Perched on a hill in Montana`s picturesque Bitterroot Valley sits a cozy cabin that features exceptional views in every direction. Watch wildlife from the patio, enjoy fishing in the Bitterroot River, head into the forest for hunting, foraging, off-roading, and horseback riding, enjoy skiing at Lost Trail, or just relax around the campfire and watch the stars fill the night sky.
Oxen-Le-Fields Montana offers 6 sunny acres surrounded by national forest, a tiny cabin, and 2 outfitter tents for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The remarkable view includes an abundance of wildlife, Sula Peak, forest hills, and the beautiful Bitterroot River at the bottom of the hill.
CABIN:
The cabin was originally a hunting cabin, which reflects its simplicity. The linoleum floors and simple furnishings means easy living so you can relax and enjoy yourself. Although small, the cozy space offers hot/cold water, full fridge, bathroom with a rustic but hot shower, propane barbecue, fully fenced yard, and more.
The cabin is located in nature and while we work hard to ensure nature stays outside, please be prepared for the possibility of nature occasionally sneaking inside. We don’t refund for bugs or critters but If you should see some during your stay, contact us immediately and we will come take care of things for you as best we can. We truly want your stay to be memorable.
FRESH WATER:
The Bitterroot River provides the cabin with fresh potable water straight from the kitchen sink.
BEDROOM:
The small bedroom offers a 5-drawer dresser, and two single beds with warm linen.
HEAT:
The cabin is heated by a large woodstove. Chop as much firewood as you need using the axe located on the patio.
BATHROOM:
The rustic bathroom offers a small yet hot shower, towels, shampoo/condition/soap, toilet, and apartment-sized washer and dryer. A sink in the kitchen offers running hot and cold water for brushing your teeth, shaving, etc.
KITCHEN:
The kitchen offers a tiny sink with potable water, full size fridge with upper freezer, microwave oven, coffee maker, electric hotplate, small toaster oven, pots and pans, plates, mugs, bowels, utensils, and table with three chairs. More seating is available on the patio.
COOKING:
Guests are welcome to cook with the cast-iron pan right on the woodstove, or use the electric hotplate and microwave. There`s also a propane BBQ near the front entrance, and a firepit in the yard.
WOODSTOVE:
The woodstove is the sole source of heat, and does a magnificent job. Bring your own firewood or use the axe located on the patio to chop firewood from any downed trees in the forest just outside the cabin. Feel free to cook on the woodstove using the cast-iron pan.
FIREPIT:
Toss wood into the firepit located in the yard to enjoy a contained fire any time burning is allowed (per county burn rules).
LAUNDRY:
The apartment-size washer & dryer located in the bathroom is perfect for small loads. Detergent is provided. The compact dryer does best with small loads or hang your items on the community clothing line.
FOREST:
Oxen-Le-Fields Montana offers direct access to the Bitterroot Forest. Follow the trail at the back left corner of the property to access miles of forest service roads, or just walk out the cabin door and begin hiking to enjoy all the forest has to offer.
FOREST ACCESS:
Horses, mules, side x sides and other all-terrain vehicles can access the forest from the trail at the back left corner of the property. Trucks and other vehicles can access the forest at the bottom of the driveway (take the middle fork instead of the left fork that leads to Oxen-Le-Fields Montana).
PETS:
We have two dogs and your pets are welcome, too. For your convenience, food and water dishes are located on the patio. Pets may sleep inside the cabin but please keep them inside the fence at all times unless you`re loading/unloading from your vehicle or we invite them (with your permission) outside the fence to play with our dogs.
HORSES:
Pack and trail horses are welcome though no fence is available. Please secure horses to your vehicle or trailer when not riding and secure inside trailer at night. Water is available. Please bring own hay and feed.
WILDLIFE:
Deer, elk, bighorn sheep, marmots, and coyotes are abundant. Bear, moose, wolves, and cougars also share the forest. Please respect the wildlife and understand the inherent dangers they pose. Bear spray is highly recommended when exploring the forest.
THE VIEW:
Why are there downed trees in the forest? On July 31, 2000, dry lightning strikes started approximately 100 fires that decimated over 350,000 acres of the Bitterroot Forest. The fire destroyed 70 homes, 170 other buildings, and 95 vehicles. Although the naked hillsides now offer a remarkable view as far as the eye can see, the devastation from that summer will remain visible for decades to come.
HUNTING:
Oxen-Le-Fields is located in district 270 next to districts 240, 250, and 321.
FISHING:
Blue-ribbon trout are abundant in both the Bitterroot and Big Hole rivers. Bitterroot fishing access is available all along the Hwy 93 corridor. A community fishing pier is less than a mile south. Access to Big Hole is just a short drive away. Four miles north of Darby lies Lake Como where fishing, swimming, and other water activities are enjoyed by all who visit.
SKIING:
A short 16 miles to the south sits Lost Trail Ski Resort, home to 69 runs. Sitting atop the Continental Divide on Highway 93 where Montana and Idaho meet, Lost Trail boasts over 300 inches of snowfall every year for enthusiasts to enjoy.
NEARBY TOWNS:
Sula is 3 miles south and includes a general store.
Conner is 6 miles north and includes a small convenience store, West Fork Mountain Crafts, and Two Rivers Bar with excellent food.
Darby, 13 miles north, includes a grocery store, a Family Dollar store, restaurants, gifts, antiques, ice cream, fishing supplies, and more. The Darby rodeo grounds offers exciting PRCA events during the summer.
Hamilton, the county seat, offers a larger assortment of antiques, good restaurants, shopping, fast food, ranch and hardware stores, the Ravalli county fairgrounds, and more.
Sitting atop the Continental Divide a short 15 miles south is Lost Trail Ski Resort, featuring 69 trails for snow enthusiasts to enjoy.
Fifteen miles east of Lost Trail Ski Resort is Big Hole National Battlefield which was created to mark the spot where the government raided the Nez Perce people on August 9, 1877, reducing the tribe to 1/10th its original size.
Guests are welcome to enjoy all parts of Oxen-Le-Fields except for the blue workshop. Please respect other campers` personal property as you enjoy the views and wildlife.
Access to the forest is available via a trail at the back left of the property. The trail is steep until it intersects with the forest service road. Go either right or left for unparallel views. Go left to enjoy the view from a prayer bench a short distance away on the right.
Owners live on site. If you need assistance, we`re happy to help.
DRIVEWAY:
The 1/2 mile driveway up the hill includes 3 switchbacks. The driveway can get muddy after a good rain or snow but is easily accessible in most vehicles.
The switchbacks can accommodate horse trailers and campers up to 35 feet in length.
FIREPIT:
Please burn only wood in the firepit (no trash).
TRASH:
When your trash gets full, please deposit it in the black garbage can next to the steps.
LAUNDRY:
You`re welcome to use the apartment-size washer & dryer located in the bathroom. It`s perfect for clothing and towels but is too small for blankets, large jackets, other large items. Detergent is provided. The small dryer does best with small loads. You`re also welcome to hang clothing on the community clothing line. For larger items, Fast & Fluffy Laundromat is located at 115 Pine Street in Hamilton.
SMOKING:
No smoking inside the cabin or patio.
PARKING:
Parking is available in a designated gravel spot to the left of the cabin entrance, just outside the kitchen window.
PETS:
For your convenience, food and water dishes are located on the patio. Pets may sleep inside the cabin but not on the beds unless you bring their own blanket. Thanks!
HORSES:
Pack and trail horses are welcome though no fence is available. Please secure horses to your vehicle or trailer when not riding and secure inside trailer at night. Water is available. Please bring own hay and feed.
