Historic Elk Lodge Cabin

The historic Elk Lodge Cabin is offered for the first time since it’s local materials were carefully selected and hand crafted back in the early days of settling the Gallatin Canyon. The deep history & original rustic character are expressed throughout it’s hand hewn logs, paned windows and original hardware. 

In the early 1900’s, Congress enacted the “Cabin in the Woods” program, offering public land for private recreation cabins. This represents a time when Americans were being encouraged to enjoy the healthful benefits of a vacation in the National Forests. The Elk Lodge is a privately owned recreational cabin, on National Forest land, authorized by special use permits. Permit Holders pay an annual fee for their permit. 

Because of their age and architecture, many of these cabins are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, the Custer Gallatin National Forest has 294 permitted recreation residences, which is the greatest number of all Northern Region National Forests. Nationally, there are over 14,000 permitted Recreation Residences on National Forest lands.

This fishing and hunting family created the Elk Lodge as a timeless, warm environment to enjoy for generations. The cabin & horse barn are nestled in a sunny meadow of wildflowers along babbling Buffalo Horn Creek, filled with native trout. They enjoy horseback day rides to Ramshorn Lake or a short hike to the Gallatin River. Each hunting season the cabin is used as a cozy base camp. Both the Hunters and horses enjoy the peaceful, quiet spot for a good night’s rest. 

Leah Olson, Broker is experienced in working with the Gallatin Forest supervisors, while providing the necessary resources and information. Contact her for details on the Elk Lodge and other offerings within the Gallatin National Forest. 

Check out the Elk Lodge

Learn about other Gallatin National Forest Recreation Use Cabins