Summer Cattle Drive and Mountain Trails in Montana

5.0 (4)
5 days 4 nights
USA
Photo Bill B.
5.0
Bill B.
Tour Provider
View Bill’s tours
Difficulty
Moderate
Comfort
Midscale
Weight limit
Group size
2-8 tourists,
over 16 y.o.

Some trips smell of dust, leather, warm grass, and summer rain on the prairie. This Montana riding vacation is built around that feeling: long skies overhead, cattle moving ahead of you, and mountains waiting in the distance. Over five days, you get a true summer taste of Western life, with ranch work, trail riding, and a local rodeo woven into one all-inclusive horseback getaway.

The trip begins with an arena clinic, giving you time to get comfortable with your horse and saddle before heading out. Then you spend two full days pushing Corriente and Black Angus cows across the prairie on the Blackfeet Reservation, with mountain views framing the work. After the cattle drive, the route changes pace as you leave the pastures behind and ride up into the mountains that stood on the horizon during your days on the prairie.

The tour includes 3½ days of riding and is designed for riders who want both the energy of cattle work and the calm of a mountain trail. A night at the local Thursday Night rodeo adds a lively small-town Montana touch to the journey. If you want dirt under your boots, big country around you, and a summer ride with real Western character, this is the saddle to choose!

* there is a discount for a couple stay

from
$3,795
per tourist for 5 days
Departing from
Montana, Flathead County, Essex
Available dates
Date of travel
Number of individuals
2-8 tourists, over 16 y.o.
Only in the Horse Tours Club
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  • Reviews from travelers
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Photo Bill B.
Bill B. is the provider of this trip
The provider speaks: English
We are Bill, Diana & Dusty, the Ranch Owners. Our home becomes your home during your stay and we wouldn’t want it any other way. From the moment you arrive, we’ll greet you and make you feel like you are a part of our family! You’ll stay in one of our cabin rentals or in the lodge itself. In addition to that, you have access to the property, including most of the lodge, the pastures, Bear Creek, the riding arena, tack room and the corrals. Our ranch is “guest friendly” as are we! We will make you feel comfortable and welcome while adventuring in Montana. There is no better place to ride than out in the open country with the Rocky Mountains in the background.

Tour highlights

Cattle Work Under Big Skies
Spend two full days moving Corriente and Black Angus cows across the prairie with mountains in view
cattle ride montana
Mountain Trail Day
Trade the prairie for elevation and ride into the mountains that framed your cattle drive
Small-Town Rodeo Night
Thursday Night Rodeo
Enjoy a local small-town rodeo night during your summer Montana stay

Route details

Day 1
Arrival

Arrive for the start of the ranch vacation. After arrival, there will be a clinic in the arena to help you get comfortable with your horse and saddle before the riding days begin.

This is the introduction to the trip and a chance to prepare for the cattle work and trail riding ahead.

cattle ride montana
cattle ride montana
cattle ride montana 1 more photo
Day 2
Cattle Drive on the Prairie
Day 3
Second Day of Cattle Work
Day 4
Mountain Trail Ride and Local Rodeo
Day 5
Final Day and Departure
Difficulty
Moderate
Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Comfort
Midscale
Guest House
4 nights
4 nights
Cabin Accommodation

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place
Montana, Flathead County, Essex
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Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route
You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on
  • the forecasts for this season
  • the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included
  • transportation to and from Kalispell, Intl. airport
  • all meals;
  • cabins;
  • horses.
Extras
  • flights;
  • taxes;
  • Indian Reservation Permit (20$);
  • insurance.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • jeans & boots for riding;
  • one warm coat for Spring and Fall;
  • two sweaters/fleece;
  • a pair of camp/ranch shoes;
  • rain slicker;
  • hat and gloves;
  • personal toiletries (Basic toiletries are provided)
Price 2026
Cancellation of booking

Reviews

5.0
Based on 4 reviews
  • T
    Tom
    about provider
    23 Aug, 2023
    1 more photo
    What a fantastic trip! Staying at this ranch didn't feel like renting a cabin—it felt like visiting friends! The family was incredibly welcoming and accommodating, and breakfast was outstanding. The lodge, which served as their house, was the perfect place for our family of six adults to hang out. While the cabins were rustic, they were comfortable. We enjoyed feeding grain to the horses, watching Bill and Dusty practice some bull roping, giving their two dogs some love, and going on a horseback ride with a packed lunch to enjoy with a beautiful view. When we got caught in a storm while hiking one day, they kindly offered the use of their washer and dryer. Dusty even mentioned the Blue Moon rodeo in Columbia Falls, so we decided to go—it was a blast! The location of the ranch is perfect for exploring Glacier Park from both ends, as they are about an equal distance from the West and East entrances. Many Glacier is only about a half-hour past the East entrance. While we had read that there was Uber out there, we were grateful for their recommendation to rent a minivan—it was much needed! Thank you all for such a fantastic stay, and best of luck to Dusty and Indi with their new house!
  • K
    Kenzie
    about provider
    22 Aug, 2023
    Our visit was nothing short of a dream come true! From the warm welcome by the incredibly kind staff to the cozy cabin stay that felt just like home, every moment was memorable. The breakfast each morning was simply divine! The horseback ride offered the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, allowing us to soak in breathtaking views of mountains, wildlife, rivers, and woods. The horses were not only sweet but also impeccably trained. Whether you're exploring Glacier National Park or seeking the ultimate dude ranch experience with the most hospitable hosts, this is the place to be. We're already counting down the days until our next visit!
  • A
    Anonymous
    about provider
    17 Jul, 2023
    1 more photo
    I absolutely loved everything about this ranch! From the stunning backdrop of mountains to the cozy, clean cabins with awesome beds and pillows, everything was perfect. The food, prepared by Diana and Indy, was exceptional—five-star menus for both breakfasts and dinners. The ranch's main house was welcoming, spacious, and beautiful, and the horses, rides, and views were all incredible! But it's the owners who truly made the experience unforgettable. Bill is a kind and caring cowboy, with a gentle soul and plenty of wisdom and patience. His wife, Diana, is sweet, welcoming, and incredibly generous. Dusty and Indy are a fun and welcoming couple, and spending time with their St. Bernard pups, Diesel and Dixie, was an added bonus! I enjoyed my time so much that I'm already planning to go back next year. Montana is truly a sight to see, and experiencing it from here is highly recommended. I even had the opportunity to spend time with members of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, which was a wonderful bonus! John, who has worked on the ranch for decades, shared fascinating historical information and wisdom about the riding landscape and the Blackfeet reservation. And if you're looking to explore Glacier National Park, it's less than a half-hour from the ranch—truly the perfect location. I can't recommend this place highly enough. I went alone and left with a group of eight new friends—fun, friendly people who I now consider my friends. Don't hesitate—just go!

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $3,795
    26 – 30 Aug
    5 days 4 nights
    Request to book

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