Tamarack Retreat: River Front, Kayaks, Campfire

Tamarack Retreat is our family owned cabin that was a personal retreat of our late matriarch, Vickie…. a place where she came to unwind and be alone in nature. She loved to share this special place with family and friends, we thought we would continue her ever welcoming legacy by opening it up to you and your family/friends. We hope you enjoy your stay and are able to unplug, unwind, 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 with room to expand onto the couch. You are also welcomed to bring an air mattress, tents, or park an RV on the lot. There is even room for your toys (four-wheeler, snowmobile, etc.) on our 3-acre lot surrounded by natural grassy meadows. (Parking is free). There is approximately 700 ft of river access along the Yaak River, home to variety of fish from rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout.

It also has a full kitchen and full bathroom with plenty of towels/wash clothes. 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 two provided sit-atop Kayaks (PFDs and paddles included), take a short hike to Vinyl 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 (TV, DVD player, VHS player, boardgames, and books available). Reconnect with family and friends in the secluded mountains, free of cellular service and WIFI.

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 welcome!

Bedroom 1:

The main bedroom is a private area with a queen bed freshly made with soft, white, clean linen. There is a closet with hangers provided, a nightstand with a lamp and alarm clock.


Bedroom 2:

The other two bedrooms are semi-private (no door, shared hallway) with the second having an early 1900’s 4-post full bed with freshly laundered soft white sheets. 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) has an antique brass frame twin bed freshly made up with clean, soft, white linen.



Kitchen:

The kitchen includes a propane gas stove, toaster, 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, butter) 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.

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 stalked with only essentials.

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

Living room:

Kick back, relax, forget the world exists in our cozy living area featuring large windows that overlook the Yaak River. There is one couch (comfortable to sleep on), one oversized leather recliner, and one vintage 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 and other activities can also be found in the wood trunk AKA coffee table.

There is a landline phone available (dial 1 before area code). We welcome everyone to write in our guest book next to the phone.

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 TV, DVD player, and wood 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 for each guest (up to 6 people). Other amenities provided include a small hair dryer, first aid kit (on the wall), shampoo/conditioner, and body wash.

Outdoors:

Soak in 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 two sit-atop kayaks with paddles and personal flotation devices (PFDs) for your floating pleasure locating beneath the deck on the water side (PFDs in main bedroom closet). Please use these at your own risk and use good judgement. Use caution when going down to the river as the riverbank is steep and uneven. Kayak key, as they’re locked up, can be found next to the front door on a hook. 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. River towels provided, separate from bathroom towels.

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

A gas grill is located on the deck, please see welcome binder for instructions. (One barrel of propane included.)

There is a dedicated firepit and wood benches 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.

*No water available in winter due to freezing temperatures.

Reminder: this is rural Montana and if there are weather related issues, the power may go out and this is outside of our control. If there are issues during your stay, please reach out to hosts but understand it is not an easy place for out handy man to get to quickly, your patience is greatly appreciated. We will do all we can to ensure you have a great stay!

This is a rural area and it is not uncommon to lose power, hot water, phone connection, etc. If this happens, we ask for you to let us know and we will do our very best to remedy the situations, but given the nature of the Yaak, it may be a slow fix.