Montana’s Big Sky Ride

SAMPLE Week - What to Expect from Our Montana Dude Ranch Vacation Packages:

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURES – BUILD YOUR OWN MONTANA DUDE RANCH VACATION PACKAGES!

What makes this ride different than so many other ranches is that there isn’t a set schedule. This is YOUR vacation so YOU tell us what you want to do every day. Riding is our specialty, but we have lots of activities for the non-riders too!

You’ll start your day with a hearty Montana breakfast! Have dietary restrictions? Not an issue at all, our chef has you covered! At breakfast Kurt or Melissa will sit down with you have a cup a coffee and ask what you want to do?

If you choose to ride, do you want a half or full day of riding? Where do you want to go? To a mountain lake, a climb to the top of the mountain with a top notch view or stay flat following a creek.

We run three trucks and trailers, ride in Yellowstone National Park, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and Custer-Gallatin National Forest! One thing is guaranteed if you come for the horses and riding we’ve got you covered!

If you decide on a full day of riding (or a trip into the park) you will choose what kind of sandwich you want and fill your complimentary sandwich bag with healthy and not-so-healthy items and have lunch out on the trail. If you choose a half day of riding or have other options in mind we always have lunch at the ranch!

We also offer guided hiking right from the ranch or you can Fly fish in the Taylor Fork creek on the ranch or across the road from the ranch in the Gallatin River. If you prefer the quiet, secluded enjoyment of your own private cabin porch with a good book and glass of wine or cup of coffee you can do that too!

Pursue whatever appeals to you among the activities at our Montana dude ranch or choose off ranch activities such as whitewater rafting, zip lining, kayaking, rock wall climbing, mountain biking and so much more - just a few minutes away! This precise location is known for some of the best outdoor activities, wildlife viewing, photography opportunities and tours in the world and it is all right outside your door!

Before nightfall, you’re summoned to appetizers on the patio and another delicious home-cooked meal in the Taylor Fork Lodge by the gentle clang of the dinner bell. Then the night is yours for a soak in the hot tub, conversation around the nightly campfire, a quiet walk to the corrals to visit the horses, a game of horse shoes, or whatever your mood demands. One thing is for sure, you will have a view of more stars than you’ve ever seen before – the clear skies and the high elevation give you a unique look at the heavens, Montana style.

Sunday

This is the day people arrive. Check in time is after 4PM, we will show you your cabin, let you get settled and do a group tour.

Appetizers/Happy Hour is at 6:30pm on the patio. The ranch is BYOB. Love a glass of wine at dinner, beer after a long ride, or whiskey on the rocks? Do it! You are on vacation!

Dinner is at 7 and is served buffet style. Our food is what you would find at a ranch with a touch of fine dining. We are all about presentation, quality, and quantity. You will not go hungry at the Covered Wagon Ranch!

Dessert is plated and tastes even better with a cup of coffee! After dinner & dessert, every nigh we have a fire outside the main lodge. You decided to skip dessert? Well you have a second chance at smores or join Braxton and fill up on Hershey chocolate-because we all know he will be there!

Afterwards, take a walk to the barn with us to do “critter check” or walk on your own to see the horses (they love the attention). Go fly fishing, play a game of horse shoes, soak in the hot tub or continue drinking and mingling with other guests around the campfire. Whatever YOU want to do, remember it is YOUR vacation! One thing is for sure, you will have a view of more stars than you’ve ever seen before. The clear skies and the high elevation give you a unique look at the heavens, Montana style!

Monday

Coffee is on at 6AM and breakfast is served between 7:30-8:30. If you are an early riser and the rest of your family aren’t, come join Kurt in the lodge, have a cup of coffee and sit by the cozy fire. Crew meeting/breakfast is each morning from 7-7:30 in the Cafe. The lodge is your living room, a place to relax with a good book, coffee and a warm fire!

Breakfast is to order. There are always hot and cold cereals, breads, a fresh baked pastry and fresh fruit, plus a specialty item each day, such as eggs Benedict. We also always have French toast or pancakes, eggs, and bacon or sausage, just tell us what you want! More about our food can be found on our Dining page.

This is the time Kurt makes his way throughout the room asking everyone what they want to do for the day. Hiking, fly fishing, simply relaxing, or riding.

Mondays we only offer short full day rides due to not getting out until 10:30ish. Tuesday-Friday we offer morning (two hours) and all-day rides range from 3-6 hours in length (9-4 is our longest ride). Return guests usually have an idea of where they want to go, if you have no idea, Kurt is incredible about choosing a ride that you will enjoy. More about riding is found on our Horseback Riding page.

8:45AM – if riding, we meet at the barn for orientation (only new guests) and get you setup on your horse. Rides generally go out between 10:00-10:30 on Mondays due to getting stirrups adjusted and riders matched up with their horses. Tuesday-Friday rides generally get out between 9:00-9:30. We keep our groups small ranging from 4-6 people. All our rides are guided, and we do offer lessons in the arena on Mondays at 10:00AM for those that want to do that. We do not offer the choice to go out on a trail ride and come back to ride in the arena after.

1:00PM – Lunch is to order unless you are on a full day ride in which you would have filled out a lunch card (what kind of sandwich you want) and filled your complementary lunch bag with goodies that are healthy (and not-so-healthy). There is no lunch available on Mondays due to all full day rides.

2-6:30PM – this is YOU time. Some people go to Big Sky to do an off-ranch activity, some are still on a ride, some sit on their front porch and drink, some read, some fish, some play in the river/creek, some hike and some sleep!

6:30PM-Appetizers and Happy Hour. Monday’s dinner we do a Margaritas Meet and Greet! We serve Margaritas, music is playing and it is a chance to interact with other guests and our crew. It is followed by a cookout on the patio. Monday night is accompanied by a camp fire and your choice of evening activities around the ranch.

Tuesday and Wednesday

These days are very similar in you choosing what you want to do that day and dinner is served buffet style. We love to play board games in the lodge Wednesday evenings!

Thursday

Day-time meals and activities are similar to the other days of the week.

Thursday night we drink beer and eat pizza! We have Pranzo all’aperto (dining outside) where our chef prepares Artisan wood-fired pizza and serves tastings of local Big Sky Brews.

We bump dinner up an hour early (6PM) so if anyone wants to go to Music on the Mountain in Big Sky or the West Yellowstone Rodeo, they can. The Rodeo is finished middle of August and music the first week of September. You do not have to go to either event, some people like to relax and enjoy the quietness, once again whatever YOU want to do!

Friday

Day-time meals and activities are similar to the other days of the week, including another great day for riding! If you signed up for a full week, this will be your last full day, so soak up all the beauty of Montana.

On Friday night, we have a Cookout at our rec hall (weather permitting). We begin the night with appetizers and live music from a local band. This give you a chance to mingle with other guests, play a round of horseshoes, lawn games, or a game of pool in the rec hall while we prepare your steaks, gourmet burgers, Mountain Sausages and hotdogs over the grille.

After dinner we continue the night with dessert or toast marshmallows and have ‘smores over the fire. Grab your dance partner and show off your moves on the Covered Wagon dance floor.

One favorite activity at the cookout is learning to use a rope and roping a “dummy steer.”

Saturday

Morning is the day of departure. We have grab and go style breakfast, shed tears, check-out, make reservations for the following year and say our goodbyes. Check out time is 10AM and then we do it all over again!