Meadow Creek Cabin

Meadow Creek Cabin was originally built in the early 1920s and used as a guard station consisting of five buildings. The main cabin contains the office, a sleeping area and the kitchen; the bunkhouse contains a main room and loft; and there is also a tack shed, woodshed and outhouse. Since 1932 Meadow Creek has served as a workstation, with field crews occasionally using the bunkhouse. The cabin is nestled among the pines on a steep-sided canyon along Meadow Creek. Plan on a 15-mile hike or horseback ride to reach this remote backcountry cabin, which is typically available from May 1 to September 15. Several trails are available in the area to explore by foot or horseback, including the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail and the Butte Creek Trail. Anglers can enjoy fly fishing for trout in Meadow Creek after July 1st each year. The rustic cabin has six beds with mattresses, a living room with wood heat, and kitchen facilities with a wood cook stove. A propane refrigerator, dishes, cookware, kitchen utensils, a Coleman lantern (no fuel provided), mop, bucket, broom, fire extinguisher and lights are provided; the propane tank is on the back porch. Modern bathroom facilities and electricity are not available, and an outhouse is located near the cabin. An indoor but untested water system is available — all water should be filtered or boiled for five minutes. A corral is provided for stock use, with any grazing to take place beyond the grassy area in front of the cabins, and visitors must bring weed-free feed for their stock. The cabin does not have matches, bedding, flashlights, first aid supplies or Coleman fuel, and visitors should bring garbage bags for packing out trash. Meadow Creek is a major tributary of the Selway River and is known for its clean, cold water and unspoiled beauty. Big game species in the area include black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer and cougar. Visitors may also spot the Coeur d'Alene Salamander, found only in areas near the Selway River and Meadow Creek, as well as beaver, mink and otter. Indian Hill Lookout is near the cabin, just outside the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness; the present tower was built in 1951 and is occupied by staff during the summer months.