Entry No. 57 — the Missoula file — filed under: ritual-music
The Jack Saloon
A rustic cedar log saloon built in 1974 by loggers, for loggers, tucked about a half mile off Highway 12 in the woods near the Lolo National Forest, roughly 25 miles southwest of Missoula. The centerpiece is a massive bar crafted from a single huge log, with walls loaded with old logging tools and chainsaws left by the lumberjacks who were its first patrons. New owners Kyle and Stephanie Demmitt took over in late 2025, keeping the old wooden bar's charm while adding live music and events — open and operating in 2026.
The story
You don't accidentally stumble onto a saloon tucked two miles down a gravel forest road unless you're either working timber or following a hot lead. Built in 1974 by local loggers who wanted a place to drink after grueling shifts, this cedar-log hideout in the Lolo National Forest was constructed specifically by woodcutters, for woodcutters. The centerpiece of the room isn't fancy neon—it's a massive bar carved out of a single enormous log, worn smooth by decades of slid beer mugs and heavy elbows.
Look up from your drink and you'll spot the decor left behind by its original clientele: antique logging tools, crosscut saws, and vintage chainsaws mounted straight to the log walls. New owners Kyle and Stephanie Demmitt took over in late 2025, taking care to keep the raw, timber-cut character untouched while layering in live music, community events, and cabin rentals for folks who know better than to drive back to town late.
What it's like
The drive in takes you off Highway 12 onto Graves Creek Road, where a couple miles of packed gravel shake off whatever town energy you brought with you. Step through the doors and you're greeted by heavy cedar timbers, the smell of grill smoke, and an unpretentious crowd huddled along the single-log bar. Grab a cold beer, order a cheeseburger or a bowl of brisket chili, and slide into a booth. If you hit it on a Saturday night, expect a packed house for live music—just make sure to call ahead or check their schedule, because hours in the woods follow forest rules.
The move: Make the short drive up the forest gravel road for a Saturday-night live-music set, split a cheeseburger and brisket chili, and have a drink at the bar carved from one giant log.
📍 Before you go Reached via about a mile or two of well-maintained gravel road (Graves Creek Rd). Live music is typically Saturday nights; call ahead to confirm kitchen and event hours.
- 📍 Lolo, MT (Lolo National Forest, ~15 mi from Missoula)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 7000 Graves Creek Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- West Fork Butte Lookout — Pair a night of live music and drinks at the single-log bar with an overnight stay high above the trees at this nearby rentable fire lookout.
- Lolo Hot Springs — Soak in the outdoor mineral pools further up Highway 12 before cutting back onto the forest gravel for a burger at The Jack.
- Lolo Pass dark-sky meadow — Fill up on brisket chili at the bar, then drive up to the high pass meadow for late-night stargazing far past the reach of Missoula's city lights.
- Montana Museum of Work History (Axmen) — Trace the region's timber history through Axmen's collection of historic tools before seeing authentic logging gear still hanging on a active forest saloon wall.
Good to know
How do I get to The Jack Saloon?
Drive roughly 15 to 25 miles southwest of Missoula on Highway 12, then turn onto Graves Creek Road and follow about a mile or two of well-maintained forest gravel.
What is on the menu?
It's straightforward, hearty saloon fare—most notably cheeseburgers, brisket chili, and cold drinks.
Is there live music or entertainment?
Yes. Live music typically fills the saloon on Saturday nights, and they host occasional community events like pig races alongside offer rustic cabin rentals.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle to reach it?
Graves Creek Road is typically a well-maintained gravel road, so standard cars usually handle the short drive fine, though winter conditions warrant extra care.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: kpax.com · Official site · Yelp · visitmt.com · missoulaevents.net
last checked: 2026-06-24