Little Belt Mountains Ride Montana USA Explore the surrounding area of the Judith River Headwaters and the Little Belt Mountains & ride where the "cowboy artist" Charlie Russell once rode. The 520 acres ranch is located at the base of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest allowing guests to explore the mountains by horseback, fish for trout in cascading streams, hike to see the bountiful wildlife, or take guided tours into the National Forest. Horseback riding is what the Ranch is known for. We have horses suitable to every level of experience. You'll traverse the wide-open prairies, ride along—and through—the Judith River and explore the mountains of the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest. For more experienced riders, trotting and loping can be incorporated into rides where the terrain allows. For those who would like to get more comfortable in the saddle, lessons are available for an additional charge. There are plenty of activities from archery to hiking to shooting. For the more adventurous, take a UTV tour to the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest and hike to the nearby caves. Or visit nearby Sapphire Village for a taste of the local culture. The nearby mine is the only place where the precious Yogo Sapphires can be found. Guest Ranch Short Getaway Family Vacation Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Ranch near Sapphire Village Airport: Great Falls International Airport Transfer: -- Riders: Min 1 riders Max 8 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 40 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Tax: $2   Tax2: 15 %    

Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfers are not provided. We suggest renting a car.

 

Guests are welcome to do activities day of arrival and departure. We ride twice daily except for Sundays when the horses have the afternoon off. Generally, our morning rides go out around 9:00AM and afternoon rides around 2:00PM.
If you would like to ride on your day of arrival, we suggest arriving at the ranch no later than 1:00PM that day.
 
Rides range from about 1-3 hours depending on where we're headed. Our riding will be across wide open meadows and up mountainous pine-lined trails, many rides also include river crossings.

New guests will take a slow walking ride first, and then can move onto more advanced rides with trotting and loping if you demonstrate you can safely control your horse.

Whether you’re an experienced rider, or you’ve never been on a horse; we have the riding and horses for you. Our wranglers will match you with an appropriate horse for your skill level.
Ride in mountain terrain, lope across wide open fields and traverse the Judith River all from the back of your trusty steed. You might ride back and forth across the River, to the local Elk Preserve or up to Porcupine Ridge for a breakfast cookout. With our neighboring 2.8 million acres of the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest, there's endless trails to explore under the Big Sky.

Sometimes, guests get the opportunity do move cattle for a couple of hours.



Non Riding Activities

Fishing
You are welcome to fish on your own at the ranch. We have a small selection of basic fly fishing equipment available to borrow. We recommend you bring your own equipment if you are interested in fishing. The first mile of the Judith River flows through the Ranch.
A Montana State Fishing License is required. You can purchase a fishing license for two consecutive days, ten consecutive days or the whole season. Pricing varies depending on residency.

Guided UTV Tours
Discover the varied terrain around the ranch and visit the historic Hoover Cabin. UTV Tours include a trip up to the historic Hoover Cabin and the nearby Yogo Mine. The mine is the only place where the precious Yogo Sapphire can be found. Prospector Jake Hoover discovered them in the late 1800s. 
We also have access to the 2.8 million acres of National Forest land around the ranch, where you might see moose, antelope, elk and mountain lions.

Fat Tire Bikes
See the surrounding Montana countryside from a different saddle on our Fat Tire E-Bikes. Peddle on your own or get some assistance from the high-powered motor capable of 20 mph speeds.
Ride along the Yogo Creek to the river crossing. The Yogo Creek is named after the valuable Yogo Sapphire that can only be found in this area. You can also take the road to the middle fork of the Judith River, and explore the surrounding landscape of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Children must be at least 100 lbs and 5'2" to ride the e-bikes.

Shooting & Archery
Practice your marksmanship with our safe and fun sport shooting and archery programs. Clay pigeon and target shooting also available.

Hiking
The ranch borders the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest, with exceptional nature to explore all around. See the wildlife and landscape Montana has to offer, and explore the nearby caves for some spelunking.

                                                Sapphire Village area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	35	40	45	54	63	72	80	80	68	58	43	37
Average Low Temperature (°F)	9	14	18	25	33	40	43	43	34	27	17	11
Average High Temperature (°C)	2	5	7	12	17	22	27	26	20	15	6	3
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-13	-10	-8	-4	0	5	6	6	1	-3	-8	-11
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	3	3	6	5	8	8	5	5	5	3	4	4

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Generally, summer temperatures at the ranch will see highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. At 5,000’ in elevation, we offer some of the best of Montana’s summers, but unexpected weather can always happen. Before your trip, we recommend you check the weather forecast for Hobson, MT and plan accordingly. Always pack rain gear and plenty of layers for the unexpected!

Ranch attire is casual, but if you wish to dress up for evenings, western wear is appropriate. We always suggest dressing in layers as temperatures will vary throughout the day.
Below is a list of suggested packing items:

o   Clothing
T-shirts/Sleeveless tops/Comfortable shirts
Long sleeve shirts – we highly recommend riding in long sleeve shirts to block the sun
Comfortable western or denim shirts
Bike Shorts / Tights / Underclothing – To minimize possible chafing from riding
Jeans/Long Pants – Pairs for riding and pairs for evening/daytime wear
Shorts
Outerwear – Jackets, vests and layers are suggested
Hoodies or pullovers
Rain Jacket (we do have limited slickers available to borrow in the barn)
Bathing suit – For the hot tub


o   Footwear
Walking/Hiking boots
Riding/Cowboy Boots – Boots with a slight heel are the safest if you do not have riding boots
Sandals/Flip flops – For the hot tub area


o   Accessories
Cowboy Hat (w/Stampede String) and/or Ball Cap
Gloves for riding
A beanie or warm hat for chilly evenings
Riding Helmet (recommended, but not required; we do have helmets for lend)


o   Additional Items
Sun Protection Items – Sunglasses, Lip balm, Sunscreen, After-sun moisturizer
Camera
Plug in converter – If you are traveling from outside the USA
Reusable plastic or stainless-steel water bottle
Lightweight backpack – allows you to carry your essentials around the ranch
Flashlight or headlamp
Insect repellant
Personal fly-fishing equipment for the avid fisherman

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

Description
You stay in a historic guest ranch that dates back to the 1800s in central Montana. At 5000 feet in elevation, it enjoys the best of Montana’s weather with a host of activities for your family and friends to enjoy!
The ranch is divided into different buildings:
- The lodge is where guests can gather for meals in the dining room and relax in the large living area.
- The historic red barn, built in 1902, is great fun for evening entertainment and group activities like square dancing or charades! Plus it can be set up for basketball and badminton.

Your package includes accommodation in lodge rooms but it is possible to upgrade to a cabin or even the ranch house.
Each room is equipped with basic toiletries, a hair dryer and free wi-fi. There are no televisions in the rooms.

Guests can enjoy our glass-enclosed indoor hot tub and soothe tired muscles from a day of adventuring or to warm up on chillier evenings!

There are no guest laundry facilities on the ranch, except in the Ranch House, however, our housekeeping team would be happy to do a separate cycle for you for a small gratuity. Please arrange this with ranch staff.

Please, note there is no cell service at the ranch, but we do have wi-fi available in all guest areas (public areas and guest rooms). If your cell phone is capable of wi-fi calling, we recommend you set it up prior to your trip.
For emergency calls, our staff can assist with the use of a landline.

Room Options



Buffalo Rooms (Lodge)
Our main lodge has 3 guest rooms called the Buffalo Rooms. Two rooms are fitted with king beds and the remaining room has a king and twin bed



Historic Cabins - upgrade
Our historic cabins offer spectacular views of the ranch and surrounding landscape with fireplaces, living areas and wet bars or a kitchenette depending on the selected cabin.

Ranch House - upgrade
For larger groups or families, our Ranch House is the perfect fit. It has four bedrooms (two king bedrooms and two queen bedrooms) and three bathrooms and comfortably sleeps up to eight people.

Room Occupancy
Single occupancy is only possible in the Buffalo rooms and the Homesteader Cabin. If you are willing to share a room but we are unable to find a roommate for you, the single supplement fee applies.


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

Gather in the Lodge dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Start your day with homemade breakfast classics: pancakes and waffles; biscuits and gravy; breakfast burritos, with lighter, continental style options also available.
Before dinner, gather in the Lodge for cocktails and then dine on steak, pork chops, pastas, fresh trout and more—with a roaring fire in the wood-burning fireplace on chilly evenings.

Our Liquor License application with the State of Montana is currently pending. Our current alcohol policy is BYOB. Once our liquor license is approved, we will have beer and wine available for your purchase.

Dietary Restrictions
Our kitchen is happy to 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:		Mainly Quarter Horse type horses, but we do have some mules and draft crosses
Pace:		Moderate Approx 2-6 hours in the saddle per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    From to Novice to Intermediate and higher
Age:		Min 5
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 8 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 40

Riding
Ride group sizes do vary depending on the type of ride (slow or fast) and the number of guests we have. Generally we try to keep around 6 or so guests per wrangler. Slow rides will generally be larger in group size than fast rides.
The rides are broken down into slow and fast rides, not necessarily by riding ability, but riders do have to be able to pass a fast ride test/lope check before going on a fast ride. Some of the rides also contain some tougher terrain than others, so terrain can also dictate the difficulty of a ride.

Child Policy
Per our insurance, children must be at least 5 years old to ride. After completing a slow ride, guests 8 years and older may test to qualify for faster riding (trotting and loping on parts of the trail designated by the wrangler and the terrain). Archery is available for children 5 years and older. .22 caliber shooting is available for those 8 years and older. Clay pigeon shooting is for those 16 years and older. Children must be at least 100 lbs and 5'2" to ride the e-bikes.
The ranch is the perfect vacation for families to enjoy the activities, atmosphere and amenities together. Please note that we do not offer childcare or a children’s program.

Pet Policy
We do not allow pets on the ranch.

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.