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Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest

Photo gallery for Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest

Exterior
Interior
Property grounds
Interior
Property grounds

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8102 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
  • Mountain view

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 manager

Michael Janovsky, Owner

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Parking and transportation

  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Spices
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Books
  • Video library
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Near laundromat

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in room
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Cycling 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 installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Unit size: 1100 sq ft (102 sq m)

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  • Washer
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Policies

Check-in

Minimum check-in age: 21

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

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

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 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

Property is also known as

Hand Built Log Cabin Ponderosa Forest Columbus
Hand Built Log Cabin Ponderosa Forest
Hand Built Log Ponderosa Forest Columbus
Hand Built Log Ponderosa Forest
Hand Built Log Ponrosa Forest
Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest Cabin
Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest Columbus
Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest Cabin Columbus

About the neighborhood

Map
Columbus, MT

What's nearby

  • Stillwater River - 6 min drive
  • Granite Peak Park - 29 min drive
  • Tippet Rise Art Center - 37 min drive
  • Cooney State Park - 49 min drive
  • Red Lodge Mountain - 61 min drive

Getting around

  • Billings Logan Intl. Airport (BIL) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chrome Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Five Spot Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Rosebud Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ginger's Coffee Corral - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Peking Garden - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hand Built Log Cabin in Ponderosa Forest pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

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

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 69 out of 90 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 90 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 90 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 90 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 90 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Laura S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin tucked away
Beautiful location with lots of cool antique items in the cabin. Quiet peaceful neighbor. Beds and towels need upgrading but overall cute place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy D., Sunset, LA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful stay
Very nice cabin in a perfect location!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming cabin
Enjoyed staying in the hand crafted cabin filled with character and artifacts bursting with history.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn S., Bern

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Getaway
Perfect location for a quiet stay yet close to hiking and white water rafting. We loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shantel F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nostalgic Cabin
Had a wonderful stay! Enjoyed all of the amenities and fun artifacts. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Property, Great Memories!
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!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve J., Elkridge, Maryland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Repeat Visit
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!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Greg P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Shooting Stars**
Nice quiet location to enjoy the mountains and the night skies are amazing from the deck.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

kayla k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful!
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
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Serene and beautiful
Loved the isolation, no close neighbors. Fun home.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carol K., Powell WY

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cool place
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!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Gail H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sister trip
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.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
MT vacation
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:)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Keely H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Third time staying
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Heather S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin
The cabin is absolutely beautiful. The owner did an amazing job building it. It is obvious that there was a lot of thought and love put into it. I suggest to try to arrive during the day, because night is a bit more difficult. It is in the forest, so the road up the mountain is narrow and has a few twists. The property is gorgeous, and perfect for anyone that loves nature. I will definitely be staying there again the next time I come through
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Bill H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Nice Cabin, But With Some Limitations
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Jeffrey V., Clarkston

Nice secluded site.
The cabin is tucked away down a winding dirt road, with nice views from the back deck. That said, don't expect a whole lot. The bedrooms are just sleeping areas with a double bed in the loft, a futon in the hallway and a pull out couch in the basement. If you are in the basement, there are no windows that open, so its a little damp and musty. Also the cleaning crew must be on summer vacation, the place was pretty dirty, the microwave was filthy and unusable. Don't forget your own soap and shampoo, because you won't find any there. We ran our of dishwashing soap too, so we had to use the shampoo someone brought. If you are adverse to mouse droppings everywhere this place is not for you, so make sure you pack anything edible in sealed containers. If you are looking for seclusion and river access, there is plenty of that, if you are looking for a clean comfortable place to stay, not so much.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

4/10 Poor

Sarah K., Idaho

secluded retreat, but NOT 2 bedroom
First, this property is NOT a 2-bedroom cabin, as advertised. There is one bed in a loft that is not enclosed, i.e., it is not a separate room and is visible from the main room of the cabin. There is a futon in the common area between the kitchen and back deck. There is a sofa in the basement that folds out into a bed; it is in full view of anyone standing near the stairwell on the main floor. There is no private space in this cabin, except the bathroom. The second drawback is that it is not especially clean. We had to change the sheets when we got there, and wash the dishes before we used them. The basement area does not appear to have been swept or vacuumed in a long time. There is dust and dirt in the corners, etc. Given that, it’s not clear what the $75 cleaning fee covered. On the positive side: The owner(?)/manager(?) was quick to respond to rental inquiry, and was pleasant and easy to deal with. He met us in Columbus, gave good directions to the cabin, and also told us about some local attractions and services. The cabin is nicely secluded and very quiet, situated in the hills between Columbus and Absarokee. It is reasonably close to access points in the National Forest and Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, which were important to us because we planned to hike in the area. The road and driveway are a bit rough in places, but we had no trouble in our Subaru. The back deck and the front porch are both nice places to sit, especially morning and evening. The back deck has chairs and a table, but the front porch does not. You have to sit on the steps if you want to hang out there. We saw deer and turkeys in the yard. The kitchen was reasonably well equipped, in terms of utensils, plates, and appliances. There was not an oven but there is a microwave, stove, coffee maker, fridge, etc. We did not try out the TV or videos. Cell phone reception was good. As a “home base” for excursions into the national forest, it was a good location and a good retreat at the end of the day. Overall, I give this a “Fair” rating, primarily because of misrepresentation regarding the bedrooms, and substandard cleaning.

10/10 Excellent

Ron R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun cabin with lots of interesting history
It was a great place to rest and relax after a long day playing in the Stillwater Valley.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Michael O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house in a peaceful location.
Such an unusual house, we had a really lovely stay here in a quiet peaceful location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanna W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Javin A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
A great location for a weekend getaway that has great views and everything needed! The house has amazing design and hand-crafted woodworking.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brianna W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home & Amazing Location
We booked this place for my in-laws to stay at while visiting us from out of state. The home and property were absolutely beautiful and has such an amazing story behind it! We loved walking around the property and seeing the wildlife around it. The house was very clean and kept up with and had everything we needed. The location is between Columbus and Absarokee which was perfect when driving around to show them Montana.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022