A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Zips Place Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Flathead National Forest, Flathead County, Montana. 4,575 feet.

Managed by
Forest Service Flathead National Forest
Elevation
4,575 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 cabin electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Zip's Place Cabin is located 48 miles east of Hungry Horse, in northwestern Montana. It provides a beautiful setting on property that was originally a homestead granted in 1937. In 1945 the land was bought by the Kimmet family of Cut Bank, and in 1954 the family constructed the cabin that resides there today. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, winter sports and viewing wildlife.

The cabin can be accessed by vehicle during the summer months. The summer parking area is approximately 120 ft. from the cabin, some visitors find a cart to be helpful to transport gear to the cabin. During the winter months when snow is present or when the road conditions are impassable, guests must park at the designated winter parking area and hike, snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe approximately one mile to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in warmer months. Cross country skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing entertain visitors in winter. Elk and moose are among the native animals that may be spotted in the area.

Facilities

The rustic cabin can accommodate up to eight guests. Amenities include a vault toilet, electric stove, coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave oven, lights, electric and propane heat, pots and pans, utensils and cutlery, dishes and cleaning items. Pets are allowed, but cleaning up after them is required. Electricity is provided but water is only available from a well hand-pump June 1 to November 30. Guests should bring food, bedding and basic camp gear, including a first aid kit.

The cabin can be accessed by vehicle during the summer months. The summer parking area is approximately 120 ft. from the cabin, some visitors find a cart to be helpful to transport gear to the cabin. During the winter months when snow is present or when the road conditions are impassable, guests must park at the designated winter parking area and hike, snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe approximately one mile to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features

The cabin entrance faces a large grassy lawn area. The rear backs up to a stand of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir trees. A small stream runs behind the cabin.

The Hungry Horse Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. It also covers part of the 286,700-acre Great Bear Wilderness.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Hungry Horse, located an hour away, offers a variety of conveniences like grocery stores and gas stations.

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

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • wildlife viewing
  • winter sports

The land around Zips Place 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.