Montana Dude Ranches & Guest Ranches

Choosing a dude ranch in Montana

Montana's guest ranches range from small family outfits that have run for generations to some of the best-known luxury ranch resorts in the country. Many sit within an easy drive of Yellowstone, and fly fishing is a bigger part of the stay here than almost anywhere else.

Where Montana's ranches are

• Gallatin Canyon and Big Sky. South of Bozeman toward Yellowstone: Elkhorn Ranch, Nine Quarter Circle and Covered Wagon, plus Lone Mountain Ranch at Big Sky. Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) is the gateway.
• Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone River. Between Livingston and the park's north entrance: Mountain Sky, Hubbard's Six Quarter Circle and the 63 Ranch.
• The Crazy Mountains and Boulder River. More remote, working-ranch country: Sweet Grass Ranch near Big Timber and Hawley Mountain near McLeod.
• West Yellowstone. Firehole Ranch, a fly-fishing lodge on Hebgen Lake.
• Western Montana. Luxury ranches such as The Resort at Paws Up on the Blackfoot River near Missoula, The Ranch at Rock Creek near Philipsburg and Triple Creek Ranch in the Bitterroot.
• Flathead Lake and Whitefish. Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge and Bar W Guest Ranch, near Glacier Park International (FCA).
• Helena and the Rocky Mountain Front. Rocking Z near Wolf Creek and JJJ Wilderness Ranch on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

When to go

Summer, from June to September, is the main season, and the traditional ranches run week-long stays in July and August. Fall brings adults-only weeks and some of the best fishing. A handful, including Bar W, Lone Mountain, Paws Up and The Ranch at Rock Creek, also take guests in winter.

Luxury and all-inclusive ranches

Montana has a strong luxury tier: The Ranch at Rock Creek, Triple Creek, Paws Up and Lone Mountain are among the best-known. All-inclusive in Montana can mean very different things, from riding and meals only to drinks, guided fishing and spa time, so check each ranch page for what is covered.

Getting there

Bozeman (BZN) is the busiest gateway for the Gallatin, Paradise Valley and Crazy Mountains ranches. Missoula (MSO) serves western Montana, Glacier Park International (FCA) the Flathead, and Helena (HLN) the ranches north of the capital.