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Facilities
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Nature

Established Camping

Rillway Cabin

Rillway Cabin is located in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, surrounded by forested terrain. The area experiences temperature highs around 85°F in summer and lows near 15°F in winter. Nearby attractions include Canyon Ferry Lake and the Gates of the Mountains, offering opportunities for water activities and scenic exploration.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Overview

Rillway Cabin is located 14 miles east of Townsend, Montana along scenic Deep Creek in Helena National Forest. Its history can be traced to Dr. A.C. Kelly, a physician who arrived in Townsend in 1915 and served as mayor from 1920-1924. In 1918, Dr. Kelly obtained a term permit from the Forest Service for the cabin site. The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922, then sold to Nellie Hale Averill and her son-in-law, Floyd L. Hollaway. By 1924, the cabin was known as "Rillway," a combination of the Averill and Hollaway family names. Today the cabin is a comfortable, rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It offers the easiest access of any cabins on the Helena National Forest, being accessible by vehicle year-round. Several amenities are offered, but guests will need to bring some of their own supplies.

Recreation

The cabin offers nearby access to a number of trails and roads. A cross-country ski trail is just up the highway and snowmobiling areas are close by as well. Deep Creek flows adjacent to the cabin, providing anglers with a scenic backdrop for fishing. The creek provides habitat for a variety of trout.

Natural Features

The cabin is tucked back near a moss-covered canyon wall with Deep Creek splashing through the backyard. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds, including the more common elk, mule and white- tailed deer, squirrel, black bear, moose and a variety of birds. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.

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Location

Rillway Cabin is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

The cabin is accessible year-round by vehicle. From the 4-way stop light in Townsend, turn east on Hwy 12. Follow the road for 14 miles and watch for the Rillway Cabin sign along the right side of the highway at the 14-mile marker. There is also a sign that welcomes you to the National Forest. Please note, only right turns are allowed when you leave the cabin area. Approximately 1 mile to the east is a pull out; use this to turn around if you must drive west. Please respect the private lands that are near the cabin site.

Address

415 S. FRONT STREET
Townsend, MT 59644

Coordinates

46.3335194 N
111.2406778 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

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  • WiFi
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Site Types

  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable

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4.0

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1 Review

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Rustic Cabin

Cozy forest service cabin, wood stove for heat. Close to highway, so there's road noise but creek and cliffs make it relaxing to sit outside. (Families with small children beware of Proximity to highway).

Month of VisitOctober

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Rillway Cabin have wifi?

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

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Rillway 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 Rillway Cabin. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Rillway Cabin, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

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

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