The Long Way
Ravalli County
A log building with a red shingled roof stands amidst trees with a dirt area in front.
Plate I. Exterior and driveway, Woods Cabin. From fs.usda.gov
A wooden bench sits on the porch of a rustic log cabin overlooking trees and water.
Plate II. Deck overlooking lake, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
A scenic lake view with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Plate III. Lake Como view, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
An exterior corner view of a log cabin with large multi-pane windows.
Plate IV. Log cabin exterior and windows, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
A single-story wooden building with a red roof stands among pine trees near a body of water.
Plate V. Exterior view of Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
An interior view of a wooden cabin with multiple windows and a table in the center.
Plate VI. Great room interior, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
A small wooden room with a bunk bed and a window.
Plate VII. Bedroom with bunk beds, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov
A rustic wooden interior room featuring tables and a blue cabinet.
Plate VIII. Dining room interior, Woods Cabin. From recreation.gov

Woods Cabin

Darby, Ravalli County, Montana. Historic rustic cabin; Peak season (May 1 - Sept. 30).

Details

Map. Darby, Ravalli County, Montana. Larger map
Where
Darby, Ravalli County, MT. No street address stated. Directions
When
Overnight rental; Check-in: 2:00pm; Check-out: 12:00pm.
Getting there
From Darby, MT travel north for 4 miles on Highway 93. Turn west (left) onto Lake Como Rd. Follow for 3 miles turn north (right) to remain on Lake Como RD, follow for 0.7 miles and turn left and then an immediate right towards beach area.
Fees
$100 per night peak season (May 1 - Sept. 30) or $60 per night off season (Oct. 1 - April 30).
Access
During the winter months, the road from the main Lake Como Road to the Cabin is not plowed, so people may have to park at the boat launch and walk across the dam to reach the cabin.
Walk-in or reserve
The combination lock on the gate is changed regularly and renters will need to call the Darby Ranger Station one week prior to reservations for current combinations.
Phone
406-821-3913
Managed by
Darby Ranger District.
Established
1928.
Coordinates
46.06583333, -114.2444444.

Nestled on the north shore of beautiful Lake Como, the historic Woods Cabin offers a truly rustic Montana experience.

Notable Events

  1. 1928Dr. Herbert Hayward built the cabin on the shore of Lake Como as a private recreational residence. fs.usda.gov
  2. 1990sAfter many years of use by the Wood family, who had bought the cabin from C.M. Buxton, the family donated it to the Forest Service. fs.usda.gov
  3. 2011The 1928 cabin was renovated. recreation.gov

People

  • Anthony Ravalli, priest who named Lake Como, reminded of a famous lake in his native Italy.
  • Bud and Irene Wood, owners who used the cabin for many years and donated it to the Forest Service (used it many years; donation in the 1990s).
  • C.M. Buxton, intermediate owner who bought the cabin from Dr. Hayward and sold it to Bud and Irene Wood.
  • Dr. Herbert Hayward, builder of the cabin as a private recreational residence.

Sources

  1. recreation.gov/api/camps/campgrounds/234288
  2. recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234288
  3. fs.usda.gov/r01/bitterroot/recreation/woods-cabin
  4. fs.usda.gov/r01/bitterroot/recreation/lake-como-recreation-area