A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Bureau of Land Management cabin or lookout

Axolotl Cabin

Bureau of Land Management cabin or lookout in Axolotl Lakes, Madison County, Montana. About 7,000 feet. 5 miles from Virginia City.

Managed by
Bureau of Land Management Axolotl Lakes
Elevation
About 7,000 ft As the Bureau of Land Management states
Sites
1 1 cabin electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

The Dillon Field Office is unable to make reservations for you. Please call Recreation.gov (877-444-6777) to book a reservation or book online.

Axolotl Cabin is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Ennis, Montana, in the foothills of the Gravelly Range. The cabin provides access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities and breathtaking views as it peers over the Madison Valley. The cabin is at an elevation of about 7,000 feet and is adjacent to Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area.

Recreation

Recreation opportunities abound in the surrounding area including numerous small lakes for angling, paddling, and relaxation, and excellent areas for hiking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The world famous Madison River winds through the valley below, with abundant scenery all around. The surrounding lands are primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management and provide a variety of recreational opportunities, including within the Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Certain restrictions are in place for WSA lands; please ensure your understanding of these rules and adhere to restrictions.

Facilities

The cabin sleeps a maximum of seven people. There is a full bed, a full-size fold out futon and two single bunkbeds. No bedding is provided. The cabin amenities run off of both solar and propane. The lights and refrigerator operate off solar power and can be subject to outages. The stove/oven operates off propane; please read directions of how to operate!! There is also a BBQ, wood stove, fireplace, and outdoor fire pit. Non-potable water available; please treat.

One small corral near the cabin can accommodate two horses. You are required to bring your own certified weed seed-free feed; no grazing is allowed.

Natural Features

Tiger salamanders in their larval stage (axolotls) exist in a few of the nearby lakes; please observe only, DO NOT HANDLE. Grayling can be found in some lakes. THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY. Do NOT leave food (human, pet, livestock), toiletries, or ANY ATTRACTANTS (BBQ tools, empty beverage cans, smores sticks, etc.) out overnight. PROPERLY STORE all attractants in the cabin or in a HARD-SIDED LOCKED vehicle when not in use.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors to the area may like to explore nearby Virginia City and Nevada City historic districts, as well as access the Gravelly Road scenic drive.

The description, directions and fees are the Bureau of Land Management’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fish hatchery
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • horseback riding
  • swimming site
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Axolotl Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated July 28, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.