Yet another best-kept secret of
Northwest Montana, Forest Service Cabins which are for
rent on an overnight basis. Some of the cabins have
electricity, all have either wood or electric stoves for
cooking and heating, none have indoor plumbing.
Each cabin has its own personality and particular
amenities. Some are located right on the road, others
require that visitors hike, ski, or snowmobile in to
their location.
 We
stayed with friends at
Ben Rover Cabin,
located about 35 miles north of Columbia Falls on the
North Fork Road. Available for rent year-round for about
$50 a night, this wonderful old cabin sits right on the
north fork of the Flathead River, and offers spectacular
views of peaks just inside the western-most entrance to
Glacier National Park.
Ben Rover Cabin is just up the road from the
Polebridge Mercantile,
a old structure boasting some of the best baked goods in
Northwest Montana. There is nothing quite like waking up
to mountain air and the sound of the river rushing past,
only to be followed by a short walk to the Polebridge
Mercantile for cherry turnovers and hot coffee.
 The
cabin sleeps up to eight people, and has basic kitchen
pots, pans and utensils so all that is really needed are
coolers full of good eats and any specialty tools. There
is also a propane stove, so cooking can be done right in
the kitchen, with the exception of course of the
marshmallows which absolutely must be crisped over the
night's campfire in the fire pit located just outside.
Our cabin had a guest book, in which there were many
stories about Half Head, the cabin ghost, which
explained the trap door with roller skate and bone in
it. According to the guest book, Half Head travels to
other cabins in addition to Ben Rover, and while we
weren't visited by the spirit, it did make for some good
practical jokes during the course of the evening.
These cabins are a perfect compromise between tenting it
and staying in a hotel. Rustic yet comfortable, we
highly recommend them! They are extremely popular,
so
book early.
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