A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

High Rye Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Silver Bow County, Montana. 5,835 feet. 13.9 miles from Walkerville.

Managed by
Forest Service Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Elevation
5,835 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

High Rye Cabin is a quaint place to stay, ideally situated for exploring the northern Fleecer Mountains. An abundance of recreational activities are available in this scenic area.

The cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps around 1919 and is located in the historic mining district of German Gulch. It was used as an administrative site until the 1940s, when it was opened to the public.

The cabin can be accessed by vehicle; however, during the fall, alternative resources may be required to reach the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Fishing and big game hunting are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Nearby mountain creeks and streams provide opportunities for bait and fly fishing. Proper licensing is required to fish or hunt in Montana.

There is a variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails that are easily accessed from the cabin into the surrounding forest. Off-road vehicles and motorcycles are also allowed in the area, but must be properly permitted and licensed to be on trails and roads.

Facilities

The 2-room cabin is equipped with bunk beds that can sleep up to 4 people. A table with chairs and a wood stove are also provided. Cooking can be done on the flat stovetop. Basic cooking and eating utensils are provided, as well as minimal cleaning equipment.

Firewood is sometimes available, but it is not guaranteed. An axe is provided. An outhouse with a vault toilet is located outside the cabin. A corral is available for horses. Weed-free certified hay is required.

Electricity and potable water are not available at the cabin. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Water can also be taken from the nearby creek, but it must be treated prior to using for drinking or cooking.

Guests should bring bedding, pillows, lanterns or flashlights, matches, food, soap, towels and other necessities. Guests are required to take out all garbage and must bring their own garbage bags. The cabin must also be cleaned prior to leaving.

Please remember that High Rye Cabin is considered a recreational area and shooting is not permitted around the cabin.

Check out time is 11am, check in time is 2pm.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated in an evergreen forest in the northern Fleecer Mountains. This area features wildlife-rich highlands and wetlands. Alpine creeks and streams offer ideal habitat for a variety of fish.

The region is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, coyotes, wolves, and a variety of birds and small mammals ( learn more about bear safety ). The Fleecers provide a year-round range for elk and deer, and large populations winter on the nearby Fleecer Mountain or on sagebrush slopes in the southeast portion of the landscape.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • horseback riding
  • hunting
  • wildlife viewing

The land around High Rye 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 February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.