Bear Creek Guest Ranch
Please Call or Email to Inquire about availability: 406-226-4489 or bill7777@hotmail.com
-Book By Season-
Our world is always changing, but not so much here at Bear Creek Ranch! We do have some limited wi-fi access but no cell phone service. How do you like that? You may see elk or deer, or even an occasional bear, on the property from your cabin window. And you will see a bunch of horses! Horses are a huge part of our identity, our being, our lives. We really hope you can join us in that enjoyment, whether it be on a day-long ride, cattle drive, or simply caring for them in our barn or corral.
We’ll take care of the details – you can just show up and enjoy yourself. When you arrive at the ranch for your Montana horseback riding adventure, you will feel welcome and right at home. We offer full day horseback rides and do so in small groups and have four week-long horseback riding adventures, Riding the Four Winds and Off the Beaten Path in addition to cattle drives in the Fall and Spring, something for horseback riders of all levels! Those week-long trips are described if you click on them below. Love to have you join us.
Each horseback riding vacation event specializes in something different but they all have adventure and fun in common. These horseback vacations are like nothing else you have ever experienced and you will have amazing memories and stories to take home with you. Along with learned knowledge and a new found appreciation for the western way of life!
Come and immerse yourself in the Montana way of life and share in a bit of real American history. This part of the country truly sets Northwestern Montana apart from any place you have ever or will ever visit. From our week-long horseback vacations to cattle drives to horseback day trips, see why the people who have visited Bear Creek Ranch return again and again!
“We do everything that we can to maintain the authentic Western way of life, even in the ever-changing, fast-paced world of the present. When life slows down, you slow down – cell phones are forgotten. The sky is bigger, the plains more vast, the mountains are higher and the air is more clear. And you’ll appreciate it all!”
See Our Recently Added Special Vacation to the 2024 Schedule!
Well, it’s about time ain’t it! It’s about time to pick out the best trail rides I’ve
ever done and then do ‘em again!
So, next season (2024), I’ll be putting together a week that will highlight some of the most awesome country I know, the best riding on our best horses, riding our best selection of trails one day with the potential of moving cattle the next day, and in addition we’re going to highlight each of our eight guests over the course of the week as I share with you country you’ve never seen before and perhaps never will again!
I started riding the country that surrounds me at my home, Bear Creek Ranch,
more than forty years ago. I came to the ranch with the idea that I’d gather up a
few horses and somehow, some way, be able to ride folks into the country that surround us. We do stay out of Glacier National Park for the most part but
focus our best rides both In the Badger-Two Medicine and Blackfeet Reservation
Country. Believe me, you “won’t believe” what you’re going to see. Over the
course of many years I’ve had the pleasure of riding areas that are “off the beaten
path,” and not ridden by anyone. We’ve done those rides for, in many cases,
years, and have yet to ever see another soul. We can ride with “effect” and not at
a regimented walk in a crowd. If we care to hit a trot or a lope, we’ll do so. Do
keep in mind that we’ll also pay attention to our horses and will manage their
days with care directed towards their lives as well. Hitting it too hard isn’t good
but riding too slowly isn’t what you are coming for either. I think our many guests
that have ridden with us over the years would agree. And by the way, if you care
to, there’s a bunch of reviews on our operation at TripAdvisor.com. Feel free to
take a look!
So back to “my favorite” rides of the last half century, almost! Beginning on
Sunday, August 25th we’ll be picking up 8- 10 guests at the airport in Kalispell. The
ride back to the ranch is about seventy miles so we’ll be at the ranch in any hour
or so. You’ll be staying in one of our five cabins and eating some real filling and
nutritious homemade meals every morning and evening. We pack lunch in saddle
bags and eat on the trail each day. Following an introduction to the ranch and our
staff we’ll be riding in our sand arena to match everyone up to the right horse and
the right saddle. We’ve got plenty of horses to choose from and you will be
welcome to ride the same horse all week or switch things up and ride a few
different ones.
For the record, we do have a weight limit of 225 pounds and on the week in
question we are asking that you have some riding experience. You don’t need
alot of experience as we’ve got horses that will be more malleable than others
but you will feel more comfortable if you’ve got the basic horsemanship skills
covered.
The ideas I have for the following week are to ride a different bit of country every
day. I’ll run our options by you each evening and we’ll go from there. Wind, rain,
or snow won’t be a factor during this period of time. The sky is blue and sunny,
rain will be hard to find, and snow season is still a few months off. No mud and
no bugs! You’ll be riding the mountains, the foothills, and the coulees along the
river. You won’t need to ride nose to tail. Spread out when you care to. On any
given day we may have the opportunity to see a bear, black or grizzly. They’re
there and you’ll see tracks and scat. We see the big ones from a distance and
with a group on horseback there is no danger.
I’ve always maintained that a day horseback is a day well spent. That’s where we
want to go! There’s a whole lot to be said about swinging a leg over and heading
out. That’s really the essence of a good ride. If you’re riding in good country, on a
good horse, and with good folks, you’re way ahead of the ballgame. Everything
else is gravy! You are going to be riding with some good people. Believe it or
not, we rarely have a mix up or an unsatisfied customer. So many of the groups
that have been informally put together for the adventure vacations are a big part
of the joy you’ll experience over the course of the week. You’ll be meeting folks
from our country and beyond. This past season we had ‘em from Sweden,
Ireland, and Australia.
If after reading this you still find yourselves with some questions regarding times,
probably be here but if not just leave a message. Some guests talk to us a half
dozen times before they ever arrive. Ask away. No worries.
So, we’ll be good to go when you’re ready! We’d love to have you with us on this very special, first of it’s kind adventure vacation. I don’t know of another outfit
that does it like us. Bring some clothing, boots, and a hat along with a good sense
of humor and an appetite.
Hope you are well and again looking forward to another warm weather season,
still another 6 months ahead of us!
Let’s talk soon,
Bill.
15750 US-2, Essex, MT 59916 United States | (406) 226-4489 | bill.bearcreekranch@gmail.com
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