Horseback Riding Vacations in Montana

Montana: “Big Sky Country”

Montana is called “Big Sky Country” because of its abundance of wide-open spaces and skies that stretch uninterrupted to the horizon.

From the biggest national parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, to its mountain ranges, lakes and sprawling prairies, Montana is always framed by the overarching sky.

With an area of 380.838 km², it is the fourth largest state in the United States and, at the same time, the third least densely populated. It is located in the northwestern part of the country, bordering Canada to the north.

This vast state has a diverse geography and 60% of its territory comprises a large prairie, while the Rocky Mountains stretch along the central-western region.

The Great Plains are dominated by rolling hills, wide river valleys, and acres of grasslands that cover the landscape.

In these wide open spaces, we can find Glacier National Park – a vast nature reserve on the border with Canada.

Near the Big Belt Mountains is Helena, the capital of Montana. Due to its rich deposits of gold and silver, the city has embraced its interest in mineral production and processing. That's why Montana is also known as the “Treasure State”.

Montana was the scene where Native Americans made a last effort to defend their land. In 1876, Native American forces defeated the U.S. Army troops of Lt. Col. Armstrong Custer.

A mix of modern and traditional cultures, which makes it the right place where you can experience the history of the American frontier and its authentic small towns.

Horse riding in Montana

Of the many ways to explore Montana, horseback riding is the most traditional one.

Horse riding is more than just an outdoor activity, it enables us to reconnect with our essence, with the natural environment that we explore on our horseback trips and with the local people we visit. And all this at our own pace.

Montana means an opportunity to enjoy this return to ourselves with all our senses.

Montana continues to be a pristine natural paradise, with snow-covered peaks, immense forests and alpine lakes, dotted with ghost towns of the Old West, Native American reservations and progressive urban communities.

Here we can appreciate the unique charm and beauty of its National Parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, where we can come face to face with Montana´s wildlife. They are not the only ones. In fact, Montana has nine National Park areas in all.

You will enjoy many spectacular Montana scenes that you have probably seen in Western films.

Some equestrian tourism outfitters in Montana

On a typical Montana ranch, you can experience the real Old West. All you need to do is saddle up and enjoy the ride. You will get a glimpse of a working ranch everyday life, including some rodeo activities.

What follows is a list of dude ranches where you can enjoy an authentic horseback riding vacation and unleash your inner cowboy.

Rocking Z Guest Ranch

In the heart of Montana, just 30 minutes from Helena, Rocking Z Guest Ranch is owned and operated by Zack and Patty Wirth, fifth-generation Montana ranchers.

In 2000, Zack and Patty started the guest ranch with two lodges, making their dream into reality.

Here at the Rocking Z, they practice Natural Horsemanship, learned from the Parelli Foundation. The fundamentals are taught through Pat Parelli's Seven Games. These games are taught on the ground and applied at all times around the horse.

Ranch activities

The main activity on the ranch is Horse Riding.

Riding here varies according to the rider’s desires and skills.

More experienced riders have opportunities to work with and ride a variety of horses to suit their desired goals. Their well-trained horses go where they are told, when they are told to and at exactly the speed that is requested of them.

Most of his horses are Quarter Horses but also Mustangs, Belgians, Morgans, and many cross breeds. All were trained using Natural Horsemanship methods.

With the open fields by the creek and the open ridges of the mountains, there are thousands of acres of land to ride over.

If what you are looking for is to learn to ride, you will discover that with a series of professional techniques and a few hours a day with your horse it will be very easy for you. They offer riding lessons and games with the horses.

Natural Horsemanship helps build a strong horse-rider relationship.

Other activities include cattle working, fishing, archery or hiking.

For more information you can go to their website: www.rockingz.com.

Hidden Hollow Hideaway Cattle

Located two hours from Yellowstone National Park, the Flynn family ranch offers guests several activities, from wildlife watching or fishing to horseback riding through the mountains and meadows of the Rocky Mountains.

The Flynn family roots trace back to the 1860's when their ancestors followed the gold rush to Diamond City, a once booming ghost town located on the northern side of their present day ranch.

The ranch has grown from the small farm in Poverty Flats to a large ranch of around 15,000 acres.

Ranch activities

Horse riding is a daily activity for all guests, you may ride all day or part of a day, and some rides include lunch.

At the ranch, they have horses for all skill levels, from beginners to accomplished riders. Contact with the horse is essential. You will look after your horse, grooming, feeding and saddling him before the ride.

The Ranch has a herd of 220+ Red Angus cattle and you will have the possibility to help them move these cattle.

Round pen exercises and schooling of the young ranch horses can be observed frequently as their horses are trained for future ranch use.

Besides these equestrian activities, they organize historical tours, camera safaris and bird watching tours.

For more information please go to their website: www.flynnhideaway.com..

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

Nestled in an area overlooking Yellowstone National Park, this cowboy family works like their ancestors did 100 years ago.

This working horse ranch has been run by three generations of the Kelsey family and the sturdy, timeless 1920s era buildings are still in use at the ranch today.

More than 2 million acres of national forest surround this ranch sited at 7,000 feet, making it an ideal place to experience a world of contrasts.

Their horses and their riding options

The Ranch has 120 Appaloosa horses, a breed specifically chosen for stamina, sweet temperament, and suitability to mountain trekking.

Each horse was born, raised and trained at the ranch. These allow them to truly get to know each and every one of the horses, thus being able to assess what type of rider will fit best with them.

You can choose from half-day or all-day rides. Riders are grouped according to their experience.

The terrain doesn’t provide many opportunities for gallops, but the scenery, the horses and people will compensate for that. Days are spent riding up and down mountains, or through old forests where it is almost impossible to go on foot.

Obedient, ready and willing, you’re travelling companion – the Horse – will make you feel safe even when you come closer than expected to a bear, a usual dweller of this region.

In this ranch you will live the experience of riding in an unforgettable but safe adventure.

Kids program

They have riding activities for children encouraging independence, growth and fun.

For six-year-old children or up, there are riding lessons where children can learn the basics of riding or improve their skills. There are also 2-hour rides every day.

You can leave your little ones under age 5 with their watchful babysitting staff.

There are also specially designed offers for ages 13 or up, with experience, with horseback riding for a full day or for 2 days, camping one night near a lake or mountain stream.

In addition to equestrian programs, they offer a variety of outdoor activities. Those activities include games, hiking and swimming in a mountain lake, among others.

For more information please go to their website: www.ninequartercircle.com.

The Ranch at Rock Creek

Secluded in one of Montana’s most pristine valleys, they offer a cowboy vacation on an authentic 19th century homestead, any month of the year.

The land is 6,600 acres and has a maximum occupancy of 125 guests in 29 accommodations, balancing the Western adventure with luxurious amenities.

There is a wide variety of accommodations, whether you choose an original 19th-century barn, which was lovingly restored, a luxury cabin or a glamping canvas accommodation.

The Ranch offers customized, all-inclusive programs, allowing guests to enjoy all the ranch comforts and discover the wild side of Montana.

Guests have a wide range of daily activities to choose from – archery, fly fishing, hiking, and horse riding, of course!

Horseback riding at the Ranch

In all, 75 horses are available to guests at the ranch. Their herd is primarily comprised of Quarter horses, trained in western riding.

There are miles of trails for all riding levels. They organize small groups of riders to ensure the quality of their guiding service. You can explore the area in half-day or full-day rides.

Flat creekside trails are best for beginners while treks to peaks and rolling pine trails are enjoyed by intermediate to advanced riders.

The riding pace depends on the terrain where you ride and there are shorter trail rides for less experienced riders and children.

Their riding lessons are a great opportunity for beginners to build confidence and gain experience. As for intermediate riders, they can learn new techniques and embark on more challenging routes.

And if you want to feel like a real cowboy, roping lessons are available to guests of all ages. Guests will first learn the basics of building a loop and practice roping a dummy-steer. And you can also join the ranch team and discover all the cattle activities they have to offer.

For more information please go to their website: www.theranchatrockcreek.com.

Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch

Bonanza Creek is a cattle ranch operated by the Voldseth family, in the Castle and Crazy Mountains. The Voldseth family, which are the fourth and fifth generations living on this land still own and work the ranch and run 1500 head of cows on 25,000 acres.

They started in 1994 as a guest ranch, a new business that was so different from cattle ranching.

There is a wide variety of terrain to discover: large pastures, rocky and sage brushed filled hillsides, open country, steep climbs and descents, creek bottoms, hills and mountains.

Their very experienced wranglers will share their knowledge about the art of riding with adults of intermediate or advanced riding levels in full-week programs.

The Bonanza Creek horses are almost all Quarter Horses with a few Paints and Appaloosas sprinkled in for colour, and a few Draft Horse crosses for size.

These solid, hearty and sure-footed animals are the iconic horse of the American West. Many are former ranch horses and all are familiar with the terrain.

Horse riding options

They offer the following programs:

• Horseback riding: Every day you will enjoy a new horseback adventure. These rides will vary each day, depending on the weather, time of year, and riders' preferences and skills.
• Cabin vacations: Staying at one of their cabins, near the ranch, is a great way to getaway in the mountains of Montana, where you can go horseback riding, hiking or fishing.
• Cowgirl retreats: The horse’s interaction combined with positive coaching, somatic awareness, and Gestalt methodology helps the client examine their life and choices with focus on a positive future. A unique opportunity to enjoy horses, homemade meals and a special environment.

Hospitality, incredibly responsive horses, cattle work, tasty homemade cooking, comfortable cabins, loads of fun and adventure are just a few of the reasons guests come back to Bonanza Creek year after year.

For more information you can visit their website: bonanzacreekcountry.com.

In the state of Montana you can enjoy the magnificence of nature and the American West from the back of a horse. Explore the entire state, from historic battle fields to the natural wonders of all Montana’s Nature Parks, and if you do it on Horseback, Adventure is guaranteed.

Thinking about a horse riding holiday but don’t know how to book it?

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