Indian Flats Cabin - Helena

Four person capacity; cost $30. The cabin provides 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.

The present Indian Flats Guard Station 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 is plenty of opportunity for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife and wildflower observation near Indian Flats. Nearby Trout Creek Canyon accesses the Hanging Valley and vista. The view is exhilarating for those who don't mind the height. A hike through Refrigerator Canyon also offers an exciting adventure; living up to its name, Refrigerator Canyon on some days may be 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding countryside. The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness and the Missouri River are also within close proximity to the cabin.

The Indian Flats Cabin is accessible by cross-country skiing or snowmobile in winter (7 miles). Access may be restricted during spring breakup.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena

Mailing Address
Not Available

Street Address
Not Available

Phone: 406-449-5490
Fax: 406-449-5740

Indian Flats Cabin is located 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 come to the small community of York. Turn left at the York Bar and proceed 5 miles to the even-smaller community of Nelson, where you should turn right. Stay on the main road up Beaver Creek, through a series of switchbacks up Burnt Gulch, past Pikes Gulch Campground to the junction of Hogback Lookout and Indian Flats roads. Take the left hand fork for about 1/2 mile and the cabin will be on the right, down in a hollow nestled amongst trees. Access to the Indian Flats Cabin is dependent on the time of year and present weather conditions. Usually during the summer and fall months, passenger cars can drive directly to the cabin.

Season
All Year

Hours
Not Available

Payments
Not Available

Reservations
Not Available

Not Available

Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Wildlife Viewing