Campground Details - CRYSTAL LAKE CABIN, MT - ReserveAmerica

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.

Natural Features:

The cabin sits among a stand of spruce 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.

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.

Facilities:

The one-room cabin accommodates up to six guests. Beds with mattresses, a cooking stove and a wood stove for heat is included. Firewood is provided for the wood stove, and guests are asked to restock the wood box in the cabin prior to departure. A vault toilet is located outside and the cabin is furnished with cooking pots and eating utensils. Propane lights are provided but no electricity is available.

Guests should plan to bring plenty of water, bedding, food, a cooler, toilet paper, garbage bags and other personal necessities. (Click here for more cabin details.)

Nearby Attractions:

The nearest grocery stores are in Lewistown and Moore.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Bed(s) Birding Broom & Dust Pan Cooking Pots Cooking Utensils Firewood	Hiking Propane Lights Ranger Station Vault Toilets Wood Stove
Less Than 1 Mile
Boat Ramp Skiing Snowshoeing	Trailheads Wildlife Viewing

Know Before You Go

The cabin key may be picked up during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at any of the Lewis and Clark Forest Service offices or at the Bureau of Land Management Office in Lewistown
The key can be picked up no more than three days in advance and must be returned within five days of departure date to the office it was picked up at
The gate at the Forest Boundary is locked annually from December 1 through June 15, and access during the locked period is by snowshoe, snowmobile, cross country ski or a hike
There is no water, electricity or dump station at the cabin
Cell phone service is minimal
No campers or other types of camping units are allowed at the cabin site; parking is limited to one vehicle; excess vehicles may be parked at either the Ice Caves Trailhead or Grand View Picnic Area
The site is a Pack In/Pack Out facility; guests must bring garbage bags and remove all trash
Visitors must clean the cabin and police the site before departure
Pets are not allowed in the cabin at any time, but can be kept outside in a kennel or on a six-foot or less leash. Users are responsible for removing all pet food and droppings from rental site prior to departure.
For more information please call the Judith Ranger District in Stanford, Montana at (406) 566-2292

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
46.79194, -109.51167
46°47'31"N, 109°30'42"W

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.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

CRYSTAL LAKE CABIN
109 CENTRAL AVE. P.O. BOX 484
STANFORD MT 59479

Phone Number:

Information: (406)566-2292

Find Campsites

CRYSTAL LAKE CABIN, MT