No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT) continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 109 tracked site-nights (Dec 1, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 108 open for online reservation · 1 reserved.
Where the open windows are
Load status
Dec 1, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 63 fall on weekdays and 45 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Dec 2026 – Mar 2027January holds the most room. 31 of 31 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 site| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Christmas: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 1 site is available for the complete two-night stay.
Availability
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 001 | 108 |
This site currently has 108 site-nights available.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts Dec 1. That is about 74 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before Dec 1 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-nights shown on this page describe Dec 1 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
Multi-night stays. 2 2-night, 2 3-night, 2 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Dec 1 at site 001.
All 1 site with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Not recorded | Yes | 108 | 90 nights | Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3, Dec 4, Dec 5, Dec 6, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 9, Dec 10, Dec 11, Dec 12 +96 more |
About Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)
Overview
The Bear Creek Bunkhouse allows visitors to experience southwestern Montana's vast wilderness areas, including wide open hills and the Lee Metcalf Widerness in the Madison mountain range . Situated on the Trail Fork of Bear Creek, the cabin offers a scenic location to enjoy nature. The cabin was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as crew quarters and a garage. A larger cabin is located about 100 feet to the east and is also on the rental progarm.
The bunkhouse is used as an administrative site in the summer, but is open to the public between December and April. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing, though the state lands to the north of the cabin are closed to entry, being a Wildlife Management Area.
The site can be accessed by vehicle, however, a portion of the road may be muddy or snow-covered, as it is not always plowed. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities, including water for drinking and cleaning.
Recreation
Bear Creek is a very popular trailhead during all seasons but especially during hunting season. There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. This trailhead provides access to climb Sphinx Mountain, a must-do for many visitors. The trails are popular among visitors for cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
The nearby wilderness area does not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles. Camping and fishing in the backcountry is allowed, with the proper permits. The Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area immediately to the north of the cabin is closed to all off-trail access, including foot traffic, between Dec. 2 and May 15.
Facilities
This one room cabin has electricity and lights as well as two single beds with foam pads, which can accommodate up to two people. In addition to the beds, there is a table with chairs, refrigerator, stove, oven, basic cooking equipment and cleaning supplies.
The cabin has a wood stove for heat and firewood is provided and stacked to the east of the cabin. A rustic outhouse is located 150 feet east of the bunkhouse, near the larger cabin. Two additional toilets are available at the adjacent campground.
Visitors need to bring their own water, including for cleaning; the creek is the only source of water and may be difficult to access during the winter if the snow is deep. Sleeping bags and blankets are not supplied, and users will need to bring their own food, toilet paper and garbage bags. Garbage and cleaning services are not provided.
There are no facilities for horses at the cabins or within the fenced cabin area. There are hitchrails and corrals in the adjacent campground but they may be occupied by the campsite users.
Renters must clean the facility prior to departure, as well as replenish the supply of split wood and kindling. We do our best to keep the firewood stocked but the supply can not be guaranteed. Visitors may want to bring their own wood, especially by March and April, and must supply their own wood for campfires at all times.
Natural Features
The facility is located at the edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, at the foot of the Madison Range. The bunkhouse is situated at an elevation of 6,250 feet, amid open meadows that are surrounded by mature aspen and Douglas fir trees.
Bear Creek runs just behind the bunkhouse and nearby cabin, and the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area (closed December 2 - May 15) lies immediately to the north. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, black bears and grizzly bears, mountain grouse, and other species (learn more about bear safety).
Nearby Attractions
Bear Creek is approximately 60 miles north of the west entrance to Yellowstone Park and about 60 miles south of Lewis and Clark caverns. The historic "old west" towns of Virginia City and Nevada City are about 30 miles to the west. The cabin is at the western edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
Getting there
From Ennis, take Highway 287 south for 11 miles, to Cameron, Montana. From Cameron, turn east on Bear Creek Loop and continue approximately 6 miles to the cabin. The last several miles is gravel or dirt, which may be muddy or snow-covered and may not always be plowed. Maps may be purchased by calling the Madison Ranger District.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)?
Reservations for Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT) are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 108 of 109 tracked site-nights are open (99.1%), though availability can change. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 15:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)?
2 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Dec 1 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)?
January 2027, with 31 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT)?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Bear Creek Bunkhouse (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT) begins Dec 1 — about 74 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before Dec 1.
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