There are places where heaven just feels closer, and Ranch at Rock creek is one of them.
From the moment I arrived and opened my car door, I immediately started to breathe a different kind of air. Somehow the creek, pine trees, crisp wind, sage and thistle all blended together and gave me that perfect quintessential Montana scent.
For a few moments before walking into the Lobby, I just observed the trees swing with the wind, the birds chirping, horses galloping in the distance, rays of sun peaking through the leaves, and the river streaming past us. It suddenly felt like a perfectly orchestrated choreography, and I was happy to be a part of it.
The neighboring peaks surrounding the ranch make this the perfect spot for you to live your western dream with a side of luxury.
The ranch, which opened in 2010, is located in 6,600 acres in the heart of western Montana between Sapphire, John Long and Pintler Mountains. The ranch was such a success that shortly after it’s opening, it became a member of Relais & Chateaux as well as the Forbes Travel Guide in the same year.
While the price is enough to make you think twice about booking, it includes award wining cuisine and top notch activities. The ranch is comprised by a main lodge with 9 perfectly appointed guest rooms, 7 luxury homes, 10 luxury canvas cabins and 3 Conestoga wagons. Every accommodation has a very authentic style which is updated up every year without fail.
The perfect accommodations for a family are both Sweetgrass and Cutbow. Both have 2 connecting tents next to the creek, making you feel like you are in some sort of Lewis & Clark expedition, the only difference is that you have every luxury amenity you might need including a stand alone soaking tub, a wooden barrel hot tub as well as 4 indoor fire places and a fire pit next to the creek.
However, if you are looking for a romantic spot, Trapper cabin is the one. For guests looking for a less adventurous accommodation, Bear cabin is one of my absolute favorites for a large family or a group of friends that want to sleep in an actual wooden structure.
The ranch has a great way to add to your accommodation if you want even more adventure. If you are staying in a tent or a home, you can rent a Homesteader wagon to be parked outside your accommodation for a fun overnight adventure. The wagons are perfectly appointed with a king bed, bunk beds and a bar.
Before you arrive, the ranch plans a personalized itinerary for each party depending on your needs. Our itinerary was comprised by horseback riding, fly fishing, paint ball in the woods, archery, rimfire, sporting clays, mountain biking and sapphire mining. You can do as much or as little as you want, but because we had 4 kids our itinerary was action packed.
Flint Forest Rangers is the perfect spot if traveling with children. It’s a kids program where they have super friendly counselors doing activities like adopting a horse, obstacle courses, among other activities while parents engage in adult-only activities like long horseback rides or spa treatments.
Lastly and possibly my favorite part is the Silver Dollar Saloon. This saloon as as legit as it gets. It has billiards table, four-lane bowling alley, saddle bar seats and the best drinks in town.
The Ranch at Rock Creek is a place where you will probably book your next stay before you even check-out.
