Horse Heaven Cabin

Overview The Horse Heaven Cabin is a historic cabin that sits between two scenic wilderness areas in central Idaho. It provides access to a variety of trails and recreational opportunities unique to the area. 

Recreation Visitors to the area enjoy big and small game hunting. Proper licenses are required to hunt within the Idaho and neighboring Montana.

There are a variety of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area. Bicycles and motorized travel are not allowed within wilderness boundaries.

Facilities The one-room, 16-by-18 cabin is equipped with two built-in bunk beds that can accommodate up to four people. It has a table and chairs, wooden bench, a propane cook stove, propane lantern and a wood stove for heat.

Basic cooking and eating utensils are provided, as well as cooking pots, pans and a coffee pot. Firewood for the stove is also available outside the cabin. A splitting maul is located inside the cabin. A small stream may provide water during the summer, but it should be boiled or treated before it is used for drinking or cooking purposes. A vault toilet is provided in an outhouse near the cabin.

Sleeping pads are provided for the bunks. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags or bedding, as well as propane fuel for cooking and lighting. Guests will also need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Food, matches, flashlights and garbage bags are not provided. Guests must clean, dry and store dishes used and carry out all trash and clean the cabin prior to their departure.

The cabin is accessible by four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles. The last 300 yards from the main corridor road into the cabin is rough and rocky. Guests are encouraged to bring a saw, as trees fall along the wilderness corridor road frequently. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.

Livestock are not allowed at this facility.

Natural Features The cabin was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for use as a fireman's cabin. It is situated at an elevation of 7,100 feet on a road that divides the 1.2 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3 million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas.

While the cabin is on the edge of an open meadow, most of the area is covered by coniferous forests. Wildland fires have burned around the cabin in recent and in years past. The vast wilderness provides a secluded habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Populations of mountain lions and grey wolves live in the area, as well as coyote, fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer and black bears.

Nearby Attractions The cabin lies near the southern Nez Perce Trail, which was used by Native American tribes as a seasonal migration and subsistence route between eastern Oregon and Idaho and the buffalo country in eastern Montana. Today, the dramatic winding road serves as a boundary between the heart of thousands of square miles of two designated wilderness areas, the Frank Church - River of No Return and the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness areas. The area is some of the wildest land in the country and is well worth the time to explore.

Salmon Mountain Lookout is an historic and active fire lookout on the Bitterroot National Forest. The less than 2 mile hike offers spectacular views of the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness areas, along with high mountain larch, white barked pine and abundant wildlife.

From Elk City, Idaho, travel southeast on Highway 14 and Forest Road 222. Continue east on Forest Road 468 for about 36 miles, turn south at the Trail 28 sign and travel 1/4 mile to cabin.

From Darby, head south for 4 miles on Highway 93. Turn onto the West Fork Road/Highway 473 and continue past the 14-mile marker and turn west onto the Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road #468. Continue heading west, south-west for 35 miles on paved and one-lane gravel road before turning south at the junction of road 468 and 6223, near the Magruder Crossing Campground, cross the Selway river and continue going 22 miles on the gravel, one-lane, steep road and turn south at the sign "Trail #28 Sabe Cr 10" and follow rough rocky road to the cabin.

High-clearance vehicles are required to access the cabin. Maps may be purchased by calling the West Fork Ranger District at 406-821-3269.