Pole Creek Cabin
4.3634 reviewsPowder River Ranger District, 1415 Fort Street
Pole Creek Cabin
$35.00 - $35.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Nightly rate of $35 for cabin usage; this fee does not reflect discounts, taxes, or incremental charges.
About this campground
Tucked away at the end of a winding mountain road, Pole Creek Cabin offers adventurers a charming two-room retreat that serves as your gateway to year-round wilderness experiences. This thoughtfully restored 1950s cabin invites you to trade city lights for starlit skies, whether you're carving fresh powder on cross-country skis, exploring hidden trails on your ATV, or casting a line into pristine mountain waters. Originally crafted by scout hands and lovingly refurbished in the 1990s, this secluded haven promises the kind of authentic mountain escape that memories are made of.
Pole Creek Cabin is a primitive lodging facility tailored for a rustic getaway. It is suitable for small groups or families and offers both indoor accommodations and outdoor tenting options.
Historical SignificanceThe weathered logs of Pole Creek Cabin hold stories spanning generations. In the mid-1950s, the enthusiastic hands of E-La-Ka-Wee boy scouts carefully fitted each timber, creating their own summer camp sanctuary where countless young adventurers learned to read the wilderness like a book. Four decades later, the cabin found new purpose when it was lovingly refurbished in the 1990s, transforming into a welcoming warming hut for winter explorers seeking respite from the mountain cold. Today, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of outdoor adventure that has drawn people to these mountains for decades.
Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Pole Creek Cabin with its own dramatic palette. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland where morning frost sparkles on pine boughs and fresh snow muffles every sound except your own heartbeat. As temperatures dip, the cabin becomes a cozy refuge after exhilarating days on the slopes. When summer arrives, the meadows burst alive with vibrant wildflowers swaying in mountain breezes, while wildlife emerges from forest shadows to graze in the warming sun. These are the months when hiking boots replace snow boots, and every trail promises new discoveries.
ElevationPerched at 8,200 feet where the air grows thin and crisp, Pole Creek Cabin offers the authentic high-altitude experience that mountain seekers crave. Here, morning temperatures can take your breath away—literally—as the elevation amplifies winter's bite and makes each sunrise feel especially earned. Summer hikers will feel their hearts working harder in the rarified air, but the payoff comes in endless views and the satisfaction of truly getting above it all. This is elevation that you don't just see on a sign—you feel it in your lungs and see it in the vast expanse of wilderness stretched out below.
Natural Features and SceneryStep outside Pole Creek Cabin and find yourself embraced by towering lodgepole pines that whisper ancient secrets in the mountain breeze. The cabin sits like a jewel at the forest's edge, where trees give way to a sprawling meadow that serves as nature's grand theater. Here, majestic moose amble through morning mists, their massive forms materializing like ghosts from the tree line. Wildlife watchers might glimpse deer, elk, and countless smaller creatures that call this pristine ecosystem home. Adventure beckons from every direction—the dramatic cliffs of Crazy Woman Canyon carved by centuries of wind and water, and the mirror-like waters of Tie Hack Reservoir reflecting sky and peaks in perfect symmetry.
Geological RegionRising 8,200 feet into Wyoming's endless sky, Pole Creek Cabin occupies a magical threshold where dense lodgepole pine forests meet sweeping alpine meadows. This unique ecological crossroads creates an ever-changing stage for wildlife drama—watch for moose browsing at dawn, their breath steaming in the cool mountain air, or catch glimpses of deer picking their delicate way through the trees at dusk. The surrounding landscape tells a story written in stone and water: nearby Crazy Woman Canyon showcases nature's sculpting prowess with its dramatic rock formations, while Tie Hack Reservoir gleams like a sapphire set among emerald peaks, offering both scenic beauty and recreational opportunities for those who venture beyond the cabin's cozy walls.
Campsite details
AccessibilityAccessibility information is not explicitly provided.
Sites SizeThe cabin accommodates 4-6 people and includes outdoor tent locations for larger groups.
Sites PrivacyThe cabin is described as secluded and peaceful, surrounded by a lodgepole pine forest along the edge of a meadow.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring sleeping pads or air mattresses due to poor mattress conditions. Higher clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing the cabin.
Best CampsitesThe cabin serves as the sole campsite available in this location.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in is available from 2:00 PM local time.
Check-out
Check-out is required by 12:00 PM local time.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.
Guests Allowed Per Site
The cabin can sleep 4-6 people in two sets of bunk beds with room on the floor for additional cots or sleeping bags.
Groups
The cabin provides enough space for small groups, with bunk beds and areas for additional sleeping bags or cots. Outdoor tent sites are also available for larger groups.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutPole Creek Cabin includes two rooms with amenities like bunk beds, wood stove, kitchen cabinets, and outdoor picnic facilities.
Open and Closed SeasonSeason opens January 1, 2025, and closes December 31, 2025.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.
Walk-in AvailabilityCabin reservations must be made in advance; no mention of walk-up availability was provided.
Cancellation PolicyCustomers may cancel a reservation prior to the arrival date with a $10 fee. Late cancellations for cabins incur an additional penalty of forfeiting the first night's recreation use fee if canceled within 14 days before arrival date.
Accomodation available
Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Pole Creek Cabin offers numerous recreational opportunities year-round. In the winter, it is ideal for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, as it is located along a snowmobile trail and within the Pole Creek Cross Country Ski Area trail system. During the summer, activities include fishing, mountain biking, ATV riding, hiking, and hunting. Wildlife viewing is a highlight, with moose being a common sight in the area.
Hiking
Hiking is available in the area surrounding the cabin, with trails accessible right out the front door. Visitors have praised the trails for their scenic beauty and opportunities for exploration.Fishing
Fishing opportunities are available nearby, including at Tie Hack Reservoir. Specific details about fish species or fishing quality are not provided.Biking
Mountain biking is one of the summer activities mentioned for the area.Boating
Boating is mentioned as an activity near the cabin, though specific details about facilities or types of boating supported are not provided.Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing is a standout feature, with moose and other species frequently observed in the meadow and surrounding areas.Winter Activities
The cabin is ideal for winter activities like snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, thanks to its location on ski and snowmobile trails.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding are not explicitly mentioned.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires are allowed within the provided fire ring and charcoal grill. Guests are reminded to use locally sourced firewood to prevent the spread of tree diseases.
- Quiet hours are not explicitly mentioned.
Hazards
General hazardsBears frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. Winter access can be challenging due to snow requiring skis or snowmobiles.
Weather forecast
48
°F
Aug 26
Tuesday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 36%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 8.6 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Buffalo, WY (approximately 22 miles away) for hospitals, police stations, and ranger district support.
Good to know
Peak season datesJanuary 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Trash and recyclingThere is no trash service provided. Visitors are required to pack out all trash and waste.
Proximity to water featuresTie Hack Reservoir is a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities.
Common complaintsMultiple user reviews mentioned the mattresses being old and filthy. Some also mentioned difficulty in locating the cabin due to vague directions.
HostEntry is by combination lock; guests are advised to contact Powder River Ranger District for the combination.
Campground Map
Powder River Ranger District, 1415 Fort Street
Driving directionsFrom Buffalo, Wyoming, take State Highway 16 west 22 miles. Turn right on Forest Developed Road (FDR) 456 and travel approximately 1 mile to a large open meadow. The cabin is situated on the west side of the road, back in the trees 50 yards and can be hard to spot from FDR 456. Vehicles can be parked along the timber edge in front of the buck-and-rail wooden fence.
Winter access requires cross-country skiing or snowmobiles from Nordic Ski area parking lot at Forest Developed Road (FDR) 473 and Highway 16. Roads leading to the cabin are rough and not recommended for low-clearance vehicles.Nearby places
Buffalo, WY (approximately 22 miles, half-hour drive)
Nearby supplies
Buffalo, WY (approximately 22 miles away) for grocery stores, swimming pool, and historic downtown.
Camper Reviews
4.4
34 reviews
Pole Creek Cabin is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Pole Creek Cabin has received largely positive reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.26. Visitors praise its secluded location, access to outdoor activities, and rustic charm. However, common complaints include issues with the mattresses, limited supplies, and occasional road access difficulties.
Review Summaries
Based on 34 reviews
What Campers Love
Visitors appreciated the stocked firewood, picturesque location, abundance of wildlife, and the cabin's suitability for a variety of outdoor activities. "The cabin is set up perfectly for a small...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Frequent issues include the poor condition of mattresses, lack of basic supplies such as axes or lanterns, and difficulties with road access during snowy conditions. One visitor noted, "The...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Guests recommend bringing sleeping pads or air mattresses due to the poor condition of the provided mattresses. They also suggest carrying extra supplies, such as lanterns, axes, and cooking...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Winter reviews highlight the cabin's suitability for snow activities like skiing and snowmobiling, as well as the warmth provided by the wood stove. Summer reviews focus on hiking, wildlife viewing,...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
1. "The cabin itself is very nice. No electric but didn’t matter to us." 2. "The stove works great - sometimes too good and windows were opened!" 3. "Gorgeous backwoods site. Cabin has mattresses and...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
The cabin is frequently praised for its scenic location and outdoor setup, although the mattresses and road conditions are recurring concerns. Visitors emphasize the convenience of having firewood...
Based on 34 reviewsShow more
Accessibility Features
No reviews specifically address accessibility features or experiences from users with disabilities.
Based on 34 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
No specific reviews explicitly mention pets or pet-related experiences.
Based on 34 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025