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Crystal Lake Cabin
Crystal Lake Cabin is located in the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana approximately 20 miles south of Lewistown. It provides the opportunity to rent a large one-room cabin which accommodates up to four (4) people. Crystal Lake, for which the recreation area is named for, is nearby and provides a number of water related activities including: canoeing, kayaking, wading, floating and fishing.
Pets
- No pets are allowed in the rental cabin at any time.
- Pets are to be leashed or kenneled outside the cabin at all times.
- Users are responsible for removal of all pet food and droppings prior to departure.
The Lake
- Is stocked annually during the summer months with trout.
- Can be fished with a current Montana State fishing license
- No gas-powered motors are allowed on the lake.
Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Crystal Lake Cabin at Recreation.gov You MUST be 18 years of age to reserve a Forest Service cabin. |
|---|---|
| Rentals & Guides: | Rentals may be made for this site up to 180 days in advance. |
| Fees: | $60 per night |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Best Season: | Summer |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| Restrictions: | No Pets are allowed inside the cabin. No livestock. No camping is allowed on the cabin site. |
| Closest Towns: | Lewistown, Moore, Great Falls |
| Water: | No |
| Restroom: | No |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Judith Ranger Station 406-566-2292 |
General Information
General Notes:Maximum Consecutive Stay: 16 days
The cabin may be reserved up to 180 days in advance.
There is no water, electricity or sewer dump at the cabin site. Cell phone service is minimal at best.
No campers or other types of camping units are allowed at the cabin site.
Renters are responsible for bringing their own bedding, food, water, cooler, toilet paper and other personal necessities.
The site is a Pack In/Pack Out. Bring your own garbage bags and haul everything out with you that brought: including any trash generated. Do no burn non-burnable items in either the wood stove or the outdoor fire ring: this includes plastics, Styrofoam and cans of any sort.
Visitors must clean the cabin and police the site before departure. Occupants will be billed for damage or extra clean-up costs.
Firewood is provided for the wood stove only. Please restock the wood box in the cabin prior to departure. For the outdoor fire ring, please gather downed branches or twigs.
Remember: No pets allowed in the rental cabin. No livestock.
Access to the cabin from Dec 2 - Jun 1 is by snowmobile, cross country ski, snowshoe, foot and/or mountain bike via a 6-mile route from the parking area to the cabin.
Directions:
From Lewistown, drive west on montana highway 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on "Crystal Lake" county road. Continue south on this road following the well signed directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue onwards to Crystal Lake. The last six miles is paved and mostly one lane. On December 1, the paved section of the road is gated for the remainder of the cabin rental season and access beyond the gate is by nowmobile or non-motorized means. From Billings, drive to harlowton then turn north onto US Highway 191 traveling to Eddy's corner (Junction of the US191 and Montana 200/US 87).turn east towards lewistown onto Montana 200/US 87and travel to Moore, MT. Continue through town (south)accessing a graveled county road and follow the well signed route (south then east) to Crystal Lake until you reach a "T" junction as described above. take a right (south) at the "T" and continue as directed above. From Great Falls, drive east on Montana 200/US 87 for approximately 90 miles to Moore. Turn at the second right into the town of Moore. Continue through town accessing a graveled county road and followthe well signed route to the lake until you reach the "T" junction as described above. Take a right at the "T" and continue as directed above.
Parking:
Parking at the cabin is limited to two vehicles
Activities
Cabin Rentals
Lake and Pond Fishing
Must have a current Montana Fishing License
Ice Fishing
Day Hiking
Hiking trails nearby:
- Ice Caves Trail, which leads to the ridge top of the Big Snowy Mountains and also intersects with Crystal Cascades Trail Bypass.
- The Lake Loop Trail is located at the north end of the Crystal Lake Campground (which adjoins the Cabin).
- Grand View Trail Junction is about 1/4 mile up the west leg of the Lake Loop Trail and it, too, traverses to the ridge of the mountain range.
- There are a couple of short, dead end trails off Grand View that one may find of interest.
The Ice Caves Trail and Grand View may still be impacted by winter snow as late as the first part of July.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Swimming
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Highlights
- Hunters With Disabilities
These maps show access routes for hunters with disabilities that are licensed as required by the State of Montana. Access requirements and specifics are defined in the first page of this brochure.
Location
