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Facilities

Established Camping

Crystal Lake Cabin

Crystal Lake Cabin is located near Stanford, MT, in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The area features forested terrain with a mix of trees and open spaces. Temperatures range from lows around 20°F in winter to highs near 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include Crystal Lake and the Ice Caves, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration.

Description

National Forest

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Overview

Crystal Lake Cabin provides sweeping views of Crystal Lake in the heart of the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana. Located about 20 miles south of Lewistown, the cabin adjoins Crystal Lake Campground, providing conveniences like a picnic area and boat ramp for non-motorized boats. Recreation opportunities abound, including floating, fishing, canoeing and hiking. Access from December 1 through June 15 is by snowshoe, snowmobile, cross country skiing or hiking for 6 miles.

Recreation

The Ice Caves Trail leads hikers to the ridgetop of the Big Snowy Mountains, where it intersects with the Crystal Cascades Trail Bypass. The Lake Loop Trail trailhead, located at the north end of the Crystal Lake Campground, takes hikers to Grand View Trail Junction and additional ridgetop views. Both the Ice Caves Trail and Grand View Trail may be impacted by winter snow as late as the first part of July. The lake freezes over and ice fishing is possible if the ice is thin enough for fish to survive. In summer months, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Kayaking and canoeing is popular.

Natural Features

The cabin sits near the shores of Crystal Lake. The beautiful lake spans 45 acres at an elevation of 5,700 feet. With a maximum depth of 15 feet, the lake seeps fresh water through a porous limestone bottom. The lake generally freezes in the winter.The Big Snowy Mountains, lush with mixed conifers, rise up from the lake, providing spectacular views. The highest peaks in the mountain range reach 8,600 feet.

Nearby Attractions

Crystal Lake, Ice Caves

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Location

Crystal Lake Cabin is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the \"T\" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal Lake. The last 6 miles is paved and mostly a single lane. On December 1, the paved section is gated, and access beyond the gate is by snowmobile, skis, snowshoes or hiking only.

Address

109 CENTRAL AVE. P.O. BOX 484
Stanford, MT 59479

Coordinates

46.7919444 N
109.5116667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Reviews

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4.0

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1 Review

Reviewed May. 5, 2015

Crystal Lake is mostly gone

Allegedly, Crystal Lake drained into a limestone fissure in the earth. Bummer. But it's still an insanely beautiful area with hikes up to a year-round ice cave! The area is a mountain oasis in North Central Montana.

  • Review photo of Crystal Lake Cabin by Lindsay B., May 5, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Crystal Lake Cabin have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Crystal Lake Cabin does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Crystal Lake Cabin?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Crystal Lake Cabin. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Crystal Lake Cabin, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Crystal Lake Cabin?

    There are 1 campsites at Crystal Lake Cabin and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts