Description
Montana is a magical place in the summer. The rivers are cool, the air is crisp, and the sun feels good on your face. At 5000ft in elevation, our new ranch hosts the best of Montana’s weather. The 520 acres sit at the base of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest allowing guests to explore the mountains by horseback, fish for trout in cascading streams, hike to see the bountiful wildlife, or follow a mule train for overnight stays in a mountain cabin. There is enough time to do it all.
Horseback riding is what the ranch is known for. There are 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 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.
The ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Native Americans who used it as a hunting ground. By the late 1800s, the United States of America claimed primary ownership of the area and men began staking out their claim on the land. The ranch assumed the name “S Lazy 4 Bar” in 1890, which was one of the earliest brands in Montana. The land later became the Middle Fork Cattle Company and was used to buy, sell and raise cattle and horses. The business eventually developed into a hunting and recreation business and in 1904 the owners procured a hotel license, as they planned to serve meals and become a guest facility. It has been a guest ranch ever since.
