Yellowstone Guest Ranch Montana USA Just over 10 miles from the gates of Yellowstone National Park in a mountain valley along the Cedar Creek lies this charming Guest Ranch. Stay at Montana’s very first dude ranch. Classic dude ranch adventures await, including horseback riding in the Montana wilderness, sport shooting, archery and hiking. Guest Ranch Short Getaway Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Ranch near Gardiner Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Transfer: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Riders: Min 1 riders Max 18 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 18 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Minimum Deposit: 50 %

Tax: 15 %    

Rates Note:

There is a mandatory 15% tax-deductible donation where 100% of the proceeds go to the preservation of this historic ranch

Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfers can be arranged on request from Bozeman Airport for an extra fee. However, we recommend renting a car to explore Yellowstone National Park before or after your stay.

As Montana’s very first dude ranch (established in 1898), the Ranch holds a special place in the state’s history, as well as that of dude ranching and the western experience. 
The first owners started offering guided trips in the surrounding wilderness and eventually opened up cabins, followed by the construction of the expansive lodge between 1914 and 1920. The original owners drew guests to the rustic western experience until the sale of the ranch in the mid-1930s. It continued to run as a dude ranch until 1939.
During its heyday, the ranch attracted illustrious guests and became a center point of western architecture, craftsmanship and furniture. Ownership of the ranch changed hands until it was ultimately acquired by the USDA Forest Service from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to preserve and manage it in the 1990s. The Custer Gallatin National Forest has since stewarded modern preservation efforts.

This unique package will be the first to bring dude ranch guests back to the historical property in an effort to continue the preservation and restoration of the Ranch.

You can choose between a 3-night or 6-night stay.
The package includes ranch activities (horseback riding, sport shooting and archery), evening entertainment and a White-Water rafting excursion by Flying Pig Adventure Company as well as a Yellowstone Hot Springs visit.
Guests staying at the ranch for 6 nights will also be offered a complimentary tour of the Yellowstone National Park by Yellowstone Forever.

Each half-day ride is about 1.5 to 2 hours long. Full day rides are about 4-5 hours including a picnic lunch on the trail.
You ride on varied terrain from wild sage covered meadows to mountainous pine-lined trails. 

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes 

Day 1 (Sunday):
2:00 PM — Arrivals
6:00 PM — Welcome Reception & Orientation
7:30 PM — Dinner followed by an introduction about the history of the ranch

Day 2 (Monday):
8:30 AM — Breakfast
10:00 AM — Morning Riding
12:30 PM — Lunch
2:00 PM — Afternoon Riding
3:00 PM — Afternoon Activity (E-Biking)
6:00 PM — Happy Hour
7:30 PM — Dinner

Day 3 (Tuesday):
8:30 AM — Breakfast
DAY TRIPS Depart for River Rafting on the Yellowstone (8:30 AM) or All Day Ride (9:00 AM)
3:00 PM — Yellowstone Hot Springs OR Hiking
6:00 PM — Happy Hour
7:30 PM — Dinner

Day 4 (Wednesday):
6:45 AM — Shuttle departs for Yellowstone Tour (Breakfast & Lunch served on Tour) - only for those on the 6-night tour
5:15 PM — Return to the Ranch
6:00 PM — Happy Hour
7:30 PM — Dinner followed by Orientation for New Arrivals (for the 3-night package)

Day 5 (Thursday):
8:30 AM — Breakfast
10:00 AM — Morning Riding
11:00 AM — Morning Activity (Sport Shooting)
12:30 PM — Lunch
2:00 PM — Afternoon Riding
3:00 PM — Afternoon Activity (E-Biking)
6:00 PM — Happy Hour
7:30 PM — Dinner followed by Special Guest Speaker

Day 6 (Friday):
8:00 AM — Breakfast
DAY TRIPS Depart for River Rafting on the Yellowstone (8:30 AM) or All Day Ride (9:00 AM)
3:00 PM — Yellowstone Hot Springs OR Hiking
6:00 PM — Happy Hour
7:30 PM — Dinner

Day 7 (Saturday):
8:00 AM — The Last Ride and “Happy Trails” Champagne Brunch
11:00 AM — Check Out

                                                 Gardiner area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	34	38	47	57	67	77	87	85	75	60	43	33
Average Low Temperature (°F)	15	18	25	31	39	46	53	51	43	34	23	16
Average High Temperature (°C)	1	3	9	14	19	25	30	29	24	16	6	1
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-9	-8	-4	0	4	8	11	11	6	1	-5	-9
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	2	1	3	3	6	5	4	4	3	3	3	3

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Since most of Yellowstone National Park lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet (1829 m) the weather can change quickly. Expect big temperature swings, rain, or snow during every month of the year. No matter when you visit, bring a warm jacket, rain gear, and lots of layers.

Spring and Fall
Daytime temperatures range from 30°F to the 60°F (0°C to 16°C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits (-5°C to -20°C). Snow is common in the spring and fall with regular accumulations of 12 inches (30.5 cm) in a 24-hour period.

Summer
Daytime temperatures are often around 70°F (21°C) and occasionally 80°F (27°C) at lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.

Winter
Temperatures range from zero to 20°F (-18°C to -7°C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures are common, especially at night and at higher elevations. The record low temperature is -66°F (-54°C). Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is 150 inches (381 cm) a year, it is not uncommon for higher elevations to get twice that amount.

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Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Lodging will be in the historic log cabins with cozy bedding, Navajo rugs, and beautiful appointments.
The cabins can be fitted with either a king or two twins. There are two, 2-bedroom cabins that can have a king or two twins in one bedroom and twin bunk beds in the other.

Because the ranch had been closed since 1939, there is no modern plumbing or electricity in the cabins. Each cabin has its own glamping style bathhouse located directly behind the cabin and they are also what supply electricity to the cabins. 

Please, note that there is minimal to no cell service on the ranch, however we do have Starlink wifi all over the main ranch area and it works wonderfully.

Room Occupancy
Single occupancy is only possible in the One-Bedroom Cabin. If you are willing to share a room but we are unable to find a roommate for you, the single supplement fee applies.
Some cabins can accommodate up to 4 people.


Meals
All meals are included on this trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

Meals during will range from Cowboy Cookouts on the front lawn, cocktails and dinners enjoyed in the expansive, historic lodge; to sack lunches out on the trail.
Most meals will be plated, however breakfast and lunch may feature some buffet style options.
We incorporate local flavors into all of our meals to really give our guests a taste of Yellowstone Country.

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate special dietary needs or requests with advance notice. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
 

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Mostly Quarter Horse type, with a few crosses
Pace:		| Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 5 out of 5)    All riding level
Age:		Min 5
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 18 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 18

Riding Level
The ranch accepts participants of all riding levels. If there is a lot of riders with different riding level, we might split into two riding groups. We always have to ride to the ability of the least experienced rider in a ride group.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.

(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).



The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.

ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

 

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.