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Strawberry Lookout Cabin
Explore a magnificent recreation and wildlife resource at the doorstep of Montana's Capital City. From prairie to alpine, mayflies to mountain goats, and scenic driving to expert climbing routes -- the Elkhorns you will discover a diverse landscape!
Built in 1941, Strawberry Cabin lies at the top of Strawberry Butte (6,100 feet) in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains. The combination of lookout and log cabin are typical of this period. The cabin is an excellent example of a C-46 one room cabin plan, which was designed by William Fox. This cabin style is one of the standard building plans used for housing personnel working at intermediate stations and at lookouts. The C-46 design offers distinctive characteristics of ventral saddle notches and log ends finished in "chopper cut" style, which symbolizes rustic Forest Service log architecture of the second half of the 1930 and early 1940s.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Non-motorized access only for last mile - 10/15 to 5/15 |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Cabin is available to rent throughout the year |
| Reservations: | Reserve online at Recreation.gov |
| Fees: | $50 per night for a single unit |
| Restrictions: | Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area. The cabin is a no-smoking facility. |
| Closest Towns: | Helena, MT |
| Water: | Water is not available at this site. Please bring your own water. |
| Restroom: | Vault Toilets |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Helena Ranger District 406-449-5201 |
General Information
Directions:Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
General Notes:
Amenities
- Bunkbed(s) With Mattresses
- Coleman Lantern (Fuel not provided)
- Coleman Stove (Fuel not provided)
- Fire Extinguisher
- Firewood
- Wood Stove
Directions:
Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.
Directions:
Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.
Activities
Cabin Rentals
Day Hiking
Viewing Wildlife
Due to the rich wildlife habitats throughout the mountain range, the Elkhorns were designated a Wildlife Management Unit in 1986, the first of its kind in the nation. Collaborative groups composed of federal, state, and private land holders work toward habitat restoration and interpretation of the area's history.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
General Info:
DirectionsLocated about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
General Notes
Amenities
- Bunkbed(s) With Mattresses
- Coleman Lantern (Fuel not provided)
- Coleman Stove (Fuel not provided)
- Fire Extinguisher
- Firewood
- Wood Stove
Directions
Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.
Directions
Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.
Permits & Regulations
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
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
