Cabins at Blacktail

A Vision Made Real in the Flathead Valley

The Cabins at Blacktail in Lakeside, Montana, are more than just a collection of places to sleep in the Montana forest — something you sense the moment you set foot on the grounds. This is not simply a happy accident, but the result of special people finding a special place. Or perhaps vice versa in this case. The Cabins at Blacktail stand today because of a vision and a lot of sweat equity on the part of owners, Julie and George Darrow. “Not only did Montana choose us; this valley chose us. We purchased this property before we even had a home. We were living in an RV and felt so connected to the community and the people here that we felt we needed to stay and create something special,” Julie explains.

Of course, Montana will do that to you. Almost anyone reading this page probably already knows that. The idea of a family of Floridians selling their home and packing into an RV to start a new chapter, then finding a quiet corner of Montana and falling in love with it is not only plausible, but completely understandable.

“When we bought the property, it was completely bare, but we had a vision to provide a place for people to come and create memories with family and friends. We’ve seen it evolve over the years into something magical. It's been a real joy for us,” says Julie.

The Darrows purchased the property in May of 2021 and the family — Julie and George have four children — got to work turning the site into a unique lodging and event destination. Working in collaboration with Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, they opened in the winter of 2022 to provide seasonal housing for the mountain’s ski instructors. In summer 2023, they opened for short-term rentals, weddings and event groups.

Thoughtfulness and care have been an important part of the process for the Darrows every step of the way. The cabins themselves tell a story of that thoughtfulness. The six cabins began life on an oil field in North Dakota and made a perfect upcycling opportunity. Built to withstand the extreme temperatures of the North Dakota prairie (if you know, you know), their rounded roof profile and robust insulation make them ideal for the Montana wilderness: nice and cool in the summer, nice and warm in the winter, nice either way. Fish Haus, Ski Haus, Bike Haus — each cabin features a different theme, but coziness and the Darrows’ eye for detail and locally sourced touches are the common threads that tie them all together.

The Darrows didn’t stop at just upcycling some cabins, though. Their desire to work in concert with the land introduced them to many of their new neighbors. “We reached out to local businesses and partnered with our local arborists and people that really maintain the Montana lifestyle and nature. With their help, we've tried to preserve as much of the raw land that we had so we don't disrupt the native flowers and grasses and trees and everything else,” George adds. “They really helped us maintain what was raw, what we found here and was special to us to create this property.”

As if undeniably cozy accommodations in an unforgettable setting weren’t enough, the Darrows continue to add to the experience for travelers and locals alike. You’ll now find a sauna and cold plunge on the grounds, but with a decided Montana twist: When you drop into the cold water, you will do so in the company of native trout.

With each passing day, the Cabins at Blacktail evolves more and more into the gathering place Julie and George envisioned, and becomes more strongly ingrained in the community. Just as the Darrows support the new restaurants and shops springing up in Lakeside, locals frequent their property to relax in the sauna and find some solitude. Julie and George couldn’t be more pleased.

“This property was really a labor of love and a really incredible opportunity to be creative,” says Julie. “We were really hoping, wishing and praying it would all work out.”

It certainly seems as though it has.