How much does camping cost at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Camping fees at Squirrel Meadows Cabin are $40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Squirrel Meadows Cabin first-come first-served or reservation?

Squirrel Meadows Cabin accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Squirrel Meadows Cabin before I book?

Yes! Squirrel Meadows Cabin has 29 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Squirrel Meadows Cabin is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Squirrel Meadows Cabin does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Fire policies at Squirrel Meadows Cabin: Please make sure fires in the outside campfire ring are extinguished completely before leaving the cabin. Abandoning campfires during any point in your stay at the cabin can result in a violation.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Squirrel Meadows Cabin have?

Squirrel Meadows Cabin has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Yes, pets are allowed at Squirrel Meadows Cabin. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Squirrel Meadows Cabin offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

Popular activities at Squirrel Meadows Cabin include Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Squirrel Meadows Cabin

4.58

21 reviews

ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT

Top 3% in IDWinter

Scenic ViewsPeace & Quiet

Featured in:Camping Near Yellowstone National Park Camping Near Grand Teton National Park

Quick Facts

6,500 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Guests can drive to ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,500 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Guests can drive to ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT Official Website

Get Directions

Squirrel Meadows Cabin

$40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN NONELECTRIC: $40.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-652-7442

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT

Squirrel Meadows Cabin

ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT

Nearby places

Ashton, ID (24 miles, approx. 40-minute drive).

Weather at Squirrel Meadows Cabin

Current alerts(7)

Click here for more information about Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more.
Pick up the cabin key at the Ashton Ranger Station, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; to make arrangements for after hours or weekend pickup, call (208) 652-7442 during regular business hours

Best Time to Camp at Squirrel Meadows Cabin

Best season: winter. Winter at Squirrel Meadows Cabin delivers solitude, crystalline snowy landscapes, and prime conditions for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing — perfect if you want an unplugged, cozy cabin experience beneath star-filled skies. Expect daytime highs in the 20s–30s°F in December with nights that can dip to around 15°F; the cold, clear air also makes wildlife tracks and frosted meadows especially scenic. Crowds are minimal compared with summer, but access can be dependent on early-season snowpack, Peak months: December, July, August, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 3% in ID

Described as best season; praised for snowshoeing, cross‑country skiing and snowy solitude.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Guests can drive to the cabin from mid-May through mid-November, although about 10 miles of the trip are on gravel roads. Snowmobiles and cross-country skis are required to access the cabin from approximately early December through mid-May.

About Squirrel Meadows Cabin

Squirrel Meadows Cabin sits in mid-elevation forest within Caribou-Targhee National Forest, operated by the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District near Ashton, Idaho. This remote rental cabin offers a wintertime retreat with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings, drawing visitors who want solitude and wildlife viewing in snowy landscapes. The cabin provides a cozy base for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with moose sightings common in the surrounding forest.

Squirrel Meadows Cabin is a rustic, historic cabin offering primitive camping accommodations. It is focused on cabin lodging with no RV or tent sites available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: winter. Winter at Squirrel Meadows Cabin delivers solitude, crystalline snowy landscapes, and prime conditions for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing — perfect if you want an unplugged, cozy cabin experience beneath star-filled skies. Expect daytime highs in the 20s–30s°F in December with nights that can dip to around 15°F; the cold, clear air also makes wildlife tracks and frosted meadows especially scenic. Crowds are minimal compared with summer, but access can be dependent on early-season snowpack, Peak months: December, July, August, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation6500 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryPine forest surrounds the cabin, with mountain views in the distance. Reviewers report moose, elk, black bears, and grizzlies in the area. One visitor saw a moose with calf and ruby-crowned kinglets near the meadow. The setting is private and quiet, though one review mentioned unauthorized visitors on site.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe cabin provides rustic lodging with bunk beds and mattresses for up to six people. It is made of lodgepole pine, features a wood-shingled roof, and offers historical significance as it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum of 7 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 6 guests allowed.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online via Recreation.gov or by contacting the facility.

AccessibilityThe cabin is accessible via snowmobiles and cross-country skis during the winter season. Vault toilets are accessible.

Site SizeThe cabin is designed to accommodate six occupants. The site includes ample space for parking and adjacent trails.

PrivacyThe location offers significant privacy, surrounded by pine trees and distant mountain views. However, one review noted an issue with unauthorized visitors occupying the area.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesUsers recommend doubling sleeping pads for comfort and bringing additional cookware for larger meals. Several reviews suggest signage to enforce reservation-only policy.

Need help booking Squirrel Meadows Cabin?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Squirrel Meadows Cabin offers a unique and rustic camping experience. As described, the cabin sleeps six and includes bunk beds with mattresses, a wood stove for cooking, a table and chairs, and firewood. Outside, the amenities include a hand pump for drinking water, a vault toilet, a picnic table, and horse corrals. There is no electricity at the site, and guests are advised to bring their own battery or propane-powered lighting. Bedding, matches, and emergency supplies are not provided, and guests must pack out all garbage. The cabin is situated in a meadow at an elevation of 6,500 feet on the Yellowstone Plateau, surrounded by pine trees and distant mountain views.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at Squirrel Meadows Cabin

Guests can engage in a wide variety of activities year-round, including horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, berry picking in late summer, and hunting during the appropriate season. Available within a few miles are off-road vehicle and motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, hiking, and mountain biking.

Wildlife viewing5.0/5Top 1% in Idaho

Winter Activities4.5/5Top 3% in Idaho

Described as a wintertime retreat prime for snowshoeing and cross‑country skiing; snowmobile access noted.

Water Sports

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.0/5Remote, 6,500 ft elevation and private setting imply good dark‑sky potential.

Photography4.5/5Wildlife (moose, elk), meadow scenes and mountain views provide strong photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsThere are no flush toilets; a vault toilet is provided outside the cabin.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.6

21 reviews

Top-Rated

Squirrel Meadows Cabin is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Squirrel Meadows Cabin is highly praised for its rustic charm, historical significance, privacy, and surrounding natural beauty. The cabin is described as clean, cozy, and well-maintained, with wildlife sightings adding to the experience. However, occasional issues with unauthorized visitors and mixed reviews about bathroom cleanliness and access logistics were mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 21 reviews

What Campers Love

"Lovely place!! So comfortable and such history behind the cabin!" "The cabin was warm and cozy. There was plenty of firewood." "We love Squirrel Meadows Cabin." "Beautiful setting; saw moose and...

Based on 21 reviews

Common Concerns

Unauthorized visitors occupying the area were noted in one review: "Mountain bikes scattered around the cabin, with people sleeping in the parking zone...not a good situation." Bathroom cleanliness...

Based on 21 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews primarily focused on the cabin (Site 001, Loop: SQUIRREL MEADOWS CABIN). Winter reviews highlighted the cabin's warmth and fresh snow while summer reviews noted wildlife...

Based on 21 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own cookware if you plan to make larger meals. One reviewer suggested: "There are only 3 small saucepans and a skillet, so if you plan to cook pasta or something large, bring a pan."...

Based on 21 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter visitors praised the cabin's warmth and accessibility via snowmobiles and cross-country skis. Some summer reviews mentioned bugs and unauthorized visitors.

Based on 21 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We cross-country skied here in December. My GPS tracker recorded 9.5 miles one way." "No cell service, which is a plus." "Lovely place!! So comfortable and such history behind the cabin." "Beautiful...

Based on 21 reviews

Accessibility Features

"We skied in and enjoyed the fresh snow and the quiet. Cabin was in immaculate condition." Winter accessibility was praised for snowmobile and ski routes, although summer access involves gravel roads.

Based on 21 reviews