Overview
West Bridger Cabin is open-year round for the enjoyment of outdoor enthusiasts. Guests have access to a variety of recreational activities in a beautiful, peaceful mountain setting. The cabin in generally accessible by car, but spring and winter road conditions may limit access. Snow conditions can preclude wheeled vehicles for up to the last mile to the cabin in the winter. The cabin features an electric cooking stove and lights, but other amenities are limited. Guests will need to bring MOST of their own gear and supplies.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails and roads heading west from the cabin ascend into the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and dip into the Deer Creek valley. The 8-mile Derby Mountain Trail starts at the cabin and takes hikers around the east side of Derby Mountain, ending at Arch Rock.
Casual anglers may catch a fish in West Bridger Creek. In-season, big game hunting in designated areas is also a popular pastime.
Facilities
This two-room cabin accommodates four people on single beds with mattresses. It has an electric stove and lights, a table with chairs, some cookware, dinnerware, utensils, and cleaning gear, along with an axe, maul, bucket and shovel. A wood-burning stove is provided for heat. PLEASE DO NOT BURN THE PROVIDED FIREWOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. USE ONLY FOR INDOOR WOODSTOVE DURING WINTER MONTHS.
There is a campfire ring and a vault toilet outside. Firewood is provided for use in the wood heating stove only. Guests must bring their own wood or collect wood from the nearby forest for campfires. Livestock may be kept at the small corral and fenced pasture, and hitching rails are also available.
The cabin does not have water. Guests must either bring their own drinking water or treat water from the nearby creek.
Garbage bags are needed to pack out trash, and guests are expected to clean the cabin and corral (if used) before leaving. Other items to pack include a flashlight, bedding, cookware, dishes, utensils, newspaper, matches, toilet paper and a first aid kit.
Natural Features
West Bridger Cabin is nestled in a valley along West Bridger Creek. It sits at an altitude of 4,847 feet in a clearing surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains, some of which are densely forested with evergreens, while others have sparse vegetation.
This area is home to moose, mule deer, elk and grizzly bear. Birders may spot bald eagles, owls, Stellar's jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
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
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area