Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Elkhorn Ranch
A historic dude ranch on the Gallatin River, a mile from Yellowstone
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Dude Ranches Near Yellowstone
Spend your days riding and your free day in Yellowstone. These ranches sit on the main roads into the park, from Cody and the East Entrance to the Gallatin Canyon, Paradise Valley and Grand Teton.
- 17 ranches
- Updated October 2026
- Checked against each ranch's own information
The short answer
The closest ranches to Yellowstone are Elkhorn Ranch on the Gallatin River, about a mile outside the park boundary, and Shoshone Lodge, three miles from the East Entrance. Crossed Sabres, eight miles from the East Entrance, is one of Wyoming's first dude ranches, dating from 1898.
Several ranches on the North Fork road between Cody and the park, including Blackwater Creek and UXU, are 15 to 17 miles away. Firehole Ranch near West Yellowstone, and ranches in Paradise Valley and Grand Teton, are also within easy reach of the park.
All 17 ranches at a glance
| Ranch | Location | Season | Typical stay | Kids' program | All-inclusive | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhorn Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana | Summer | Ask the ranch | ✓ | ✓ | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 58 miles |
| Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 5 nights | – | – | Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody (COD), about 51 miles |
| Crossed Sabres Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | – | ✓ | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody |
| Blackwater Creek Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 3 or 6 nights | – | ✓ | Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody (COD), about 40 miles |
| UXU Ranch | Wapiti, Wyoming | June – September | 4 or 5 nights, starting Sunday | ✓ | ✓ | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, about 37 miles; shuttle available |
| Firehole Ranch | West Yellowstone, Montana | June – September | Packages from 3 nights | – | – | Ask the ranch |
| Rimrock Dude Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights, Sunday to Sunday | – | ✓ | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, about 27 miles; transfers included |
| 7D Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights | ✓ | – | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, about 52 miles; shuttle available |
| Nine Quarter Circle Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana | June – September | 6 nights in summer | ✓ | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 60 miles; shuttle available |
| Covered Wagon Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana | June – September | 6 nights; shorter stays late in the season | – | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 55 miles |
| Lone Mountain Ranch | Big Sky, Montana | Year-round | 3 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Mountain Sky Guest Ranch | Emigrant, Montana | May – October | 5 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Hubbard’s Six Quarter Circle Ranch | Emigrant, Montana | June – September | 3-night minimum | – | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 75 miles; shuttle available |
| 63 Ranch | Livingston, Montana | Summer | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 50 miles; pickup can be arranged |
| Triangle X Ranch | Moose, Wyoming | Year-round | 7 nights in summer; 4-night minimum in winter | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 16 miles; shuttle available |
| Lost Creek Ranch & Spa | Moose, Wyoming | June – September | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 10 miles; shuttle included |
| Moose Head Ranch | Moose, Wyoming | June – August | 5 nights, June to August | – | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 20 miles |
“–” means the ranch doesn't list it, not necessarily that it isn't offered. Always confirm details and prices with the ranch.
The ranches
Cody, Wyoming
Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch
A fourth-generation family ranch three miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance
Family
Cody, Wyoming
Crossed Sabres Ranch
One of Wyoming's first dude ranches, 8 miles from Yellowstone
All-inclusiveFamily
Cody, Wyoming
Blackwater Creek Ranch
An all-inclusive ranch in historic 1915 cabins, 15 miles from Yellowstone
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Wapiti, Wyoming
UXU Ranch
A historic 1929 guest ranch 17 miles from Yellowstone's East Gate
All-inclusiveFamilySpa & wellness
West Yellowstone, Montana
Firehole Ranch
A 22-guest fly-fishing lodge on Hebgen Lake, 18 miles from Yellowstone
Fly fishingRomantic & adults-only
Cody, Wyoming
Rimrock Dude Ranch
A small family dude ranch between Cody and Yellowstone
All-inclusiveFamily
Cody, Wyoming
7D Ranch
A secluded dude ranch in Wyoming's Sunlight Basin
FamilyFly fishing
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Nine Quarter Circle Ranch
A Kelsey family dude ranch near Yellowstone for three-quarters of a century
FamilyFly fishing
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Covered Wagon Ranch
A small, historic guest ranch in the Gallatin Canyon since 1925
FamilyRomantic & adults-only
Big Sky, Montana
Lone Mountain Ranch
Luxury All-Inclusive Guest Ranch in Big Sky Country
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Emigrant, Montana
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
Upscale Family & Adventure Guest Ranch
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Emigrant, Montana
Hubbard’s Six Quarter Circle Ranch
An intimate, upscale cattle ranch above Paradise Valley
LuxuryRomantic & adults-onlyWorking ranch
Livingston, Montana
63 Ranch
A family-run Montana dude ranch since 1929
Family
Moose, Wyoming
Triangle X Ranch
A five-generation family dude ranch inside Grand Teton National Park
FamilyWinter
Moose, Wyoming
Lost Creek Ranch & Spa
All-inclusive luxury beside Grand Teton National Park
All-inclusiveFamilyLuxury
Moose, Wyoming
Moose Head Ranch
A small family ranch inside Grand Teton country, with Teton views from most cabins
FamilyFly fishing
Which side of Yellowstone?
- East: Cody and the North Fork. The road from Cody to the East Entrance is lined with historic dude ranches: Shoshone Lodge, Crossed Sabres, Blackwater Creek, UXU and Rimrock, with 7D Ranch in the Sunlight Basin. Fly into Cody (COD).
- Northwest: the Gallatin Canyon and Big Sky. Elkhorn, Nine Quarter Circle and Covered Wagon sit along the Gallatin, with Lone Mountain Ranch at Big Sky. Fly into Bozeman (BZN).
- West: West Yellowstone. Firehole Ranch, on Hebgen Lake, is about 18 miles from the park and built around fly fishing.
- North: Paradise Valley. Mountain Sky, Hubbard’s Six Quarter Circle and the 63 Ranch lie between Livingston and the North Entrance.
- South: Grand Teton. Triangle X, inside Grand Teton National Park, and Lost Creek, about 36 miles from Yellowstone’s South Entrance, combine the Tetons with Yellowstone. Fly into Jackson Hole (JAC).
Visiting the park from a ranch
Most dude ranches build the week around riding, so plan one day in Yellowstone rather than several. Some, such as Shoshone Lodge, include a guided trip into the park. Yellowstone is large: from the East Entrance it is a long drive to Old Faithful, so start early. Summer is the only season when all the park roads and nearly all of these ranches are open.
Frequently asked questions
Which dude ranch is closest to Yellowstone?
Elkhorn Ranch in Montana sits about a mile outside the park boundary on the Gallatin River, and Shoshone Lodge in Wyoming is three miles from the East Entrance.
Can you visit Yellowstone from a dude ranch?
Yes. Ranches near Cody, the Gallatin Canyon, West Yellowstone, Paradise Valley and Grand Teton are all within reach of the park, and some include a guided Yellowstone trip in the week.
Which airport is best for a ranch near Yellowstone?
Cody (COD) for the East Entrance ranches, Bozeman (BZN) for the Gallatin Canyon and Paradise Valley, and Jackson Hole (JAC) for Grand Teton.
When are ranches near Yellowstone open?
Mostly June through September. A few, such as Triangle X and Lone Mountain Ranch, also open in winter.