1916 Schoolhouse near Yellowstone-horse rides,zip lining, rafting, hiking

Gardiner, Montana
$216 avg/night
Minimum Stay 3 Nights
Bed 1

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home Cabin

Property Type

Sleep 4

Max Sleeps

Night 3 nights

Min Stay

Take a step back in time and delve into the rich history of the area. Our 1916 Schoolhouse is located on the historic Stermitz Ranch in beautiful Cinnabar Basin, Gardiner, Montana. This is the original location of the school, which provided a much needed learning place for the children in this rural area - many of whose families immigrated to the area to work in coal mines.

In 2009-2010, the schoolhouse was completely renovated to preserve the structure and maintain the historic integrity of the building. Many of the original items are on display for all to enjoy.

From the moment you drive to the schoolhouse on the hill, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views. Once you set foot inside, you are in for a relaxing vacation. The schoolhouse boasts several tall windows, each with spectacular mountain views - aspen trees and wildlife abound. Watch deer, elk, and the occasional moose graze in the meadow out the front door. Bears, wolves, and coyotes are sometimes spotted on nearby hills and fields.

Experience what life is like on a western ranch. We raise American Quarter Horses, and generally have at least one new foal every summer. Last summer our cabin guests were fortunate enough to witness the birth! The ranch is also home to chickens,pigs,cows,dogs, and cats.

A highlight of the Schoolhouse features:
*Unplug! The cabin does not have wifi or cell service, but there is a land line.
Activities typically run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If we have enough help, we can sometimes extend horseback rides into the fall. Please check with us first.
*Horseback rides and zip lining available on property. (Summer season)
*Whitewater rafting on the nearby Yellowstone River. (Summer season)
*Hiking/cross-country skiing from the front door.
*King size bed with luxurious linens.
*Mountain views from every window.
*Beautiful location on the historic Stermitz Ranch.
*A scenic 20-25 minute drive to Yellowstone National Park.
*2 twin camping mats (with bedding)are perfect for kids.
*Cozy seating area with a charming propane fireplace.
*Carefully appointed details such as a tin ceiling, original wood floors, old school desks and books, a chalkboard, etc.
*Heated slate floor in the bathroom.
*Kitchen with a full size range.
*Opportunities for children to interact with animals.
*Western ranch experience.

Do you have a larger group, or planning a family re-union Ask about our other cabin rentals on the ranch!

*Please note the strict cancellation policy. In order to further protect your trip outside of the 60 day cancellation policy, purchasing trip insurance is highly recommended.

I look forward to meeting you.
Your host,
Stacy Stermitz


Keywords: Studio, cottage, school house, cabin

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • SKI

    Ski Lift Privileges Snowboarding And Cross-country Skiing Nearby
  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Deadbolt Lock Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    1 Bedroom Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Uses Some LED Lighting Water-efficient Showers Only Water-efficient Toilets Only
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Microwave Oven Paper Towels Refrigerator Spices Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Near Laundromat
  • PARKING

    Car Required Onsite Parking
  • OUTDOORS

    Barbecue Grill Deck Or Patio Outdoor Furniture
  • BATHROOMS

    1 Bathroom Hair Dryer Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Ecotours Nearby Fishing Nearby Fitness Facilities Nearby Hiking Nearby Horse Riding Nearby Marina Nearby Mountain Biking Nearby Sledding Nearby Water Park Nearby Wildlife And Game Walks Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Books Games Music Library
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Heating
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY

    Children's Games Children's Toys Travel Crib
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location In The Mountains Near A Health Or Beauty Spa Near A Hospital Near A Zoo Near Outlet Shopping
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Phone
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Cobblestone Flooring In Public Areas Hardwood Flooring In Public Areas If You Have Requests For Specific Accessibility Needs, Please Contact The Property Using The Information On The Reservation Confirmation Received After Booking. Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 4

Map Map

School District Availability

Review Review

  • Michael L.

    Submitted Oct 9, 2025

    Stayed Oct 4, 2025

    Very clean, modernized yet still rustic/historic looking cabin might have a smaller footprint, and the owners have utilized every square foot perfectly. Our plans to back country camp in Yellowstone changed due to the weather, and we were extremely fortunate to find the 1916 Schoolhouse available. Our host was very responsive and communicated everything perfectly. The cabin is close to Gardiner which has most everything you would need, yet it is tucked away between two mountains. It feels like you are hours away from something.

  • Timothy H.

    Submitted Oct 3, 2025

    Stayed Sep 27, 2025

    Cabin was very cozy but a little too much emphasis on the history of the schoolhouse. Akin to staying in a museum with all of the pieces which didn’t leave any room to hang or put away clothing, etc. Forced to place suitcases on sofa and literally live out of them every day.

  • Amy P.

    Submitted Sep 22, 2025

    Stayed Aug 28, 2025

    Cutest little cabin!

  • David & Mich....

    Submitted Sep 15, 2025

    Stayed Sep 2, 2025

    The renovated schoolhouse was a dream stay for this retired teacher! I loved all the history and added touches with the decor. Our stay was peaceful and relaxing! The proximity to Yellowstone plus the remote feel of the cabin set on the ranch gave us everything you could want in a vacation. We saw a bear cub along the road to the cabin on 3 separate occasions. Harper’s visits to our front porch were the best!

  • Lonnie D.

    Submitted Aug 25, 2025

    Stayed Aug 11, 2025

    Perfect get away property. Unplug and relax . Gorgeous ranch property and the mountains are as beautiful as you will see anywhere.

  • Amy W.

    Submitted Aug 17, 2025

    Stayed Aug 8, 2025

    We 100%enjoyed our stay here. It was convenient to Gardiner and Yellowstone but far enough away from the main roads to feel remote. No WiFi or cell service can be a good thing! The schoolhouse was well appointed and very clean. We enjoyed learning about the history of the school! My husband commented several times about how he would definitely stay here again. I agree!

  • Lisa W.

    Submitted Aug 4, 2025

    Stayed Jul 11, 2025

    the property is cute if you're looking for an off the grid experience.

  • kevin s.

    Submitted Aug 2, 2025

    Stayed Jul 28, 2025

    Great getaway for our 40th anniversary. Amazing views to drink coffee in the early morning and a drink in the evening after a long day seeing Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons

  • Debbie L.

    Submitted Jul 19, 2025

    Stayed Jul 15, 2025

    The “schoolhouse” was cute and clean. The drive to the cabin was a 6 mile drive on a dirt road with no lights. We felt this was unsafe and should be been described in detail.

  • Mike M.

    Submitted Jul 7, 2025

    Stayed Jul 2, 2025

    My family and I were visiting the area for the first time. We were looking for something semi secluded we wanted to actually experience Montana and what it has to offer . Stacy had perfect communication before and during the stay. Check in/out was easy. Now the Schoolhouse. We came here knowing we would have no cell service/Internet and we were bringing teenagers. let me tell you we had the time of our lives. Harper was the silent all star. What an amazing well trained beautiful dog. Property can sleep 2 adults and 2 teens. Like said before we had to shift some things but the camp mats were just as comfortable as a mattress. We had more than what we needed as far as kitchenware goes. I would definitely stay at this location again. Location is perfect. My GPS took me right to the cabin. Thank you for opening your doors to us.

  • Joanna S.

    Submitted Jun 21, 2025

    Stayed Jun 16, 2025

    A quiet back country retreat. A place to relax and be tech. free. The school house is a great place to spend with your person.

  • Erin V.

    Submitted Jun 6, 2025

    Stayed Jun 2, 2025

    We had an amazing stay! It was nice and cozy inside and plenty of open space to enjoy the outdoors. Loved the rocking chairs on the front porch! Very comfortable bed, and the place was well-stocked with everything we needed!

  • Diane K.

    Submitted Jun 1, 2025

    Stayed May 18, 2025

    Beautiful views and a great location, close to the north Yellowstone entrance and the town of Gardiner. The kitchen was small but had everything you could need and the property manager was great.

  • Mary Ann O.

    Submitted May 28, 2025

    Stayed May 24, 2025

    Imagine, if you can, a Yellowstone area lodging that is so nice that you just dawdle there, rather than rushing off to spend every possible moment in the park! The Schoolhouse is beautifully and cleverly decorated to commemorate its earlier life as a real school for local children, with charming memorabilia and a huge collection of old readers and other schoolbooks. Linens and kitchen items were high quality and abundant. The views are extraordinary, perhaps even moreso under the stars at night. We really enjoyed being able to take the chill off one of the evenings by using the beautiful gas parlor stove; directions for its use were very clear.We were three adults staying there, which worked fine as one of us was short enough to sleep on the loveseat; it would be especially appropriate for a couple sharing the comfortable king-sized bed, perhaps with two children on the small mats on the floor. The fridge is only mini sized; the stove and microwave were great.Directions to the schoolhouse were very good. The driving is a bit challenging, but not at all impassable. I would encourage visitors to make sure to first arrive during daylight hours, for ease of navigation. Your car will end up dusty, but that’s a small inconvenience, compared to the lovely experience you’ll enjoy.

  • sarah g.

    Submitted May 20, 2025

    Stayed May 15, 2025

    I think this listing was accurate and Stacy was a wonderful host. I think the two parts I found somewhat misrepresented were the proximity to the main house and other rental cabin. The photos in the listing show the other rental cabin but do not depict the very large main home that is also next door. This was not a problem but it was surprising when we pulled up. This house is VERY much off the beaten path which is exciting but it is definitely 25-30 minutes from the entrance to YNP. If you only have a few days and are using this as your main location to explore yellowstone I think there are closer options that would probably be more appropriate. We were hoping we would see more wildlife being so far out but only saw the farm horses and were greeted by a lovely very friendly dog. The bed was very comfortable, the views were lovely, the water was hot, the kitchen while obviously small was stocked with everything you'd need. I think having more than 2 people here would be very tight. Overall a great stay that I would recommend to anyone with the right expectations!

  • Brad H.

    Submitted Oct 4, 2024

    Stayed Sep 18, 2024

    Amazing restoration of the schoolhouse. Quaint, peaceful, and beautiful scenery. Saw bears, elk and deer from the cabin.

  • Leroy W.

    Submitted Oct 2, 2024

    Stayed Sep 24, 2024

    Excellent - absolutely perfect and everything we hoped for and more

  • Rachel H.

    Submitted Sep 27, 2024

    Stayed Sep 12, 2024

    The schoolhouse was perfect for my daughter and I to escape the world and connect with one another, Mother Nature, and the essence of time. The puzzle and board games were a great touch for something to do without cell service in the evening after dinner. We also booked a horseback trip on the Ranch while we were there and the Propety and Wrangler was both amazing. I really enjoyed our trip to Gardiner and the host was accommodating and helpful. Thank you for a wonderful “unplugged” week away!

  • Linda K.

    Submitted Sep 14, 2024

    Stayed Aug 30, 2024

    We loved out stay at the Schoolhouse. It is an outstanding property in a beautiful setting. The cabin is so charming with everything you could want. It is a peaceful getaway and step back in time. Stacy is a wonderful host - warm and available. If you like beautiful scenery in a remote area, this is the place for you! Highly recommend it !!

  • Susan O.

    Submitted Sep 12, 2024

    Stayed Sep 4, 2024

    We love staying at the school house. This was our fourth year staying here. Place is spotlessly clean, scenery is spectacular and the hostess is amazing. We will be back next year!

  • Mindi P.

    Submitted Aug 27, 2024

    Stayed Aug 22, 2024

    If you want to disconnect, this is the place.. exactly what we expected and more. Close to the entrance of Yellowstone. Lots of shops and restaurants. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your schoolhouse.

  • Bryan W.

    Submitted Aug 18, 2024

    Stayed Aug 10, 2024

    The 1916 schoolhouse cabin has been perfectly remodeled to give you everything you need to get away from a hectic life, while preseving the character and history of the schoolhouse. Sits atop a small hill, surrounded by the mountains.

  • Shiraz B.

    Submitted Aug 14, 2024

    Stayed Jul 31, 2024

    Great place, very clean. Great view, right in the valley. Very relaxing. Stacy is very responsive to messages and email. I have not done the horse riding with Stacy, it was already booked in Yellowstone, but highly recommend doing it with Stacy. Will visit again. Thank you.

Your dates are Available!

Total

Includes taxes and fees
$258+
View details