5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation at Lone Mountain Ranch


Thanks to Lone Mountain Ranch for providing us a discount to visit their amazing ranch in Big Sky, Montana. All opinions expressed are from our family. Here are 5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation for your family or  friends.

Have you ever thought of taking a vacation to a ranch out West? There are many misconceptions about ranches that all you do is ride horses. Sure there are dude ranches that horseback riding is the main focus, but at Lone Mountain Ranch there is an activity for everyone in your family.

 

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation at Lone Mountain Ranch

ACTIVITIES AT LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH

Lone Mountain Ranch has been around for over 100 years and tucked between the Montana Rockies, rivers and grasslands, and only 40 minutes from the Bozeman Airport. Lone Mountain Ranch is situated in Big Sky Montana, about 7 miles from Big Sky Ski Resort.

While they have horseback riding available,  there is so much more that even the youngest ones in your family will be occupied 52 weeks of the year. However, we can only speak about our trip in the summer.

Fly Fishing:

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Lone Mountain Ranch is also an Orvis Endorsed Lodge and you can spend your entire time at one of the many beautiful fly fishing spots. From floats to guided waded tours, the staff here are knowledgeable and friendly too.

My husband took two float trips and was not disappointed. If the scenery and wildlife are not enough, the fishing was abundant and challenging. You can book a vacation package to Lone Mountain that is all about the fish and you never have to get on a horse, if that is not your thing.

Kids Club: 

For kids 12 and younger, Lone Mountain offers all day events for the kids. They ride, conquer a high ropes course and arts and crafts. The kids in the program I would see around the ranch, always looked happy and the staff was so engaging.

Horseback Riding: 

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Horse lovers, this ranch has over 100 horses on the property and offers up to three rides a day. All riders need to pass an introductory ride so the wranglers can access your abilities. The scenery and wildlife on these rides are breathtaking as well. We saw bear, moose, and deer on our rides.

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Other Dude Ranch Outdoor Activities:

If your legs are tired of riding a horse, no worries. Guests at the ranch can pick from mountain biking trips, guided hikes, canoeing and tours of Yellowstone National Park.

The staff is super knowledgeable about the landscape of Big Sky and you can learn so much. Kids are actually learning on a vacation, I’ll take that over any day laying on the beach for hours.

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

They even serve you a gourmet picnic during your Yellowstone Trip.

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

LODGING Options On The Dude Ranch:

What is unique about this ranch compared to the one we visited last year, is that you are not committed to a whole week, although we could have stayed more than 6 days. Guests who are traveling to the national parks, can take refuge from the car and enjoy a true ranch experience for only a few days if that is all your schedule or budget allows. 5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Each guest stays in their own wooden cabin. We stayed in Hill Top, which is actually one of the original cabins on the ranch. They are rustic but you are on a ranch and if you are truly taking advantage of all that the ranch has to offer, you are only sleeping there. Be sure to check out the Video Tour of our Cabin. 

Firewood is provided and during our week there, we built a fire several times. Our room also came equipped with a Keurig machine and a small fridge.

There is a creek that runs through the resort as well. Check out this cabin that you can throw a line right from your balcony.

There is wifi available throughout the ranch but I almost wish it wasn’t. Sometimes it is nice to disconnect and have to make an effort to get online only once a day.

What Type of Food do they Serve at a Dude Ranch? 

With the Discovery Package, all of our meals and activities, besides fishing were included. All meals are served in the Horn & Cantle restaurant on property. You can make reservations for dinner as the restaurant is open to the public.

We had the option of a buffet for lunch or breakfast but could also order off a menu. Dinner options were farm to table gourmet options that were any foodies dream. Some example entrees included wild boar, Montana Trout, and elk meatballs. Of course, they had more mainstream items if you don’t want to try something too new.

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Have I convinced you to take a ranch vacation yet? The staff is all super amazing and by the end of the week, it was like we were saying goodbye to friends and not resort staff.

While this is a high-end vacation, the ranch is laid back but will bend backward to make sure you are having an amazing time and all your needs are met.

 

5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Montana

Find a Dude Ranch for you! 

Dude Ranches are the original all-inclusive destination for families, a dude or guest ranch vacation guarantees plenty of time to bond and spend time as a family, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Dude ranches give families the opportunity to challenge and revive their bodies, minds and spirits in some of the most breathtaking areas in the U.S., with a myriad of outdoor adventures such as rock climbing, cattle roping, horseback riding, zip lines, ATV riding and whitewater rafting. No matter which ranch you choose to visit, the Dude Ranchers’ Association(DRA) can help you select the perfect guest ranch for your family, with more than 100 DRA-accredited dude ranches in North America.

Be sure to pin this next time you are considering summer vacation plans and remember the 5 Reasons to Take A Dude Ranch Vacation at Lone Mountain Ranch

5 reasons to take a dude ranch vacation at Lone Mountain Ranch

Be sure to check out our other post on suggestions on what to pack for a Dude Ranch Vacation!   Lone Mountain does have a variety of cowboy boots to wear riding if you don’t want to purchase your own.

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25 Comments

  1. This reminds me of Hey Dude! I’ve never been to a Dude Ranch, but this looks like such a fun vacation. I would have loved the horses!

  2. What a great way to get away from it all for a bit. I love that they have such a focus on the kids too.

  3. What a great way to get away from it all for a bit. I love that they have such a focus on the kids too.

  4. Looks like there’s TONS there to keep anyone busy! And those VIEWS! WOW! I mean, anyone could visit this place for the views alone!

  5. Looks like there’s TONS there to keep anyone busy! And those VIEWS! WOW! I mean, anyone could visit this place for the views alone!

  6. what a great place to take a vacation. It would be a true getaway. While it may be rugged I would love to be out in nature having fun

  7. what a great place to take a vacation. It would be a true getaway. While it may be rugged I would love to be out in nature having fun

  8. Wow! What a fun idea for a vacation! I bet my kids would love visiting a dude ranch!

  9. Wow! What a fun idea for a vacation! I bet my kids would love visiting a dude ranch!

  10. I know my kids would love to take a dude ranch vacation, seriously! They love horses and anything like that, so this would be the perfect family trip idea for our future bucket list of kid full adventures!

  11. I know my kids would love to take a dude ranch vacation, seriously! They love horses and anything like that, so this would be the perfect family trip idea for our future bucket list of kid full adventures!

  12. I haven’t been to Montana in YEARS. This is seriously beautiful and a lot of fun! I’ve also wanted to visit a Dude Ranch (on my bucket list) and Lone Mountain sounds like a great one! Thanks for sharing all of your fun!

  13. I haven’t been to Montana in YEARS. This is seriously beautiful and a lot of fun! I’ve also wanted to visit a Dude Ranch (on my bucket list) and Lone Mountain sounds like a great one! Thanks for sharing all of your fun!

  14. Although we now live in the Chicago suburbs, my family is from Arizona where we embrace the wild west and cowboys. My children and I have not been to Yellowstone so that would be really cool to get a bucket list item like that! My husband wants to learn to fly fish so there is so much fun to be had at a Dude Ranch.

  15. Although we now live in the Chicago suburbs, my family is from Arizona where we embrace the wild west and cowboys. My children and I have not been to Yellowstone so that would be really cool to get a bucket list item like that! My husband wants to learn to fly fish so there is so much fun to be had at a Dude Ranch.

  16. This looks like a great place to visit with your family. We usually go to the beach but I would love to try something new.

  17. This looks like a great place to visit with your family. We usually go to the beach but I would love to try something new.

  18. What a beautiful destination for a family getaway! This type of experience would be a great opportunity to disconnect and relax. Much needed for a city dweller like myself.

  19. What a beautiful destination for a family getaway! This type of experience would be a great opportunity to disconnect and relax. Much needed for a city dweller like myself.

  20. I’m with you- I’d like to see limited wifi coverage on a vacation like this. I’ve always wanted to fish from a river or creek. I think this would be right up my alley!

  21. I’m with you- I’d like to see limited wifi coverage on a vacation like this. I’ve always wanted to fish from a river or creek. I think this would be right up my alley!

  22. This is the type of experience that my Mother would absolutely love. She spent her whole life with horses and I know it would be so over the top fantastic for her!

  23. This is the type of experience that my Mother would absolutely love. She spent her whole life with horses and I know it would be so over the top fantastic for her!

  24. Lone Mountain Ranch sounds lik a great place to spend some family time. I would love to visit the mountains more with my family.

  25. Lone Mountain Ranch sounds lik a great place to spend some family time. I would love to visit the mountains more with my family.