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 wildlife - 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 the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Located in the "heart of the west", this working guest ranch has been raising cattle and sheep for three generations and has horses to suit all levels of rider experience. Set in the shadows of the Beartooth Mountains and on Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, rides will take you to explore the ranch through wide-open ranges and up into pine-covered mountains.
Dependant upon the season, guests will be able to get involved in all aspects of ranch life and be able to help out with many of the chores, from wrangling horses to branding, doctoring and moving cattle, putting out salt blocks or feeding the animals. When not riding, or as an alternative, you can spend time learning about the horses and cattle, hiking, mountain biking, fishing or relaxing. The ranch is located in an ideal location for wildlife spotting, including numerous varieties of birds, white tail, fox, coyote, with the occasional visit from a bear, mountain lion, moose or elk. At the end of a busy day and as the evening draws in, the hot tub is a great place to unwind and watch the stars begin to appear above you.
Once a week your hosts also plan a day trip to explore the western town of Cody, possibly visiting the Buffalo Bill Museum, the many small western shops on the main street and taking in an evening rodeo (June through August).
Twelve comfortable guest rooms which all have private baths, air conditioning and either a spectacular mountain or river view, are set in three different wings of the ranch house.
Hearty home cooked meals ensure that nobody goes hungry after their days filled with fresh air and fun. Delicious breakfasts, lunches and suppers are served family style in the main ranch house.

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.