Wurtz Cabin

Wurtz Cabin is located just south of the Canadian border, on the North Fork Road near the North Fork of the Flathead River. It is listed on the National Historic Register, offering guests a glimpse into the past, and provides access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, boating, fishing and viewing wildlife. The cabin can accommodate up to 12 people and is fully accessible. It can be accessed by vehicle, however the North Fork Road is gravel and only intermittently plowed in the winter; four-wheel drive and chains are recommended for passage during winter months. The majority of the road from Columbia Falls to Wurtz Cabin is gravel, so be prepared for dust during your drive and at the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. The two-story, rustic log cabin has a covered front porch and flat, grassy lawn. Amenities include a propane cook stove, propane lights, a propane heater, a wood stove and an outdoor vault toilet. Two double beds and eight single beds are provided, and the kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs as well as basic cooking and eating utensils. No water or electricity is available, so guests will need to bring water, food, bedding, flashlights, garbage bags and any other necessities. In addition to wildlife viewing, visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the nearby river, and exploring the surrounding terrain on various hikes through the area. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are available in the winter. Glacier National Park is nearby, offering scenic driving and opportunities for hiking, and can be accessed at Polebridge, south of the cabin. The cabin was originally built by Frank and Ella Wurtz, who first settled the land in 1913 and expanded their home as their family grew in number. The family lived on-site through the 1960s, and volunteers helped the Forest Service restore the building to its current structure. The rear of the cabin is lined with a stand of dense conifers, while the front faces a grassy lawn that overlooks a line of pine trees, with the snow-capped Livingston Range in Glacier National Park visible in the distance. Polebridge Mercantile is located south of Wurtz and has limited supplies.