Experience Montana's authentic charm at The Hermitage, a secluded handcrafted log cabin nestled in a Ponderosa pine forest teeming with wildlife. Hand-built cabinetry and antique furnishings evoke a 'turn of the century' ambiance, while modern comforts ensure relaxation.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire cabin
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8102 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet friendly
Outdoor Space
Barbecue grill
Fireplace
Mountain view
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest
There is no better way to make your Montana vacation complete than by lodging in and enjoying a secluded, authentic hand made log cabin.
This cabin has been a 44 year labor of love by a carpenter who designed it, cut and stripped over 180 lodgepole pine trees, and set in excess of 390 separate logs to create this beautiful unique log structure, unlike any others that you may have seen before. From the hand built cabinetry, the masonry work, the hardwood and quarry tile floors, the handrailings, to the one-of-a-kind log spiral staircase, the craftsmanship is apparent and admirable.
The cabin has been decorated and tastefully outfitted with carefully selected authentic antique furniture and real hand-knotted Persian rugs to create a truly "turn of the century" ambiance, but still has a modern kitchen and bathroom for your comfort.
The kitchen offers a whole array of authentic Griswold frying pans and skillets, and the kitchen "gadgets" have been gleaned from antique stores all across the west; most were in use from the 1920's to the 1950's. No plastic utensils allowed!
The Hermitage is situated on the edge a Ponderosa pine forest, full of deer and wild turkeys and other assorted animals; it is honestly a joy to hike through the forest and explore.
The Hermitage is licensed and inspected by the state to insure your safety and comfort. In this time of Covid-19, the cleaning crew has concentrated on disinfecting the hard surfaces, and we provide a hand sanitizer for your use, as well.
Privacy and seclusion is assured, as no other structure can be seen from The Hermitage as it is at the end of a new, all weather 300 yard private driveway.
Picture yourself sitting on the back balcony with a drink in hand, reflecting on your long day of either exploring, fishing or floating one of the several nearby blue-ribbon rivers, grilling steaks (or your fresh catch) as the sun goes down and observe the deer head back into the woods and watch the wild turkeys roost in nearby trees. Just before dusk the nighthawks swoop down for your amusement. After dinner on the back deck the stars glow brightly in the crystal clear air and the constellations dance across the sky.
This is the way to really relax and experience a memorable evening, Montana Style.
Keywords: Cabin
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Parking and transportation
Car required
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Stereo
Video library
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Area rugs in room
Tile flooring in public areas
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
In a village
In the mountains
Near a hospital
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
Special check-in instructions
The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out time is flexible; to make arrangements, please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Located in Columbus, this cabin is in the mountains. Tippet Rise Art Center is a local attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Cooney State Park and Stillwater River. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and mountain climbing nearby. Visit our Columbus travel guide
Is Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
Where is Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Stillwater River and within 9 mi (15 km) of Itch-Kep-Pe Park and Park Avenue Park. Yellowstone River and Stillwater County Library are also within 9 mi (15 km).
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Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We stayed at The Hermitage last year and it was another great stay this year. The hand-built cabin is remarkable, and if one is looking for peace and quiet but still within 10 minutes of Absarokee in one direction and Columbus in the other, this is it. Great star-gazing from the back balcony!
What you imagine your stay in Montana would be like
We were in town for a few days of fly fishing on the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers. Great location for access to both rivers. Drive up to the cabin is adventure within itself. With the climb up the road you will hit a couple of switch backs with great views of the valley. The cabin is
We loved staying at the Hermitage. The cabin is charming and so unique! The owner Michael was wonderful to work with. He provided recommendations for local things to do and see. The only reason I gave 4 stars for cleanliness was because the lawn was really long, making the flagstone path kind of hard to see. When asking my family what their favorite part of our MT vacation was, my son and husband both said the cabin was the best part. This is truly and oasis to get away from it all, disconnect from distractions and reconnect as a family. We enjoyed game nights and perfecting our fire making skills. I've already recommended this location to our friends!
The cabin is nice and has a large selection of cast iron cookware. The cabin was very clean when we arrived. Our first night was a bit cool because 2 windows had been left open prior to our arrival.
The cabin is heated exclusively by the fireplace and the wood burning stove. (There is a small electric baseboard heater in the bathroom, but it is powerful enough only to heat the bathroom.) During cooler weather, this may not be a good place for people who plan to be away all day. Also, I didn't see any instructions about how to use the fireplace and wood burning stove. I know how to use these items, but many people do not. It isn't obvious how to make sure the smoke goes up the chimney and not into the cabin.
The cabin has fans to circulate air, but I don't think it has A/C, so it may be too warm during portions of the summer.
The spiral staircase requires careful footwork to use safely. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with impaired mobility or for children under 8 years old.
There is no internet or WiFi, but there is a TV, DVD player and about 40 (?) DVD movies.
There is a caution sign on the driveway about snakes. I asked one of the residents on the road and she said she had seen only 1 rattlesnake all summer.
Summary: it's a very nice (but rustic) place for people who want to hunker down in the cabin. It may not be so good during cooler weather for people who aren't going to be around enough to keep the wood burning stove going.
We had a fantastic time staying here and did not want to leave. If I could transport us to Montana to be there right now, I would. Thank you for building such a magical home and for sharing it with us!
I really like the place. There are some many interesting artifacts, books, decorations, etc to look at in the cabin. We enjoyed grilling on the deck over looking the property. We had deer and turkeys. It’s only 10 minutes to 4 coffee shops in Absarokee. I recommend!
This is what I would build if I had the time and money. Every nook and cranny has some sort of history to find. I knew it was right up my alley as we were pulling in to the property on that winding skinny road. Wildlife was abundant, used my new binoculars to watch elk grazing across the valley. 11/10
Wonderful weekend in the wilderness. My kids loved exploring inside and outside and it was the perfect location to go out and explore the other little towns in the area
Everything was as advertised. Private and beautiful site with all of the amenities. We enjoyed all of the personal touches and were amazed by the workmanship that went into building this cabin!
3 of us sister’s drive up from Iowa and met my sister, niece and nephew from California. The property was beautiful, once we drove the road a few times we got comfortable with it. Was a little narrow and scary the first time. Was a nice location and we enjoyed the privacy and scenery saw many deer and a turkey with her little ones. Would love to stay again.
This beautiful cabin has a great story with lots of fun details inside, even though we spent most of our time outside exploring and enjoying the wildlife. We were lucky enough to make contact with someone from the property who let us know that the nearby town was having their annual “Absarokee Days” with a parade and vendor fair and street dance… so much fun!! Thanks for opening up your home to us and allowing us to experience a tiny piece of Montana:)
This is our third time at the Hermitage. We came to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It was lovely. Sitting on the deck, listening to the birds. It was time away from "real life" that we both needed. Thanks again, Michael! Aloha!