THE RANCH

Our Ranch is surrounded by Western history. Time moves slowly here on the reservation, and many things have remained unchanged for 200 years.
We have run over 300 mother cows on more than 5000 acres, that still show the wagon ruts of the old Bozeman Trail.
If still alive, our neighbors would be Plenty Coups, the Crow Chief who became chief of all Indian tribes. And, Will James, the famous cowboy artist and author, rode these hills with Grandpa Blackmore and chased wild mustangs.
From The Ranch headquarters, you can view most of The Ranch, which extends to the mountain top.

On The Ranch, every beautiful season has its own special work waiting. In early Spring, there is calving. When the snow melts and wildflowers bloom, it will be branding time. In the summer, there is tall grass, cowboy campouts and cattle to move. Later, when the air is crisp and leaves turn golden, the roundups begin. Our Winter season offers real quiet and quality time - working outside or sitting by a warm fire - depending on what is wanted we offer lesser rates (depends on guest demands).

We are thankful to be here, and proud to share a lifestyle01 that has existed for generations.

What we do everyday, is what you will do when you are here. We are a family owned and operated working cattle ranch in South Central Montana. We feel very priveleged to still be able to make our living ranching & cowboying, the old fashioned way, in some of the most beautiful country in the world.

We are on the Crow Reservation, and you will experience some Native American influence on our way of life here. We are located near the Chief Plenty Coups Museum, the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Preserve, Custer's National Battlefield, Yellowtail Dam, Bighorn River, the Cody Wyoming Museum, and, we are not far from Yellowstone National Park.

We feel honored to share this rare lifestyle with a few special guests each summer. If your idea of a getaway vacation involves sun, dust, sweat, hard work on horseback, lots of laughs, a cowboy prank or two, and riding free across the open plains and mountains, in "Big Sky Country," give us a holler, we'd love to have you.

Good cowboy style01 home cooking is served up 3 times a day... any suggestions?

ACTIVITIES

You will have your own cow horse, and will be horseback most days. There is plenty of cattle work, including gathering, roundups, cattle drives, brandings and doctoring. There is feeding and other regular chores. There are occasional days off haying & fencing.

In addition to the necessary ranch routine, there are many ways to tailor your vacation for you. There will be campfires, pack trips, and overnight campouts - up in the Pryor Mountains, and sometimes up in the Castle Rock Gap, where the Indian legends says the "little people" live. There is beautiful scenery and wildlife on The Ranch, and plenty of time for you to just get on your horse and ride. You may want to do some target shooting. If you want a relaxing lazy vacation, there are less demanding activities that anyone can enjoy.

This year we will have a large riding arena, which will allow for some brushing up on your Western skills. You may want to learn to rope, or get in on some natural horsemanship (riding and training) techniques. We can help you with practice, or give demonstrations while you are here. We try to have ranch guest rodeos. (not always available)

If you would like to have a vacation timed with an officially sponsored seminar, we plan to have organized clinics each year, so check with us for clinic schedules in advance.

Topics include:
Natural Horsemanship, Colt Breaking, and Ranch Roping.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Not far from The Ranch is Chief Plenty Coups State Park and Museum, Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Range, Custer Battlefield, and swimming, boating and fishing at Yellowtail Dam and Bighorn Lake (Montana's little Grand Canyon). We usually end up going into town for supplies once a week, and Double Spear Ranch guests. Yellowstone National Park is an excellent overnight off-ranch trip. Cody, Wyoming is on the way and has some of the best museums and shopping in the West.

Special Events.....Memorable Experiences

June (third weekend):
  Custer's Last Stand Battle Re-enactment

August (third weekend):
  Crow Fair - Pow Wow and Rodeo

August:
  Mountain Man Rendezvous