Vigilante Cabin

The Vigilante Cabin, also known as the Vigilante Middle House, offers a comfortable place to stay deep in the mountains of southwestern Montana along the Ruby River, between the Snowcrest and Gravelly Ranges. The house boasts two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room, and has electricity and seasonal water; a bathroom, with a toilet and shower, is usually available from May to September. The house was constructed in 1925 and served as the Ruby District headquarters. In the 1930s a Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established at the site and the adjacent houses and garage were constructed, and the site also then served as a range experiment station. The white clapboard middle house is the one available for rent, while the two other houses on the property are still used by Forest Service personnel and volunteers throughout the year; though usually quiet, this can be a busy site when work crews are using those adjacent facilities. The cabin is accessible throughout most of the year by vehicle, however, a portion of the road may be difficult to navigate when wet or snow-covered and the last mile may not be plowed in winter. Guests can enjoy fishing the Ruby River for mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Gold panning is also possible in a section of the river near the cabin. Big game hunting is possible in designated areas, and appropriate licenses are required. A variety of hiking trails and points of exploration exist around the cabin, and off-road vehicle trails are also available in the area. During winter months, guests enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing on the many nearby trails; snowmobile use is not allowed on the Forest prior to December 2 of each year. The large, two-bedroom cabin has a bunkbed and single bed with mattresses in each bedroom to sleep up to six people. It has electric lights and a water heater, though water is limited to May through September. The kitchen is equipped with an electric oven and stovetop, refrigerator, table and chairs, cookware and utensils, and the living room is fully furnished. A wood stove heats the cabin, and firewood is provided for inside use only; the district does its best to keep the firewood stocked, however there is no guarantee it will be available for your stay, so please consider bringing your own wood. There is a functioning bathroom during the summer months, with running water, a sink, shower and a flush toilet; the bathroom is sealed off when the water system at the cabin is winterized. An outhouse with vault toilet is available east of the house. A picnic table and a fire ring are provided, but guests must supply their own wood for campfires. Guests need to bring their own water, including enough for cleaning, from October to May. Other items to bring include bedding, pillows, towels, soap, matches, flashlight and garbage bags. Guests are asked to replenish the supply of split wood and kindling inside the cabin, clean the cabin prior to leaving and pack out all food and garbage. If it came with you, it should leave with you. Located along the Ruby River, the facility stands at an elevation of about 6,100 feet between the Snowcrest and Gravelly mountain ranges. It sits in a mostly open and grassy area with just a few cottonwood trees around it, offering views of the nearby peaks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including elk, mule deer, black and grizzly bears, mountain grouse and other species.