This is a wonderful family get away with LOTS of activities to enjoy together. We’ve made it as fun and appealing as possible for our family members ranging from 1 to 80, so your family can enjoy the same experiences. Or, if you're looking for solitude with most of the comforts of home, you’ve come to the right place!
Overview: Canyon Creek Cabins are on a 7-acre US Forest Service in-holding northwest of Helena Montana at an elevation of 5050 feet. There is a 1000 sf rustic cabin built in 1930 and a 470 sf bunkhouse—formerly a Catholic church—circa 1946. Both cabins are just a few yards from Prickly Pear Creek, a crystal-clear rushing mountain stream with small trout, and nestled in a beautiful, forested area with an open meadow view to the east, Continental Divide to the west and steep forested USFS mountains to the east and west. For the past 90 years, the property has been described as tranquil and peaceful. The property is rich with unique microenvironments to discover and relish. Our goal is to create a comfortable, appealing, relaxing environment while maintaining the original ambiance of the cabins and property.
Main Cabin: Has an enclosed porch fully surrounded by windows, with three comfy pillow-laden futons, side tables with western lamps, a gas fireplace, coat hooks, extra bedding, highchair, and beautiful views of the meadow, riparian area, and surrounding foothills. . . . a great spot to sip a cup of coffee and take in the beautiful surroundings!
The main room has a large antique dining table that seats 8+, corner couch with ottoman, cushy double recliner, desk, elk and moose head mounts, coat hooks, antique hutch, large modern woodstove, classic black and whit TV, videos, games, high ceiling and tremendous views.
The master bedroom includes a queen bed with plenty of comforters and pillows, large dresser, lamps, gas fireplace, views of the continental divide and surrounding areas, and large loft with a cushy foam pad and sleeping bags,
The main cabin’s interior walls are stacked timbers so there is little acoustical insulation—what you hear in one room may be heard in surrounding rooms.
The Main Cabin also includes the kitchen and full bathroom.
Kitchen is fully equipped with electric stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, blender, toaster oven, well-stocked pantry and classic Ranch Sink, and lots of pots, pans, utensils, silverware, knives, plates, bowls, cups, mixing bowls. We drink the delicious water straight from the tap. Open the window and/or back door to the deck and listen to the creek while preparing meals—the scenery is great. The kitchen exterior door leads to the back deck that has a second refrigerator, large BBQ, smoker; and two large picnic tables nearby.
Bathrooms: The main cabin has a full bathroom with shower, bathtub (an on-demand water heater provides plenty of hot water), toilet, sink, mirror, soap, shampoo, ironing board, and plenty of towels and washcloths,. There is a classic back-country outhouse about 100’ from the cabins. The Bunkhouse has a changing room with an RV toilet using plastic bag liners.
Bunkhouse: was formerly Queen of the Rosary Catholic Church, so it has a special feel to it, especially with the western flavor we added. Featuring a bunkbed and two queen beds, a couch, super comfy recliner, desk, side tables with lamps, magazines, books, dresser, and changing room. It’s a special experience to open the south slider window and listen to the creek just 30’ away. As with all of the rooms, the views are great and the ambiance so special!
The cabins are professionally cleaned prior to each guest stay.
Tipi is an authentic 16’ Crow style teepee with room to sleep 6 and a fire-ring inside. We have 2 cots, an air mattress and some sleeping bags to use in it. Have a genuine western experience sleeping in the tipi! It’s fun to watch a YouTube on tipi etiquette to better understand the significance of teepees to the Native Americans.
Lots of extra bedding, blankets, comforters (and towels): in the bedroom, bunkhouse, and porch. The bathroom hutch has ~20 towels.
Outdoor activities on the property: Enjoy the multiple hammocks, benches, and swings spread out along the creek that flows year-round, tipi, horseshoes, tether ball, corn hole ball, ladder ball, frisbee, playset with sandbox, slide, deck, and swings, fishing for small trout, hummingbirds, nature, outdoor furniture, Island Walk where the creek braids, views, fun Scavenger Hunt competition, gathering herbs, abundant hiking and peacefulness. The rushing creek runs the full length of the property and offers lots of options, including gold panning, catch and release fishing for small brook trout, innertubes, water guns, and cold immersion for the brave of heart.
A bicycle is available for you to use. If you have mountain bikes along, you can definitely get scenic miles in here!
This is a wonderful opportunity to rest, relax, rejuvenate, and seek wellness if a meditative experience with nature is what you're looking for.
Fishing: Fishing equipment is available for you to use: fly rods, spin casting rod, lures and flies. A Montana fishing license is required. The Brook Trout in the creek by the cabins are 4”-8” so please catch and release. Craig, MT, about 90 minutes from the cabins, offers some of the best fishing in Montana; Hauser Lake in Helena is also renowned for great angling; these are just two of many.
Campfire ring: surrounded by benches and chairs, marshmallow roasting sticks, and plenty of wood to burn. Telling stories around the fire under a starlight Montana sky is guaranteed to provide special memories!
Indoor activities: Super-sized Tic Tac Toe, ring throw, Wildlife Bingo, Catan, Monopoly, Headbanz, Scrabble, Rummirud, Deluxe Pit, Family 7 Mancala, playing cards, books, magazines, old TV and VCR with lots of classic videos. Relaxing with a book or magazine and a cup of herb tea collected from the property.
Nearby activities: The surrounding Lewis and Clark National Forest consists of 2.8 million acres, so plenty of space to explore! Marysville, a historic mining town with Great Divide Ski area, is a 40 minute drive. Lost Horse Creek Road is a beautiful drive. Take a scenic drive to Craig, MT for some of the best trout fishing around! The 45 minute drive to Montana’s capital city Helena offers a rich offering of activities.
What to bring: The nearest stores are almost an hour drive (although a small country store is about 30 minutes) so it’s wise to arrive prepared. Bring your toiletries, food (two refrigerators provide plenty of cold storage space), layers of clothing and adventure spirit!
Connectivity: The main cabin has a Fiberoptic connection. Verizon cell service is reasonable on much of the property; not sure with other providers.
Trash bins are provided outside of the bunkhouse so you shouldn’t have to transport trash you generate anywhere.
Eco-oriented: We utilize an on-demand hot water heater and, as practical, LED lightbulbs to minimize electrical usage. As much as practical, furniture, lumber and hardware are re-purposed. We encourage you to harvest and utilize native herbs from the property for tea and spices. The property is managed to make it a haven for birds and ungulates (and, of course, you!).
Our favorites: There are SO many fun things to do, it’s really hard to say some are more special than others. Time in the hammocks with no other sound than the rushing creek and birds is super! Campfires under the stars . . . Make sure that you spend time on the loft of the playset with an elevated view of the creek bed—you won’t forget it! The tipi provides a special experience.
We love our time there and believe you will as well. It’s a very special place for family time with nature, relaxation and tranquility!
