse into the past while providing a place for connection with nature for generations to come,” said Forest Supervisor, Mary Erickson.

The first full field season for the team was the 2022 field season, with work focused on three cabins: Basin Station Cabin on the Hebgen Lake District, Big Creek Cabin on the Yellowstone District, and Window Rock Cabin on the Bozeman District.

The Custer Gallatin Historic Preservation Team consists of Matthew Sanford, John Schumacher, and 1-2 seasonals. Working under the technical direction of the Region 1 Historic Preservation Team allows them to operate within the existing programmatic agreement with the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, streamlining the process of conducting standard historic preservation projects.

Learn more:

Great American Outdoors Act in the Northern Region

Great American Outdoors Act | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

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