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Downing Mountain Lodge

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Property grounds
Property grounds
3 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets
Fireplace, foosball, stereo
Bathtub, hair dryer, towels
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendlyPet friendlyPet friendly
  • Outdoor SpaceOutdoor SpaceOutdoor Space
  • Mountain viewMountain viewMountain view

Explore the area

Map
Hamilton, Mt
  • Popular LocationDaly Mansion15 min drive
  • Popular LocationBlodgett Creek Trailhead21 min drive
  • Popular LocationStock Farm Club32 min drive
  • AirportMissoula, MT (MSO-Missoula Intl.)87 min drive

Room options

About the neighborhood

Hamilton

In Hamilton .At this Hamilton chalet, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Bitterroot Valley and 6 miles (10 km) of Bitterroot River. Bitterroot Health - Daly Hospital is within 6 miles (10 km) and Blodgett Creek Trailhead is within 9 miles (15 km).

What's nearby

  • Bitterroot Valley - 1 min walk
  • Daly Mansion - 15 min drive
  • Sawtooth Trailhead - 20 min drive
  • Blodgett Creek Trailhead - 21 min drive
  • Stock Farm Club - 32 min drive

Getting around

  • Missoula Intl. Airport (MSO) - 88 min drive

Restaurants

  • Higherground Brewing Company - 13 min drive
  • Brewskies - 13 min drive
  • McDonald's - 13 min drive
  • Bitter Root Brewing - 12 min drive
  • River Rising - 12 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Downing Mountain Lodge

Located 2,000' above the Bitterroot Valley, the Downing Mountain Lodge is a log chalet built in the round on a single level. With one hundred mile views and end of the road privacy, the rustic lodge built in the 1970's hosts all types of recreationists, solitude seekers, and nature lovers all year round. Located in a remote mountainous setting, the lodge is for hearty folk looking for a beautiful, adventurous, and rustic base camp including a hot tub and sauna. The Downing Mountain Lodge is a 2,500 square foot, log yurt built into the Bitterroot Mountains 7 road miles west of the town of Hamilton, Montana. With total privacy, the forested mountainside, hiking, wildflowers,  huckleberry picking, backcountry skiing, amazing views, and comfortable amenities, the Downing Mountain Lodge is a one of a kind, unique mountainside retreat for all your adventure, events, and relaxation needs. With an outside barbecue deck overlooking the valley, the front lawn featuring a hot tub, a wood fired sauna in the stone hut outside the backdoor, a great room centered by a massive stone fireplace, dining tables and room for up to fifty guests for your catered event, and a foosball table, guitar and piano, bring the whole party and the dog! Located only twenty minutes from Hamilton, with complete privacy, and three miles from the nearest neighbor, you will feel relaxed and above it all during your visit. The lodge is open year round for guests with winter time backcountry skiing the main activity and summertime fishing, hiking, gatherings, and relaxing. With a mandatory drive on a three mile, dirt, forested mountain road, at times graced by carpets of wildflowers or punctuated by deer, elk, fox, grouse, moose, black bears, bobcats, and coyotes and wolves and mountain lions, the Lodge is NOT for everyone. For those seeking solitude with their group, an expansive retreat, and comfortably rustic amenities, you will love the lodge. The lodge is primarily heated by burning wood and guests will have the opportunity to split their own firewood and start and maintain the fires in the woodstove and fireplace. A well stocked utilitarian commercial kitchen is not boutique, communal bathrooms with two toilets and one inside shower, and an outside hot tub and sauna round out the lodge's amenities and  welcome you to an authentic Montana nature retreat where you will be able to live again close to Earth and with your loved ones.  The entire lodge and 100 acre property with thousands of Forest Service mountainside acres of forest, wildlife, wildflowers in May and June and huckleberries in July and August is available exclusively to our guests. Backcountry powder skiing from December through March and spring corn skiing in April and May.  Accessible via a dirt, switchbacking, mountain road, the roadway has a couple of gates along its 3 mile approach and the lodge is locked with a combination lock.  Guests are able to call on me for help with lodge facilities, recreation ideas, dining options, and guide services for backcountry skiing, fishing, horse riding, river trips, sailing trips, mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking.  We are three miles beyond the last home on Grubstake Road, 7 miles by road from downtown Hamilton. The neighborhood includes grouse, deer, elk, bear, moose, wildflowers, huckleberries, hiking trails, a forest of green trees, two spring creeks, a burnt forest, and wind and sunshine.  As a remote wilderness lodge, guests will want their own car to access the lodge and surrounding areas. The access driveway is dirt, 3 miles long, and in fairly good condition. https://youtu.be/vs7GCXQq6ek

Property manager

JLehrman

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Sauna
  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Piano
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Foosball table on site

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • 1 unit
  • Unit size: 2,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Parties and events are allowed on site. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Bitterroot Mountain Chalet
Downing Mountain Lodge Chalet
382021
Downing Mountain Lodge Hamilton
Downing Mountain Lodge Chalet Hamilton

Frequently asked questions

How close is Downing Mountain Lodge to the airport?

This chalet is 56 mi (88-min drive) away from the Missoula Intl. Airport (MSO) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Downing Mountain Lodge have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this chalet.

How close is Downing Mountain Lodge to the beach?

This chalet is 17.5 mi (33-min drive) from Como Swimming Beach.

Does Downing Mountain Lodge offer free breakfast?

This chalet does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Downing Mountain Lodge?

No, there is no casino at this chalet.

What time is check-in at Downing Mountain Lodge?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Downing Mountain Lodge?

Free parking is not available at this chalet.

Does Downing Mountain Lodge have a pool?

This chalet does not have a pool.

Does Downing Mountain Lodge have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this chalet.

How close is Downing Mountain Lodge to downtown Hamilton?

This chalet is 3.5 mi away from Hamilton.

Downing Mountain Lodge Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews" "

7.2/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Richard W., ALEXANDRIA

Great stay at the top of Montanta
Really loved the stay on Downing Mountain. The yurt has great gathering areas both in the large 'great room' or the huge deck, both of which provide excellent view of Hamilton and the valley below. It is a great launch point to enjoy hiking (either straight up the mountain or other trail heads nearby), fishing or just relaxing on the river.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kara T., Stevensville, MT

Fireworks view
For the 2nd summer, we had a great time at the Lodge. We added a few people since our stay last year, and our family group loved the character/ambiance and views at DML. Of course we hope to return again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ben M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fly fishing trip
Loved the location and the house. My only request because we were there when it was really hot is to get a window or wall A/C put in. The temps were really hot when we were at the property. Towels were hard and scratchy so they could maybe just upgrade to new towels. Overall I would highly recommend and loved the property. Would be interested to stay in the winter as I think it would be epic for backcountry skiing!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tony K., Wayzata, Minnesota USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing property that is very unique. Not the Rotz but has a better view and much more authentic!
Downing Mountain lodge is truly a special property with a history, view, access and a setting that is in a class of its own. Feel like you’re in a James Bond film at night looking down on the lights of the valley through the large panoramic windows of the 16 sided log structure. Cooking is a breeze with the commercial stove and griddle. Pancakes, potatoes and bacon all going at once! As said it is not the Ritz. The lodge isn’t new, it gets used by enthusiasts who use it hard, and requires a little more effort than staying at a corporate chain hotel. However, it is authentic and a place we’ll remember. I would gladly return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Erik S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great get away and perfect Covid remote work place. Loved the view and everything about it!
From the view to chopping firewood for the fireplace, playing family music with the instruments and cooking in a restaurant kitchen, it was a great experience we will always remember fondly.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stephen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome!
Really cool place in a great location.

10/10 Excellent

Kara T., Stevensville, MT

Ultimate Socially Distant Vacation
Amazing sunrise views, and even better stargazing from the hot tub. Plenty of space to stretch out for our group and grandma even got her own bedroom. Each of us had adventures we loved - hiking to the top of the mountain, yoga on the deck, taking a sauna and an outdoor shower, cooking a gourmet meal for our group to enjoy in the dining room! It is a bit rustic as others have said but it’s a special place and we’re planning our next trip around a stay at the Downing Mountain Lodge.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Scott M.

Spectacular view
Lodge on the hill’s views are amazing. Lodge itself is funky and fun remnant of the 70’s. Much bigger than the pictures. Perfect place to chill out as we weathered a number of storms while hanging out by the giant fireplace. Owner is responsive and immediately sent help when storm blew a tree over the access road. Plan on an extra 15-20 minutes to get anywhere else. Ex-restaurant kitchen is very “ex” and could use a good fixing up or at least a commercial quality cleaning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Audrey S., Spokane, wa

Liked: Cleanliness
Montana Gem
We loved this place! This was our first VRBO booking and it did not disappoint! The property was comfortably rustic as we expected. The owner communicated with us well. We loved spending our family Christmas there! We enjoyed time in the sauna and hot tub. We got some sledding done. We had everything we needed in the kitchen and slept comfortably in the rooms. We would surely recommend it to others!

8/10 Good

Krissy P.

Montana
Place is really rustic and unique. Kids weren’t on their phones and had a blast. It could use some updating but the views FANTASTIC!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019