A horseback escape into the heart of Big Sky Country
This family-run ranch is nestled in the central mountains of Big Sky Country, Montana, where the hats are big and the personalities even bigger. It’s a Western paradise where horses and humans connect on a deep level, with crafty cows to work and endless countryside to explore.
Trip Highlights
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Loping through prairies blooming in wildflowers.
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Forming a deep connection with your horse using natural horsemanship methods.
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Taking your pick of over 25,000 acres of untouched, pristine country to explore.
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Feeling your nifty cow horse duck and weave as you try your hand at team roping.
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Getting lost in the beauty of the landscape as you gaze at the unrivalled scenery of Big Sky Country.
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The thrill of summiting a dramatic ridge astride your surefooted steed.
• There are 6, 10, and 13-night stays available. 6 night stays start on Sunday and end on Saturday, with 5 full days of riding and activities (Mon-Fri). There is a full afternoon of theoretical and practical orientation on day 1.Riding levelBeginner • Intermediate • Strong Intermediate • Advanced Centre-based You ride out from the same destination every day.
Details
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Riding levels
All riding abilities are catered for, from beginner through to advanced riders.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
Western saddles and bridles.
- Horse breed
Predominantly Quarter Horses, with Mustangs, Morgans, Belgians and crossbreeds. All are trained using Natural Horsemanship, and are excellent at building relationships with their humans.
- Accommodation
Comfortable ensuite guest rooms across two lodges, offering mountain or corral views, cosy Western-style decor, and a lively, family-run atmosphere.
- Pace
Variable depending on the terrain and guests’ preferences (the horses are trained to maintain the speed you set, regardless of others’ speed).
- Weight limit
A maximum of 110kg / 240lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
Approximately 20 guests per week. You’ll be split into smaller groups of 5-6 each day for riding.
- Minimum age
4 years of age
- Time in Saddle
You can choose to ride a half or full day, so anywhere between 3 to 6 hours per day.
- When to go
June to September each year.
- Languages
English
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- The price includes full board (with beer and wine at dinner)
- All ranch activities
- Horsemanship orientation
- Cattle work with guides and wranglers
- Daily scenic trail rides
- Beer & wine with dinner
- A mandatory 2.5% Montana tax
Excluded
- International or regional flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Transfers (aside from the complimentary times outlined)
- Other alcoholic beverages
- Staff gratuities
- Any admission/entrance fees & activities off the ranch
- Montana fishing license
Departure dates and prices
Ride length
• 7 days, 6 nights
• There are 6, 10, and 13-night stays available. 6 night stays start on Sunday and end on Saturday, with 5 full days of riding and activities (Mon-Fri). There is a full afternoon of theoretical and practical orientation on day 1.
Riding level
Beginner • Intermediate • Strong Intermediate • Advanced
Booking fee
A fixed Booking Fee of $106 USD
Payment plans
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Accommodation types
Single
Private accommodation for one guest (room, tent, or similar). A supplement may apply on departures where a sharing option is available.
Share
Willing to room share with the same gender or travelling with a companion.
Couple share
Sharing a bed with companion.
Non-rider
Sharing a room with a riding companion.
Per person
2026
June to September, 2026
Weekly 6-night stays from Sunday to Saturday.
The fun bits
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of $106 USD
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Please note
Solo travellers will be required to pay the single supplement price, unless one of two small main lodge rooms are available (can be a little noisy as located above the main dining area).
Itinerary
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
With so many trails and oodles of acres to explore it’s impossible to list them all. This is just a sample of what’s possible on this ranch riding vacation.
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Day 1: Arrival
Groundwork gamesWelcome to Montana, globetrotters! Today you’ll make your way to your hosts’ ranch and settle into your room before your orientation begins at 1:30pm. You’ll be shown around the lodge and saloon, and no doubt meet more members of the Wirth family, including their young children, who often play around the lodge.
Over by the barn, you’ll find the beautiful horses waiting. With a strong emphasis on Parelli-style natural horsemanship, the ranch’s philosophy is that ‘horses teach humans and humans teach horses’ – we just need to speak their language. Over the course of the afternoon, you’ll be guided through a series of groundwork games designed to foster trust, communication, respect and partnership between horse and rider.
A family-style communal dinner will be served for everyone – guests, wranglers, kids, hosts – in the lodge at 6:30pm, then you can sit back and watch the stars come out. -
Days 2-6
Flexible saddle hoursYour entire ranch experience will be tailored to your desires. Each day you get to choose which activities you wish to partake in, with rides and equestrian workshops offered after breakfast and lunch. Sometimes everyone joins in to move cattle, other times you’ll head out for a full day ride and eat lunch on the way. There are acres upon acres of countryside to explore, from the sprawling fields by the creek to the windswept ridges of the mountains. You’ll ride independently and go at the speed of your choosing – if two people want to canter, one person wants to trot and two people want to walk, the horses are trained to be happy to leave, stay, be alone, and go at the requested pace. Hallelujah!
The wranglers regularly bring in cattle to work the horses and give guests the chance to learn to work with the herd. The cattle are bred and trained for rodeos, so they’re quick, agile and great fun.
The two Belgian Draft horses will happily give you a wagon ride, or even a ‘driving lesson’.
Try your hand at equestrian games such as barrel racing and horse soccer, or learn roll-backs and western-style moves. Horsemanship and liberty lessons are also on offer.
For families, there is a children’s riding program that allows parents to head off on longer, more adventurous rides while the youngsters and their ponies have fun with another team of wranglers.
Riding guests can squeeze in roping lessons, archery, skeet shooting, hiking, fishing and history talks before dinner. Non-riders will be able to fill their whole days with these activities and more.
There is no evening program – make yourself at home and spend the nights however you please.
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Day 7: Depart
Non-riding dayAfter a delicious breakfast, guests check out and depart on Saturday morning. Check-out is at 11am.
*With so many activities, trails and places to visit, it is impossible to list them all. This is just a sample of what is possible on this ranch riding vacation.
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Non-rider activities
While horse riding is the main activity at the ranch, it certainly isn’t the only thing to do. You can take a morning or afternoon off and try something new.
Ever tried your hand at roping? You’ll have the chance to learn on the ground and, if you have the skill and the desire, your hosts may even teach you how to rope from the back of a horse.
If you have the curiosity, why not try your hand at driving a team? Star and Sid are a working team of Belgian Draft Horses used for feeding hay all winter long. Your hosts are adept at showing and explaining how it’s done, and keeping everything safe while you learn. If driving the team doesn’t interest you, you can still ride in the wagon!For the keen fishermen, Little Prickly Pear Creek runs directly through the ranch and is a beautiful fly fishing spot (keep in mind, you will have to purchase a fishing license beforehand in Helena). By request, your hosts can also teach archery and shooting.
There are many walking and hiking trails around the ranch, plus a hot tub, and a saloon complete with a pool table. The creek is also perfect for swimming.
Transfer information
The closest airport to fly into is Helena, MT and complimentary transfers to and from Helena are available at set times for Sunday arrivals and Saturday departures only – see below.
Pick up from the airport in Helena on Sunday is at 11am. If you choose to fly in this day, please ensure you leave yourself enough time to collect luggage etc and be ready for pick up. If you have arrived the day prior and stayed in Helena that evening, pick up from your hotel will be between 10.15 – 10.45am.
The transfer back to Helena will depart the ranch at 11am on Saturday morning. Should you wish to book flights home today, please book these for after 1:30pm to give yourself enough time to check in.
Self drive is also an option, and guests are encouraged to arrive between 12 midday and 1pm on the Sunday afternoon. Orientation begins at 1:30pm on Sunday, so please ensure you arrive before this time.
Please note
Transfers to/from Helena outside of these complimentary times are available for $175 USD per person round trip.
Transfers to/from Great Falls are available for $225 USD per person round trip.
Accommodation
You’ll be the guests of the Wirth family, fifth-generation Montana ranchers who live, work and teach (and play, in the grandkids’ case!) on the ranch. You’ll have clean, comfortable, spacious bedrooms with handmade, Western-style decor and furnishings, natural gas fireplaces and ensuites. There are 2 guest buildings, both with 4 guest rooms. The Upper Building is attached to the guest laundry facility and has a view of the mountains and fields. The Lower Building has air conditioning, and overlooks the horse corrals. Please note, as the ranch is home to young children, the communal areas are often ‘decorated’ with toys, and the main lodge is a hive of activity! If you’re seeking solitude during your free time, the best option is your room.
Tack
Western saddles and bridles
Reviews
Sierra P
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
Stories from the saddle
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