Tamarack Retreat: River Front, Kayaks, Hunt Camp

Entire cabin in Troy, Montana

  1. 5 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 3 beds
  4. 1 bath
Rated 4.53 out of 5 stars.17 reviews
Hosted by Terri
  1. 4 years hosting

Listing highlights

Riverfront cabin with kayaks

Four kayaks with paddles and life jackets included for floating the Yaak River

A peaceful, wildlife-rich retreat

Guests describe a peaceful setting with wildlife sightings and relaxing days on the deck
Tamarack Retreat...a cozy 700 sq ft, pet friendly, 3 bedroom, 1 full bath rustic cabin that sleeps 5. Full kitchen (complimentary local Outlaw Smokin' & Roastin' Coffee), riverfront deck & starry nights from the fire pit, kayaks, and towering Tamarack Trees. Keep warm with a wood burning stove & propane heater. Reconnect with family & friends in this special place. Ideal as a hunting/fishing basecamp, family vacation, couples get away, or friends weekend. Come, be our guest!

The space
Tamarack Retreat is our family owned cabin that was a personal retreat of our late matriarch, Vickie…. a place where she came to unwind in nature. She loved to share this special place with family and friends, we thought we would continue her welcoming legacy by opening it up to you and your family/friends. We hope you enjoy your stay and are able to unwind and take in the beauty of NW Montana and the beautiful Yaak Valley.

Tamarack Retreat is a fully furnished 3 bedroom (1 queen/1 full/1 twin bed), 1 bath cabin that sleeps up to 5 persons comfortably. You are also welcomed to bring a tent, or park an RV on the spacious lot (please watch for the well head & WiFi unit!). There is even room for your toys (four-wheeler, snowmobile, etc.) on our large lot surrounded by a natural grassy meadow and towering trees. There is approximately 500 ft of river frontage. There is river access to the Yaak River, from a steep bank, high and safe above the flood plane. The river is home to variety of fish from Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Brook Trout. There is no river access for boats trailers.

It also has a full kitchen and full bathroom with plenty of fresh towels. Enjoy the river front, mountain view on the deck (don’t forget to look up and stargaze), a leisurely float down the Yaak River on the four provided kayaks (PFDs and paddles included), take a short hike to Vinal lake just 0.5 miles or 10 minute walk from the cabin. To keep warm when the temperatures dip, a wood burning stove and a propane gas heater are available. (Firewood, kindling and newspaper are also provided.) Enjoy the comforts of home in our cozy living area complete with smart tv, boardgames, cards, and books. Reconnect with family and friends in this truly special place.

Hunters and fishermen alike are more than welcome to enjoy our many amenities while trekking the backcountry. We have used this as a family vacation spot, a couples get away, or a girl’s/guy’s weekend. Pets are welcome, but are not allowed on any of the furniture including the couch and beds.

Bedroom 1:

The main bedroom is a private area featuring a rustic farm headboard and queen bed. There is a closet with hangers provided, a nightstand with a lamp, dresser and alarm clock.

Bedroom 2:

The other two bedrooms are semi-private (no door, shared hallway) with the second having an early 1900’s original rope bed with a full bed. There is also a small closet with hangers and a nightstand with a lamp.

Bedroom 3:

The third bedroom (semi-private, no door, shared hallway with 2nd bedroom) features an antique brass frame supporting a cozy twin bed. In this closet you'll find PFDs, an electric heater, a fan and battery powered lanterns.

Kitchen:

The kitchen includes a propane gas stove, toaster, microwave, percolator for coffee (best coffee you will ever have), traditional coffee maker, refrigerator, and an eat-in dining table big enough for 4. Plates, bowls, cups, basic cooking ware provided along with kitchen basics (salt/pepper, minimal spices). Be sure to stock up on groceries at either Rosauers in Libby (40 miles) , Stein’s Market in Troy (44 miles), or Safeway/Super 1 Foods in Bonner’s Ferry ID (58 miles), depending on the direction you are coming from. There is no dishwasher, but dish soap is provided.

Please stop by a grocery store on the way up if you have specific wants/needs for food or hygiene supplies as the cabin is minimally with basic supplies, including salt and pepper, creamer, coffee, and sugar.

*See welcome binder provided at the cabin for instructions on how to use the appliances.

Living room:

Kick back & relax in our cozy living area featuring large windows that overlook the Yaak River. There is one couch, one cushioned chair and one rocking chair to curl up on and watch a classic movie with the family or enjoy a new book off of our “take a book, leave a book” bookshelf. Board games can also be found in the wooden trunk under the TV.

You will also find a wood burning stove that will unleash the heat on a cool brisk Montana night. Temperatures can range from 100+ degrees during the day and dip into the 40s over night during the summer, while winter can bring heavy snow and subzero temperatures.

*See welcome binder provided at the cabin for instructions on how to use the appliances including propane heater, cook stove, percolator and wood burning stove.

Bathroom:

Enjoy a much-needed warm shower after a day of hunting, hiking, lounging or floating in our full bathroom. White, fluffy hotel towels and wash clothes (including make-up specific wash clothes) are provided. Other amenities provided include: small hair dryer and hand soap.

Outdoors:

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the gentle flowing Yaak river just outside. Known as one of the last wild rivers (without a dam), the Yaak River flows down from British Columbia in Canada on its route to the stunning Kootenai River.

We have four kayaks with paddles and personal flotation devices (PFDs) for you, located beneath the deck on the water side. Water temperatures remain fairly cold for most of the summer (freezes over in winter). The flow of the river is also dependent on the time of year, with higher flows in May-June and lesser volume in the later summer and fall seasons. Separate towels are provided for drying off from outdoor fun, please do not utilize bathroom towels for this purpose.

Drink your percolator coffee while lounging on the all-weather Adirondack chairs located on the deck and watch for our busy beaver/otter friends. Rising fish can also be viewed out here in the evenings and mornings.

A gas grill is also provided on the deck, please see welcome binder for instructions.

There is a dedicated firepit for roasting marsh mellows and star gazing. Please be sure to look up ahead of time regarding regulations on outdoor fires as they change depending on forest fire risk levels throughout the year.

The area:

Nestled between the two quaint towns of Libby (40 miles – population 2700) and Troy (35 miles – population 932).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This is part of Montana is remote and rural and if there are weather related issues, the POWER may go out and this is outside of our control. While we are equipped with full electrical services, there are other full time residents in the area that rely solely on generator power or convert to generator power in the case of power loss. Again, we are not able to control someone else's use of generator power, nor would be want to. Use of generator power by residents and anyone staying off-grid in the close proximity may deter from the usual peacefulness, it is a possibility and we want you to be aware of ahead of time.
Please reach out to hosts via the Airbnb app. Due to its remote location, your patience is greatly appreciated when we must dispatch assistance to your location.
We recently added Wifi for guests safety. Please use your cell phone to place emergency calls, if needed.

PETS are welcomed but are not allowed on the furniture. An additional fee of $50 will be added if there is evidence of pets using the furniture. Please pickup pet waste before leaving.

If the KEY is not returned or lost, a $50 fee will be added.

Use trash recepticles provided. Do not place trash or food items (including pet food) outdoors. These are attractacts for pests and wild animals. You are in bear country and while they keep to themselves for the most part, they would not be shy when it comes to a free meal.

Trash will be removed by cleaning company upon your departure. If you need removal prior to departure, please contact host. There is a community are dump area just past the coffee stand in the town of Yaak open daily from 8am-6pm. In addition, there are several "green can" bins for trash along River Road (Hwy 508) when headed towards Troy, MT.

PLAN ahead, there is no cell service after leaving Troy or Libby. You will not have WiFi until you arrive or in the town of Yaak (10 minutes away from cabin). Print out onscreen shot directions and purchase all necessary items before leaving Troy or Libby.

Always make sure any FIRES are out before leaving them and be sure to check local fire conditions at MTFireInfo .org

If there are any medical issues, please call 911 from your own cell phone.

Guest access
Access to entire place. Be mindful of neighboring homes and do not trespass onto their properties.

Prior to your arrival, you will be provided turn-by-turn driving instructions (to the 10th of a mile) depending on the direction you are coming from. Be sure to print or screenshot directions, as GPS is not accessible during your one hour drive. WiFi is available once you arrive. Please give just a shout out to the host so we know you've arrived!

Other things to note
Getting there:
Remember, there is no cell service or wifi until you reach cabin. Do not rely on mobile maps loading, have directions pulled up or even printed out ahead of time. Printed out directions to nearby attractions are located in the welcome binder at the cabin if needed. Road conditions vary season to season, we do recommend at least an all-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance, however you will see locals roughing it with much less, it is up to your discretion, but 4-wheel/all-wheel drive (needed in winter) will not let you down. Be sure to drive safe, pay attention and watch for other drivers and wildlife. We simply want you to have a positively memorable experience in this beloved land. Average drive time, whether coming from Libby (40 mi) or from the Idaho side, is approximately one hour.

Neighborhood:
We ask for all guest to be respectful of the neighboring homes. To keep it simple, people live out in the Yaak to not be bothered by others, surely the same intentions you have for wanting to escape to the Tamarack Retreat. This means, do not go onto surrounding properties or their docks and keep noise levels respectable especially at night. Montana people are truly some of the most decent folks out there.

Animals:
This is a rural, wild area and is home to a variety of animals including the grizzly bear, black bear, moose, wolves, mountain lion, deer, elk, geese, ducks, and many other smaller creatures including river otter and beaver you may see scurrying in and around the river. Owls are typically seen in the early morning on the lot across the river from the cabin (binoculars provided). Listen closely and you’ll likely hear the ominous howl of the wolf.

That being said, always use caution when hiking—this is a wilderness area and you’re sharing space in the animals’ home. We recommend you carry bear spray whenever hiking in the area. Two canisters are provided for your use during your stay. Please return the canisters before departing the cabin. Do not store any attractants outside. That includes food, trash, and pet food. Pets should not be left outside unattended and should be on leash when hiking for their own protection and security.

Restaurants:
The small burg of Yaak is located approximately 10 mi. from the cabin and is home to the famous Dirty Shame Saloon and the Yaak Mercantile (WIFI available). The mercantile offers basic supplies, a restaurant/bar, gasoline/diesel fuel; state fishing license sales (required for all fishing areas). Depending on the time of year, the mercantile and the Dirty Shame host several community events annually including Wings Cancer Fundraiser (May), Squatch Fest (June), and Outhouse Races (Feb). The “Merc” is a great take-out after a leisurely float downstream on the Yaak River.

Activities:
Cross country backpacking trails, snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, mountain biking, camping, and much more can be enjoyed in this part of Big Sky Montana.

Enjoy a short hike to Vinal Lake for some great fishing!

Glacier National Park is very well worth the 3-hour drive (reservations may be required).

Head north only 35 miles to the Canadian border.

Turner Mountain Ski Area is 22 miles away (keep in mind their moto is: “Steep, Deep, and Cheap!”) and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Area (SandPoint, ID) is 95 miles (little over a 2 hour drive) away.

During your stay, be sure to visit the Swinging Bridge, a 210’ wide suspension bridge that spans across the Kootenai River, with stunning views of the majestic and powerful Kootenai Falls. Located at mile post 21 between Libby and Troy off Highway 2.

Go a bit further and walk among the towering hundreds year-old giant cedars in the Ross Creek Cedars, located off Highway 56.

Another local attraction is the Yaak River Falls which can be viewed from the scenic viewing point located on Highway 508 southwest of Yaak.

There are several fire lookout towers in the area that can be visited, and some allow overnight camping. The USFS for the Kootenai National Forest has a list of active and inactive lookout towers in the area.

The stars are bigger and brighter in NW Montana! Stay up late (sunset in summer is almost 11PM Mountain Time), step outside and look up! You will not be disappointed!

General safety:
A large first aid kit (located in the bathroom) and bear spray (upper cabinet to the left of the kitchen sink) are provided. Bugspray is also provided, but to set expectations early, the mosquitos especially, are rarely bothered by bug sprays ranging from Deet to homemade so be prepared on hikes with bug nets or any other physical barriers you can think of.
Local law enforcement numbers are provided, as well as USFS for fire building restrictions. Wifi is also available at the Yaak Mercantile (4.3 miles).
*no water available in winter due to freezing temperatures.

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Mountain view
River view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Free parking on premises

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4.53 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 59% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 35% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 6% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars for value

Guests mention

Where you’ll be

Yaak

From the host

Nestled between the two quaint towns of Libby (40 miles – population 2700) and Troy (35 miles – population

We ask for all guest to be respectful of the neighboring homes. To keep it simple, people live out in the Yaak to not be bothered by others, surely the same intentions you have for wanting to escape to the Tamarack Retreat. This means, do not go onto surrounding properties or their docks and keep noise levels respectable especially at night. Montana people are truly some of the most decent folks out there.

Meet your host

Started hosting in 2022
Where I went to school: Libby High School
Fun fact: I love long driving trips

Co-hosts

  • Connor
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