Ride Overview
Explore the area dubbed “the most scenic 50 miles in the U.S.” by Teddy Roosevelt during three or six-night stays at Blackwater Creek Ranch.
Set along the banks of the scenic Shoshone River and Blackwater Creek, the ranch is just 15 miles from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Since 1915, Blackwater Creek Ranch has hosted guests from around the world amid the mountains of the Shoshone National Forest, where Blackwater Creek flows into the Shoshone River. Theodore Roosevelt once described the area as “the most scenic 50 miles in the U.S.”
This Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch will run from May 26 through September 28, 2024. Reservations must be 3 or 6 nights. 3-night stays will be Sunday to Wednesday, or Wednesday to Saturday. 6-night stays will be Sunday to Saturday.
Classic dude ranch adventures will include horseback riding and hiking in the Wyoming wilderness, archery and sport shooting, fly fishing the creek and river, as well as evening entertainment. AND a portion of the proceeds benefit the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch, where we hosted our very first Pop-Up Ranch!
***NOTE: This ride is quite technical due the the terrain. Most (if not all) of the riding walking and amazingly scenic.
Some highlights to look forward to during the week will include:
– For six-night stays only, a tour of the Yellowstone National Park
– Rafting on the Yellowstone River with Wyoming River Trips (available for 6 night stays and 3 night Sunday-Wednesday stays)
– Attending Cody Nite Rodeo (available for 6 night stays and 3 nights Wednesday-Saturday stays)
– On Saturday there will be a final ride at the ranch, “Happy Trails Brunch Ride,” to bid our guests farewell.
2026 Dates: May 24-Sept. 26, 2026 (6 night stays are Sunday-Saturday. 3 night stays are Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday)
Shoshone Cowgirls Week: Coming Soon!
Rates: 6 nights – Standard Cabin: $3,354.00 USD per person sharing. Single supplement: $520.00 USD
(1 or 2 bedroom cabin with private bath)
Deluxe Cabin: $3,873.00 USD per person sharing. Single supplement: $520.00 USD
(1 or 2 bedroom cabin with sitting area and private bath)
Ranch House : $4,391.00 USD per person
(2BR/1ba house will living room and full kitchen – 4 person minimum, sleeps up to 6)
3 nights – Standard Cabin: $1,851.00 USD per person sharing. Single supplement: $261.00 USD
Deluxe Cabin: $2,110.00 USD per person sharing. Single supplement: $261.00 USD
Ranch House: $2,369.00 USD per person, minimum 4 guests
Additional guests after the first 2 (for all cabins and the Ranch House): $1,592.00 USD for 3 Nights, $2,836.00 USD for 6 Nights
Included
- 3 or 6 nights accommodation
- All meals
- All riding
- All ranch activities (some variations based on 3 or 6 night stay)
- Use of pool, hot tub and rec room
- Special events and local tours (based on length of stay)
- Evening entertainment
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Transfers to/from the ranch
- Alcoholic beverages
- 15% Service Charge (paid at the time of final payment)
- 4.05% state tax (paid at the time of final payment)
Judy P.
I’m going to use the over used “trip of a lifetime” to describe this trip.
As a lifelong equestrian this was my first opportunity to ride in mountains. That was truly an experience, the views are breathtakingly incredible! I would say if you’ve any back or knee issues this ride would be a challenge. The rides up the mountains are easy enough, it’s that coming back down your knees may be screaming!
The staff at Blackwater Creek Ranch were very professional & courteous to our needs as well as our safety. Gen Mgr Kylee Cromer saw to everything, our cooks Michael & John Blue cooked incredible gourmet quality meals, our Wrangler Ellen Edgy had great stories and knowledge of the area which made the history of the area come to life.
This is grizzly country & we were even lucky enough to see one! Fortunately it was heading in the opposite direction from us at least 50 yds away at a rather fast pace. Note: don’t ever think you can out run a grizzly.
The proximity to Cody WY was a bonus to work in some souvenir shopping. The day trip to Yellowstone was a must see, our guide Janay Brun was very knowledgeable and made every geyser we saw interesting and even the site of Old Faithful was a thrill.
I’d definitely recommend this adventure, one of my favorite rides was to June’s Ridge, it was like being on top of the world.
Robyn M.
I really loved the time at Blackwater. The scenery was beautiful, my horse was a good choice for me, staff was friendly, attentive and responsive. I liked the smaller venue, it was personal and welcoming .
The only walking initially bothered me, after after spending the week there it made sense. The areas appropriate for trotting or loping were limited, a good working walk would be fine. The updated cabins were really nice , ours was not updated but it was clean and we were happy with it.
I feel being there for the Shoshone Cowgirl week was a good choice. We made friends and may see some again. We had our boots branded…that was cool
Loved the week!
Sue M.
This was cowgirl week and we had an excellent time! The food was great with options for everyone’s needs! The cabins were clean and many were updated!
The staff was the BEST and ready to do whatever they needed to make our stay memorable! We not only were able to do a lot of mountain rides(on great horses)…but went whitewater rafting, spent a day in Yellowstone, went to a rodeo in Cody and had lots of fun options at the ranch!
I highly recommend Yellowstone, WY ranch ride!
Mary Beth R.
We had a wonderful week at the Ranch horseback riding. I am an inexperienced, horseback rider and they made the experience easy and wonderful. The Wranglers assigned each guest a horse based on your experience. This made the week very easy for me.
The rides into the Shoshone National Forest were beautiful. They had other activities such as a half-day white water rafting trip( which was great fun), and a tour through Yellowstone. The food was good and accommodated my dietary issues.
Our accommodations were a very nice cabin. The staff was very personable and knowledgeable. Best part of the day was seeing the horses run from their daytime area to the nighttime corral right through the cabin area. Highly recommend this trip. Has something for everyone!