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Facilities

Established Camping

Windy Pass Cabin

Windy Pass Cabin is located in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, surrounded by forested terrain and mountainous landscapes. Temperatures in the area can reach highs of around 80°F in summer and drop to lows of 10°F in winter. Nearby attractions include the Yellowstone National Park and the Big Sky Resort, offering opportunities for hiking and skiing.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Custer Gallatin National Forest

Overview

Windy Pass Cabin was built in 1934. It provides a rustic mountain retreat with few amenities, so guests need to bring most of their own supplies and gear to make their experience comfortable and enjoyable. The cabin is available from June 16th through October 14th each year. It is accessible via a 2.5-mile hike or horseback ride up the Windy Pass Trail with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet.

Recreation

The Windy Pass Trail passes by the cabin and takes hikers and equestrians along the ridge and down through the Gallatin Range. Several other trails crisscross the area, including the Gallatin Crest Trail. Hunting in designated areas is also a popular activity.

Natural Features

Windy Pass Cabin is located near the Gallatin Crest at approximately 8,900 feet in the Gallatin Mountains. A small stream flows just below it. High alpine meadows dotted with evergreens surround the cabin and fill with colorful wildflowers in July. A short walk to the top of the Gallatin Crest offers views of the distant snow-dusted peaks of the Absarokas and the Yellowstone River to the east and the Madison Range to the west. Grizzly bear, gray wolf, mountain lion, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and the Canada lynx are some of the wildlife that inhabit this area. Birders may see a wide variety of bird species.

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Location

Windy Pass Cabin is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

There is no motorized access to this cabin. From Bozeman, MT: Drive west towards Four Corners, then south towards Big Sky/West Yellowstone on US Highway 191 for about 35 miles. Turn left (east) onto Portal Creek Road, FS 984. Travel for 3.5 miles to the FS Road 6959 and FS Road 984 junction. Take the right fork (southeast) and stay on FS Road 984 toward Upper Portal Creek/Windy Pass Trailhead and drive for 5.3 more miles. Stay to the left on FS Rd. 984 past the junction of FS Road 2686 (to the Hidden Lakes Trailhead). From the Windy Pass/Upper Portal Creek trailhead hike Trail 82 for 2.5 miles to the junction with Windy Pass Trail 420. Turn left unto Trail 420 and hike about 1/4 mile to the Windy Pass Cabin. Elevation gain: 1,300 ft. This cabin is closed from October 15 through June 15 each year. ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map and the Interim Summer Trails of the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area) Trails 82, 96, 420, and the area around the Windy Pass Cabin are closed to all motor vehicles year around.

Coordinates

45.2652778 N
111.1013889 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.

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Site Types

  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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4.0

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1 Review

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2019

Worth the hike

This is a great spot located right below the ride in a little valley. The hike to get there isn’t to bad but the drive to the trail head can be a bit of a challenge. Nice size cabin with an out house and a nice size fire pit out front. Lots of room out side the cabin for tents and fire wood is provided. Get up early and hike up to the ridge and good chance you’ll see some mountain goats!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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