CONTACT US
Reach out to us if you have questions prior to booking or about an upcoming stay.
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Booking your stay
Search for open dates on our calendars on the home page, including the number of guests.
If a cabin is available for your chosen dates, click through to confirm the dates and number of guests, enter your contact information, read the Terms and Conditions, and finally click Submit Reservation Request.
We will respond to new requests within 24 hours.
After we accept a reservation request, you will receive a PayPal invoice for the fully-refundable security deposit. Your stay will be confirmed once the deposit is paid.
For nightly/weekly stays, you will receive an invoice for 50% of the rental payment due 60 days prior to your arrival date. The balance is due 30 days prior to your arrival date.
Nightly and weekly stays canceled more than 30 days prior to your arrival date will receive a full refund minus a $150 administrative fee.
Nightly/weekly stays canceled within 30 days of the check-in date do not warrant a refund of rental fees.
If we can re-book your original dates, you will receive a complete refund.
No refunds will be given due to inclement weather, early departures, or no-shows.
Yes! If you would like to book both cabins, use the search form on the home page and select both cabins so they are added to your reservation request.
Click Submit Reservation Request and confirm the number of guests for each cabin.
We offer a discount for reserving both cabins at the same time; contact us before you book for the discount code, or we can adjust the quote once your request has been submitted.
Monthly rentals may be available depending on the time of year, and may come with additional discounts. Please contact us to learn more.
General questions
Unfortunately, we cannot offer early check-ins or late check-outs to guests. Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 10 a.m.
Both cabins use a keyless entry system; there are no keys to pick up or return! Two weeks prior to your arrival date, you will receive a unique 10-digit code via email for the front door.
After you enter your code, the keypad light will flash green and the deadbolt will unlock. Turn the deadbolt counter-clockwise to open the door.
Once inside, the information binders have instructions for changing the code to something shorter and easier to remember. Door codes are active at 4 p.m. the day of your arrival and expire at 10 a.m. the day you depart.
Silver Willows is flanked to the west by the Whispering Pines Cabins. These are small rental cabins, with the nearest cabin found about 30 yards from Silver Willows Sarva cabin, through the trees. Whispering Pines is closed from October to Memorial Day Weekend.
To the southeast of Ursa cabin’s meadow, a large private property stands with several buildings. However, the owners are only part-time residents and their family uses the property infrequently.
Please respect our neighbors’ privacy by remaining on Silver Willows land during your stay.
Unlike many of the other rental properties in Silver Gate, Silver Willows is away from Highway 212, which runs through the heart of town.
Our property is located on the south side of Soda Butte Creek, across from the willow field that borders the highway, so you’re well-removed from any traffic noise.
Both cabins use propane fireplaces, which are regulated by a standard thermostat.
We regret that we do not allow pets in either of our cabins.
Smoking is not allowed in either cabin.
Due to the remote location and potential for wildfires, especially during dry conditions, we do not have fire pits on our property.
Getting here
Silver Willows has a long, elevated driveway (about 125 yards). We generally recommend 4 wheel drive vehicles in winter due to heavy snowfall, which can occur at any time between October and May.
In winter, we do have the driveway plowed prior to stays as needed, but 4-wheel drive is still highly recommended.
For most guests, we recommend flying into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 3 hours from Silver Gate.
Billings (BIL) is slightly closer (2.5 hours by car), but access to the cabin by car is only available from late May to mid-October when the Beartooth Pass is open.
Activities in and around the park
There are several guides and companies that offer horseback riding in the area:
- Flying Pig Adventure Company (Gardiner, MT)
- Skyline Guest Ranch (Cooke City, MT)
- Xanterra Parks & Resorts (Yellowstone National Park)
Some companies in Cooke City — three miles north of Silver Gate — rent snowmobiles and ATVs. Visit the Cooke City Chamber of Commerce website for the most up-to-date listing of availability.
You can find more information about available Off-Highway Vehicle trails in the Beartooth Ranger District on the U.S. Forest Service website or the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website.
Most river rafting companies operate out of the town of Gardiner, Montana, which is just outside the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This is about a 90-minute drive from Silver Willows Cabins.
We recommend booking with the Flying Pig Adventure Company. They offer both whitewater rafting and float trips down the Yellowstone River, in addition to other activities.
If you plan to fish on our property, you will need a Montana state fishing license. For fishing inside Yellowstone National Park, you will need a separate permit.
You can purchase permits in Cooke City (3 miles from Silver Willows). Contact the Cooke City Chamber of Commerce for more information: (406) 838-2495.
Yes! You are welcome to fish the creek running through the property, but you must have the appropriate Montana fishing license in order to do so.
Guests seem to have the best luck catching fish on the property in late summer.
Bringing supplies
The kitchens in both cabins have nearly all of the appliances you will need:
- Oven/range
- Microwave oven
- Dishwasher
- Coffee maker (with filters; we do not use a pod system)
- Toaster
- Blender
- Instant Pot (with sous vide insert)
We also have a full set of utensils at your disposal:
- Silverware
- Plates, bowls, and glasses
- Kitchen knives
- Spoons, spatulas, and other basic kitchen utensils
- Specialized utensils such as an ice cream scoop, pizza cutter, corn skewers, etc.
The kitchen is also stocked with basic food items to supplement your cooking:
- Ground coffee
- Tea
- Sugar
- Flour
- Spices
You are also welcome to use any additional non-perishable food items or condiments past guests have left behind.
Yes! All linens, including bed sheets, comforters, pillows, and towels are included.
There are general stores in both Silver Gate and Cooke City, but we highly recommend purchasing groceries in the larger cities and towns close to Yellowstone prior to your arrival. Bozeman, Livingston, Billings, Cody, and Jackson will all have the widest selection and best prices. Gardiner and West Yellowstone also have grocery stores.
Please note: if you plan to use the charcoal grill, you must purchase charcoal before you arrive. Sometimes past guests leave extra charcoal or lighter fluid at the cabins, but we do not pre-stock it and cannot guarantee there will be any on hand when you arrive.
