Montana has been described as one big nature reserve, unspoiled and home to many species of wildlife. Glacier National Park is perhaps the most beautiful of all, with glaciers, lakes and winding rivers threading their way through dense forests and glorious meadows. Yellowstone too is within reach of your holiday destination, via the 69 mile superbly scenic Beartooth Highway and, adjoining Yellowstone, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness...with over 700 miles of hiking trails. Helena, with roots in gold and silver mining, is the state capital but Great Falls on the Missouri river is its largest city. Back to the flat prairies of the east, once home to vast herds of buffalo, where you can take a bus or self-guided tour of the battlefield near Billings where Custer made his last stand. If you're longing to get away from the stresses of everyday life, lose yourself in the vastness of Montana - the Big Sky Country.
TRIPLE CREEK RANCH
DARBY - MONTANA
Resort Ranch
At the base of the highest peak in western Montana's Bitterroot Mountains rests a 'wilderness hideaway' far removed from the rugged simplicity of a working ranch. Adults can retreat to restore their wilting spirits in a high degree of comfort. Nestling among forest pines, the spacious log cabins are furnished to the quality expected of a star-rated hotel. King and queen size or twin beds leave plenty of room for armchairs, occasional furniture and television. All cabins have private showers, some with steam showers or whirlpool baths - or both! Most have log-burning fireplaces and all have refrigerators with complimentary drinks. Meals are served restaurant-style in the dining room of the main lodge and the menus are mouth-watering. Dinner is a gourmet delight with an excellent selection of complimentary house wines. Catch a rainbow trout in the ranch's trout pond and it will be cooked for you. Exploring on horseback some of the miles of trails through the wilderness lands is recommended for experienced riders venturing on all day rides off the ranch. Triple Creek is an all-year-round ranch and there are plenty of seasonal activities as alternatives to riding. Fly fishing techniques are taught, there is an excellent 18-hole golf course not too far away and half and full day off-road exploring in 4-wheel drive vehicles are available. Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobile rides and even helicopter flights can all be arranged. The ranch has a heated swimming pool, an asphalt tennis court and a croquet lawn. Cowboy barbecues with campfire entertainment are a pleasant option. Or you can round off your day sitting in the hot tub, sipping champagne and watching the sun go down on the Montana skyline.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT001 JAN - DEC  CEDAR CABIN  1295  On request  N/A  N/A  Adults Only 
JAN - DEC  SUITES  1399  On request  1200  N/A  Adults Only 
JAN - DEC  SUGAR SERIES  1679  On request  N/A  N/A  Adults Only 
JAN - DEC  LUXURY CABINS  1869  On request  N/A  N/A  Adults Only 
JAN - DEC  SAPPHIRE  2150  On request  N/A  N/A  Adults Only 
JAN - DEC  EL CAPITAN  2150  On request  1200  N/A  Adults Only 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
30% per person £100 eachway up to 4 people from Missula £160 - £270 per person (double occupancy)
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
LONESOME SPUR RANCH
BRIDGER - MONTANA
 Working Ranch
This is a real working ranch, where you are invited to participate in the day-to-day activities and after the work is done there is always time to have a little fun! Ask Nicholas Evans, author of the "Horse Whisperer". Mr. Evans stayed with Lonnie while doing research for his bestseller novel.
The ranch has a beautiful setting between the Prior Mountains and in the shadows of the Beartooth Mountains.
Every day is different on the ranch, throughout the year they are working with the horses and cattle. Spring sees calving, branding and foaling of homebred stock. Summer and autumn gets busy with training the colts, checking and moving cattle and mares at pasture. Whilst riding you'll probably see all kinds of North American wild life - white tailed deer, mule deer, eagles and sometimes elk and bear, so be sure to bring your camera! In addition to the everyday activities the guests are also given the opportunity of participating in horseback activities such as team penning cutting, sorting, team roping and fun games on horseback, all in the safety of our large arena.
The ranch can accommodate on average around 10 guests in various accommodations, some with private facilities and decorated in western theme with log furniture, each room has a private deck. Meals are served in the lodge, family style; you may need to let your belt out a notch or two after spending time at the Lonesome Spur! Fresh-baked breads, mouth-watering and decadent desserts, salads, vegetables out of the garden, and good Montana beef are all on the menu.
Often there is a weekly buffalo camp-out where you will view a private herd of over 500 buffalo, this is accompanied by a dutch oven cook-out.
There is usually a chance to visit a local Rodeo (during Rodeo season), a trip to the local bar, listen to local stories around the camp-fire, take a dip in the hot-tub or perhaps enjoy a soothing aromatherapy massage in a real native American tepee.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT002 MAY - OCT  STANDARD  759  759  759  549  Ages 6-10 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week. £65 roundtrip from Billings. £80 per person. Private Riding Lessons available
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
DOUBLE SPEAR RANCH
PRYOR - MONTANA
Working Ranch
?The ranch is surrounded by Western history such as the Custer Battlefield and lies at the heart of the Crow Indian Reservation.
Owner Tony Blackmore traces his family history back to the famous Sioux leader Sitting Bull. Accommodation is modest but clean and comfortable being limited to two bedrooms in the main ranch house and a bunkhouse with three bedrooms, plus a small number of cabins. Bathroom facilities are shared. Good cowboy home cooking feeds healthy appetites with juicy beef steaks, buffalo meat, vegetables and salads. Bread, biscuits and pies are all freshly made with plenty of choice and an offer to meet special requests.
Beef cattle and ranch horses are raised on the 4500 acres of high prairie and the foothills of the Pryor Mountains.
Each guest has his or her own cow-horse to ride on most days. Instruction is available and the more able can take long or short rides with the freedom of this endless countryside.
Joining in with ranch work means gathering strays, colt-starting, feeding, haying and fencing and generally experiencing the dust, sweat and laughter of real life on an everyday working ranch.
In addition to this, there are normally camp fires, pack trips and overnight campouts either up in the Pryor Mountains or in the Castle Rock Gap. You may also want to participate in some of the less demanding activities, or perhaps try some target shooting. With a large riding arena, guests can also brush up on their Western skills, learn to rope or try some natural horsemanship techniques. Although they are not always available, they do try to have ranch guest rodeos when possible.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT003 MAY 27 - SEPT 23  STANDARD  639  639  639  675  Ages 10 + 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£250 per person per week Included from Billings Left to guests' discretion
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
DRYHEAD RANCH
PRYOR - MONTANA
Working Ranch
?This is an authentic working cattle and quarter horse ranch located in the Dryhead Canyon on the east slopes of the Pryor Mountains, south of Billings, Montana. They invite you to join them at the ranch and experience a lifestyle you’ve only seen in the movies! At the ranch you can experience your first real cattle drive or maybe brand a calf and ride a well-trained cow horse. Cowboys have taken care of this ranch since 1898 and will ride with you on 20,000 acres of open grassland country while taking care of about 800 head of mother cows and their calves, and about 50 head of mares and their colts.
Your stay at the ranch may include, branding, vaccinating, roping, mini-veterinary needs, holding herd, salting, fencing, rotating pastures, bull gathering, weaning calves, pregnancy testing cows, weaning colts, working mare bands, occasional horse drives and rounding up strays. Each activity depends on the time of year you decide to visit. Generally, ranch weeks include several of the activities listed above. You can be sure of many hours in the saddle caring for both cattle and horses.
During your stay at the ranch you can choose between staying in the bunkhouse, in a room in the ranch house, or in one of the cabins. In the restored bunkhouse there are seven comfortable western style rooms for you to relax in, with shared bathrooms attached to the end of the porch. The ranch house has three rooms with a shared bathroom. The ranch also has cabins, which are decorated in a traditional western theme. All have semi-private bathrooms.
Food is plentiful western style and guests eat three meals a day with both the family and cowboys in the cookhouse. Ranch home-style meals are the order of the day, with tender Angus beefsteaks, top sirloin roast, healthy vegetables, fresh salads, homemade desserts and lots of chocolate chip cookies for the kid in all of us.
The ranch promotes its own beef from pasture to plate.
Children are welcome from mid-July to the end of August and they have special rides available for the under 12 years as they can not get involved in the everyday cattle work of the ranch.
You will have the opportunity to photograph an historic Buffalo Jump, Indian hieroglyphics, wild life, National Wild Horse Range, Big Horn sheep and remote mountain and canyon country. In the evenings maybe practice your new found roping skills, have singsong around the campfire or just relax and chat about the day.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT004 MAY 11 - OCTOBER 18  STANDARD  790  790  790  790  Ages 8+ 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week £35 per person from Billings Left to guests discretion Stays are 6 nights/7 days
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
SWEET GRASS RANCH
BIG TIMBER - MONTANA
 Guest/Working Ranch
?At 6,100 feet Sweet Grass is at the edge of the Gallatin National Forest in a hidden valley surrounded by miles of meadowland. Sweet Grass Creek runs through the 20,000 acres of this working cattle ranch, owned by the same family for five generations.
Lodge rooms with shared bathrooms, small cabins with a shower house or larger cabins with private facilities, accommodate just 20 guests. The cabins located along the Sweet Grass River, give the feeling of real western wilderness as coyotes, owls and the flowing creek can be heard in the evening.
Home-cooked ranch meals include ranch-raised beef, garden fresh vegetables and home baked breads and pastries, with all three meals a day being served family style. There is no liquor licence but visitors may bring their own.
Unlimited riding over six days of the week is the main activity, with horses suited to the different levels of rider experience. This can be either scenic riding or working the cattle, long or short all day rides or morning and afternoon rides.
Guests are invited to care for their own horse and tack. For those wanting to get involved, you can help wrangle the horses in the morning before breakfast. Ranch work can be shared by guests...checking livestock and fencing, doctoring cattle and maybe moving herds to new pastures.
There is no schedule and guests can enjoy the ranch as they wish, swimming and fishing in the Creek is found to be a popular pastime. Hiking provides some fantastic photographic opportunities, as does visits to local ghost towns, Indian ceremonials, rodeos and Yellowstone, which can all be arranged.
Many evenings are spent gathered around a campfire, with good conversations and sing a longs, with occasional square dancing, guitar and piano music.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT005 JUNE 11 - SEPT 10  CABIN  765  839  765  765  Ages 6+ 
JUNE 11 - SEPT 10  CABIN with living room  830  919  830  830  Ages 6+ 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person £130 return from Billings per group £115 -£130 per person Pack trips
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
FLYNN RANCH
TOWNSEND - MONTANA
 Working Ranch
Established by the Sharp brothers in l874, carried on by Anthony Sharp's stepson Claude Flynn, this 15,000-acre ranch stretches across wide-open spaces from the Missouri River Valley to the top of the Rockies. Tuition in ranch skills by present day owner Ted Flynn is tailored to the individual, with only four guests booked each week. 'Quarters' are in the main guesthouse, built in 1910 but now completely modernised and with private bathrooms. After a hearty breakfast the day's work begins and packed lunches are taken picnic fashion near a mountain stream. Dinner can be back at the ranch-house or a barbecue at one of the mountain cabins. Mounts are primarily quarter horses and time is spent matching one to suit the rider's experience. There will be plenty of riding during long days of calf-branding, herding, fixing fences, hauling salt blocks and putting up hay. In this genuinely workday world there are no easy trail rides, swimming pools or urban pastimes. There will be opportunities to take lessons in fly-fishing, take a canoe float along the Missouri, pan for gold on Confederate Gulch, take a trip to Virginia City ghost town, or go shopping in Helena or Bozeman. After an activity-packed day, relaxing quietly is all that you will want before bedtime, ready for an early start in the morning.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT006 MAY 8 - OCT 2  STANDARD  785  785  N/A  785  Ages 18+ 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£175 per person Included from Bozeman Left to guests discretion Stays are 6 nights/7 days
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
ROCKING Z GUEST RANCH
WOLF CREEK - MONTANA
 Guest Ranch
?This small family-run working ranch is only 8 miles west of 'The Gates of Mountains', giving easy access to the towering splendour of the famous Rocky Mountains and Montana's wide open prairies.
Four generations of Wirths have ranched in this area since 1863 and have owned this property since 1952.
Guests are accommodated in spacious rooms with queen, king-size or twin beds with easy chairs and cast iron fires. The rooms open to a covered porch, great for relaxing and enjoying the view after a tiresome day in the fresh country air.
Family meals feature the ranch's own beef, vegetables, home-baked bread and pies. Heart-warming occasions to make friends with the family and fellow guests. The kitchen is always open, if you fancy a coffee, and don’t forget the fresh cookies and fruit that you will always find available.
Natural horsemanship techniques are applied and there are excellent riding opportunities over contrasting terrain, with many challenging trails and open riding where possible. This may include riding to the top of the mountains, which boasts a view of six different mountain ranges, or riding out and finishing at Silver City Saloon where you can enjoy a few well deserved drinks whilst the horses are trailered back to the ranch.
You will be encouraged to catch and saddle your own horse and become involved in everyday ranch chores. One day each week cattle is herded from one pasture to the next, or bought to the arena for team penning.
Fishing, hiking and canoeing are additional activities, while the three younger members of Zack and Patty Wirth's six children are happy to entertain your own. During July and August guests are often taken to rodeos in the area and after a long day, sore muscles can be soaked in the ranches hot tub.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT007 MAY & OCT  STANDARD  695  799  610  610  Ages 3 -12 
JUNE - SEPT  STANDARD  849  935  759  759  Ages 3 -12 
NOV - APR  STANDARD  620  720  539  539  Ages 3 -12 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week. £100 roundtrip per family group from Helena or Great Falls. Gratuity Charge: £95 - £130 per person (double occupancy)
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
McGINNIS MEADOWS CATTLE & GUEST RANCH
LIBBY - MONTANA
 Working Ranch
The McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranch is an authentic working cattle ranch located in the northwest corner of Montana. With over 200,000 acres to ride upon, the ranch stands at an altitude of 3,300 feet, situated in a beautiful meadow with a year-round creek, as well as being surrounded by rolling tree-lined hills.
With our large herd of well-trained ranch horses, we can accommodate anyone from the beginning rider to the experienced riding enthusiast. We will match you with a horse that best suits your skill level. With personalized instruction from our team of experts, you'll soon feel comfortable heading out on cattle drives, exploring the surrounding country, and learning to work cattle – sorting, cutting, and ranch penning. You are welcome to ride and experience as much as you wish.
Although riding is the main emphasis, the country lends itself to an abundance of outdoor experiences, such as hiking, mountain biking and fishing. A pool and ping-pong table, volleyball net and horseshoe pit are also available. You can enjoy a soak in the hot tub after a long day in the saddle or just listen to the rustling leaves of the aspens from your private deck.
Each room has a queen-sized bed with denim down comforters and Pendleton wool blankets, fluffy robes, complimentary slippers, complimentary water bottles for your rides, and plush towels for bath and hot tub use. Lodge rooms have individual private baths and are close to the coffee pot and fresh cookies. The Amish handcrafted log cabins have propane fireplaces, sitting area, private bath, mini-refrigerator, coffee pot, and private deck.
A great Western experience would not be complete without great Western food. Hearty meals and delicious baked goods are served both family and buffet style. Weekly barbeques and saddlebag lunches offer a unique outdoor dining experience in a beautiful mountain setting.
The ranch does not have a bar, however, you are welcome to bring your favourite beverages.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT008 MAY 4 - OCT 18  LODGE  999  999  N/A  N/A  N/A 
MAY 4 - OCT 18  DELUXE CABIN  1099  N/A  769  769  Ages 6-12 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£250 per person per week £35 per person from Kalispell. £110 - £120 per person per week
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
JJJ WILDERNESS RANCH
AUGUSTA - MONTANA
 Guest Ranch
?This guest ranch lies in a spectacular valley at an altitude of 5,500 feet in the Rocky Mountain Front Range of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, overlooking the Sun River Canyon and Gibson Lake. Just outside the back door is the rugged, million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness, remote and unspoiled country.
Accommodations are in cosy cabins sleeping from two to six people, all with their own private facilities and living areas, located among the Aspen and Spruce trees that abound.
The food is both hearty and healthy and features many homemade dishes served in the main lodge and not least traditional cowboy steak barbecues served outside.
The main activity of the ranch is riding and after receiving plenty of hands-on instruction from the wranglers you will venture out into the scenic wonder of the high country and the beauty of the meadowlands. Riding activities are designed to suit your level, whether a serious advanced rider or a new inexperienced one. Morning and afternoon rides and even all day adventures take you through the dramatic changes in scenery and the superb guest to wrangler ratio allows for plenty of individual attention should it be required. The ranch also provides a kiddie wrangler to supervise the fun rides and games for the younger children.
When not riding why not try a gentle hike, simple mountain climbing, fly-fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, or take a dip in the swimming pool?
The ranch also offers 5-8 day packtrips out in the Bob Marshall Wilderness area, so why not add on one of these and make it a truly unforgettable stay!
Being on a smaller scale also allows this ranch to be suited to couples, families and singles – with something for everyone to do.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
MT009 JUNE 1 - JUNE 14  STANDARD  885  885  885  709  Ages 6-14 
JUNE 15 - AUG 23  STANDARD  885  885  885  709  Ages 6-14 
AUG 24 - SEPT 29  STANDARD  885  885  885  N/A  Adults Only 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week. Car hire recommended. Transfers available - request details. £110 per person per week Stays are 6 night/7 days. 10% discount June 1 - 7, Sept 9 -29. June 8-14 Women only week
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Call Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or fax on 01509 610585
Ranch Rider, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DF, England.

 

 

MONTANA