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State Park
Challenge Cabin
Essex, MT
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State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally β check the state park website before traveling.
1 Cabin
Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
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- Operator website
Listed website for the campground operator.
Verify by phone or mail
- Operator:406-387-3800
- Address:P.O. Box 190340; 10 Hungry Horse Drive Β· Essex, MT Β· 59919
Live availability
via Recreation.govSee every open campground nearbySame dates & filters, across the whole area
Availability is a recent snapshot, not a live hold β you always complete the booking on recreation.gov.
About
Overview
Challenge Cabin is available during the winter and is located about 60 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, in northwestern Montana. It provides a primitive escape for visitors who enjoy winter recreation. The cozy shelter awards visitors with beautiful mountain views, peaceful sounds of nature and virgin, white snow for great photography and snow play.
Access to the cabin involves an 8-mile trek by hiking, skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Cross country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Reaching the cabin on the 8-mile access trail is part of the snow sport fun. Visitors might also catch a glimpse of any number of wildlife that lives in the area.
Facilities
The cabin can sleep up to five guests. It is equipped with a propane cook stove, lights, and a wood stove. Furnishings include a table and chairs, a bunk bed and a small loft where additional people can roll out sleeping bags. Basic cooking pots and utensils are supplied, but guests are encouraged to bring their own. Pets are allowed, but cleaning up after them is required.
A vault toilet is provided outside the cabin. Firewood is included for heating in the wood stove.
Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as food, bedding, flashlights, garbage bags and basic camp gear. [Click here for more cabin details](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/flathead/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=66318&actid=101).
Natural Features
The cabin sits in a meadow surrounded by a stand of Douglas fir and pine trees, near Challenge Creek. The Hungry Horse Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest grocery stores are in East Glacier and Hungry Horse. Both towns are about an hour-and-a-half drive, in addition to the trek from the cabin.
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Amenities
Flush Toilets
Pet Policy
Pets allowed on leash
Campground Rules
- No campfires allowed
Individual Sites (1)
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Challenge Cabin

Snake Loop Trail No. 660
Montana
5.6 mi2,014 ftgain
TrailDifficult

Devil Creek to Elk Lake
Montana
12.4 mi4,242 ftgain
TrailExpert

Three Bears Lake Trail
Montana
2.4 mi272 ftgain
TrailEasy

The Tranquil Basin Overlook
Montana
4.9 mi2,431 ftgain
TrailDifficult

Dickey Lake
Montana
5.1 mi1,732 ftgain
TrailDifficult

Stanton Lake
Montana
4.3 mi1,404 ftgain
TrailModerate
Hunt context
Hunting units around this campground
During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations β see the Montana hunting page
Nearby Campgrounds
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