Crystal Lake Cabin, Stanford, MT

Crystal Lake Cabin is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (2 hrs 42 min northwest of Billings, MT) with an elevation of 6,081 feet. The site is open all year. There is a fee of $60.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (26)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		54%
4 star		27%
3 star		8%
2 star		4%
1 star		4%

@GaryB5198117 · Camped on Jul 29, 2024 at Campsite #1

The cabin was disappointing since it was to recently had maintenance and repairs. The area around the cabin could not be enjoyed as the weeds and grass had not been mown and were high. A few campers drove down the cabin driveway thinking they could just take firewood which disturbed any chance of privacy.

@JamesG6676411 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #1

There is a great well with water outside the cabin.Fireplace is awesome

@TimothyS245218 · Camped on Feb 2, 2024 at Campsite #1

Wonderful time in nature without another soul around for miles. Beautiful country!

@LauraN1623441 · Camped on Jun 28, 2023 at Campsite #1

wonderful cabin - spacious, clean, nice propane stove. Deer visit in the evening.

@JamesL2887084 · Camped on Jun 18, 2023 at Campsite #1

Always a pleasure to go up there and spend time. We’ve gone every year for the past 3 years and plan on keep going. Hopefully our kids keep it going as long as we can.

@AbbyK8769498 · Camped on Jan 21, 2023 at Campsite #1

I really love doing winter trips to this cabin. It's always pretty and peaceful. This year we skied in with very good snow conditions. The cabin was clean and comfortable with stacked wood ready to use. This is my 5th rental over the years and for the first time someone had completely turned off the propane furnace, which is a no-no. So the cabin was very cold for a few hours until we could get it started again and heated back up. After that we enjoyed warm drinks and good conversation. Love the new lazy boy chair they put in the cabin - It's very comfortable next to the fireplace! It's a 7 mile ski in with a bit over 1,000ft to climb, but a fun workout and then a safe comfortable place to stay.

@JadeL1413975 · Camped on Sep 27, 2022 at Campsite #1

Solid cabin two entryways two bunks one futon and nice hardwood floors. Cabin has a gas stove/ oven and wood stove For heat.

@KarenF9576130 · Camped on Jul 21, 2022 at Campsite #1

I was tall enough to reach the shutters covering the windows, but others might have a problem. If some slabs were installed below the windows, it might help. Also, the barrier at the road was a little difficult to move. Sometimes that kind of problem is solved with a post and wheel at the center.

@AbbyN2382674 · Camped on Mar 5, 2022 at Campsite #1

We cross country skied in and were pleasantly surprised to find the cabin already warm from the propane heater. A great time!

@WilliamK482864 · Camped on Jan 23, 2022 at Campsite #1

I had a nice stay at the cabin.

@WilliamK549 · Camped on Jan 23, 2022 at Campsite #1

I had a nice stay at the cabin.

@TimS7118881 · Camped on Dec 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Excellent are to XC ski in the wintertime.

@TimS863 · Camped on Dec 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Excellent are to XC ski in the wintertime.

@JuliaS462 · Camped on Oct 21, 2021 at Campsite #1

We spent two nights in this cabin during a school break. We lucked out with good weather. Our kids had fun playing in the woods and walking across the dry lake. We did see mice and lots of droppings in the cabin, so pack your food accordingly. We used the wood stove- slow to heat up and then very hot! We also used the propane cooking stove, which was excellent. We didn’t turn on the propane heater and none of the lamps had good mantles. We had our own flashlights and lanterns, so that was not an issue. We recommend any of the hikes around the lake. This is an especially good place to practice quiet walking and watching because, though windy, there’s not a ton of activity.

@JuliaS6816363 · Camped on Oct 21, 2021 at Campsite #1

@GlennW8329771 · Camped on Jun 10, 2021 at Campsite #1

The cabin is well equipped with gas lights and a nice fireplace. The emergency radio in the cabin is interesting to listen to. The only downside is that due to disease and insect damage the forest service had to remove all the trees surrounding the cabin and in the adjacent campground. This means virtually no privacy from the campground. Several of the camp spots are right behind the cabin.

@GlennW945 · Camped on Jun 10, 2021 at Campsite #1

@AbbyK720 · Camped on Jan 23, 2021 at Campsite #1

Esp for skiers: This is the 2nd year in a row renting this cabin. It is a 7 mile ski/walk/snowmobile from the lower gate to the cabin. Halfway up is the Crystal Cascades parking lot with an open outhouse. There is a warming hut at the lake itself, 6 miles up with another outhouse. The snow levels have been very low this year but surprisingly, the ski conditions were fantastic - not icy, not sticky. Snowmobilers pack it down well for skiers and make it easy even without set tracks. The cabin itself can have 6 people - 4 bunks and a brand new futon couch. The cabin was exceptionally clean when we stayed. I love the propane heat/furnace. We started a fire but the heat is so nice when you're tired and at night to rest well. Backpacking only needs a lightweight sleeping bag and food, personal items and water. All other items are there- propane stove/oven and lights, dishes, nice chairs and table to eat and sit in front of the fire. Easy access to outhouse close by. Skiing up takes 3-4 hrs, is a 1,200 ft total climb. Skiing down takes 2-3 hrs and is way easier! I love this as a winter rental because there is no one around and is very quiet.

@RachelS128 · Camped on Jan 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

This is a clean, comfortable cabin that is perfect for xc skiing to for an overnight of weekend.

@KateB886 · Camped on Sep 28, 2020 at Campsite #1

This cabin was surprisingly comfortable, including a working gas stove and plenty of space. The water was not working, but there is a sink and a teapot for washing dishes. The bunks are fine, but the scenery is fantastic. :) The flies WERE an issue, even in late September - be prepared to either deal with lots of buzzing or many fly corpses. Additionally, be aware that the lake dries up in the fall. This year, almost no water remained, so the "lake" was a dried-up meadow. Despite all this, I will be back to the Crystal Lake cabin - it's a great place to get away.

@LaurenC225 · Camped on Sep 24, 2020 at Campsite #1

Appreciate the forest service making this facility available, we got it right at the end of the season before gates are locked and you have to carry provisions in. Lots of dead flies and mouse droppings, if all guests made a large effort to clean this would likely be less of an issue.

@DavidO192 · Camped on Aug 12, 2020 at Campsite #1

Tons and tons of flies. We did not end up spending the night, but returned home.

@MollyB454 · Camped on Aug 2, 2020 at Campsite #1

We were very disappointed by the flies within the cabin. It was pretty inhospitable during the day and quite disgusting. The windowsills were jammed with flies, dead flies on the floor, flies buzzing around everywhere. A previous occupant had hung fly glue strips. Most windows didn't open, only 2 windows had screens. Flies everywhere. With no screens on windows, some windows not opening, etc. We could open the 2 doors in the evening to try and cool the cabin down but too many flies during the day. The 2nd day we drove into Lewistown and purchased an indoor Raid product, this helped tremendously. However, once cleaned up the cabin was great. The beds comfy enough. The location quite near the campground, which was great.

@EmilyL579 · Camped on Jan 18, 2020 at Campsite #1

This cabin was clean and is well maintained. There are propane lights, a stove and a heater (BONUS!). We snowshoed in and it took us 5 hours pulling pretty heavy sleds. I would recommend giving yourself plenty of time to get there in the wintertime before dark as the snowmobile tracks stopped 200 yards prior to the cabin once the road opened up into the field/campground. Without light...we wouldn't have found the cabin! The place is definitely minimal on the cookware but otherwise it's great.

@StevieG537 · Camped on Dec 20, 2019 at Campsite #1

Such a great resource to be able to experience!

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