Calowahcan Cabin: the perfect place to stay in Montana's Mission Mountains
Experience the ultimate in rustic luxury with a stay at the Calowahcan Cabin in Montana. This guide covers everything you need to know about this charming retreat, including its scenic location, stylish decor and abundance of outdoor activities.
I have hoped one day I’d be able to stay the night at Calowahcan Cabin since the moment I came across it while scrolling aimlessly through my phone last year. Located somewhere between Missoula and Flathead Lake, but nowhere on any particular “path”, Calowahcan Cabin is at the foot of the Mission Mountains. I mean…it’s right at the foot. The view alone is worth the cost of a stay.
I have dreams of staying in remote cabins around the world nearly every night. Saved in my Instagram folders and pinned to secret boards on Pinterest— every time I book a beautiful getaway in one of these places I scratch it off in my mental bucket list of sorts. There was something extra special about Calowahcan. I got to share this stay with my long-time friend and former flatmate, Lyndsay. Together, we loaded up her pickup truck and headed to Ronan, Montana, for a girls’ getaway complete with a bonfire and craft beer.
cabin location + getting there ↴
The location of Calowahcan Cabin to those visiting Montana might seem a bit strange. I totally get it. “Ronan? Where even is Ronan?!” But, if you know what you’re doing, it’s the perfect place to stay on a North-to-South road trip from Glacier National Park down to West Yellowstone since it’s a {relative} middle point between Missoula and Kalispell.
Ronan, Montana, is on the Flathead Indian Reservation, where nearly 5,000 enrolled Salish and Kootenai tribal members live. Remember to acknowledge the land’s rightful stewards as you appreciate its grandeur.
You’re gonna have to drive to get here, guys. Rental cars are easily booked at most Montana airports, including Glacier International Airport in Kalispell and Missoula International Airport.
amenities + extras ↴
For a tiny cabin, you might not be expecting a whole lot. *Wah wah wrong* You have the basics like appliances {refridgerator, stove, kettle}, a clean bathroom, and a comfortable bed. You also have relatively strong WiFi, a beautiful French press {with instructions for those who don’t know how to make coffee this way}, a hairdryer, free parking right outside the cabin, and a pull-out crib for little ones. There’s air-conditioning/heating, so you’ll be comfortable no matter what season you visit. The property has a bonfire pit, an alfresco dining table {in addition to the actual dining table}, and lounge chairs. The owners of Calowahcan Cabin have thought of everything you could possibly need, including a book that details all the amenities in the house and how to use them. They even had the forethought to put glass pint glasses in the freezer so they’d be nice and cold upon our arrival because beer is important. As a perk of your stay, you’ll receive coupons for a free coffee at Great Gray Gifts, near Ninepipes Lodge just down the road.
The greatest perk of the cabin, which requires zero instruction really, is the giant bathtub. GIANT. BATHTUB. Possibly the world’s deepest bathtub. I could have actually gone swimming in this bathtub.
nearby things to see + do ↴
Inside the aforementioned book of cabin information is a long list of nearby things to see and do, including eateries, shopping, and lots of outdoor adventures.
Here is just some of what you can enjoy:
hike to Swartz Lake - recommend *not* doing this in the early spring/winter, as the water crossing will be dangerous…take that note from experience
hike Crow Creek Trail
drive to the National Bison Range in Moiese
grab souvenirs from Great Gray Gifts
day trip to Missoula {1-hour drive}
day trip to Flathead Lake {20-minutes drive}
day trip to Kalispell {1-hour drive}
light a fire + snuggle up with Mission Mountain views
Please make sure to obtain the proper hiking permits before you head into the mountains.
booking your stay ↴
At $175 per night, staying at Calowahcan Cabin hits that ‘luxury’ price point. Take comfort in knowing that the cost matches the accommodation’s wonderful amenities, fantastic hosts, and captivating views. Calowahcan Cabin can be booked on AirBnB.
Special thanks to the local Montana companies that made this cabin stay possible through their giveaway: Draught Works, Day Body Spa, Made of Mtns, The Montana Scene, Ninepipes Lodge, and Calowahcan Cabin
