Not hunt wanted but horse riding in MT for 2025

[Grz63]

Hello
With my wife who is a skilled equestrian (and me a newbie) we plan to have a true experience in Montana (you know why ..) in may-june 2025 (elk hunting is later, will be in 2028 ?) for a couple of days, say 4 or 5 days. And we will use the remaining days to visit this fantastic state (it starts fine ;-))
Could someone recommend trusty adresses ? it will give me time to organize it.
thank you in advance
Philippe

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

My elk outfitter does summer cabin rentals and horse trail rides. Randy and Dena Petrich own Rising Son Outfitters and are located near Pray, MT. Fly into Bozeman and it’s about a 45 minute drive.

Rising Son Outfitters | Hunting In Montana

...

www.huntinginmontana.com

 

[buck wild]

You might try these folks although the mainly do hunts. And no I'm not sure why it's Hawaii Outfitters other than the obvious

Fisher Outfitters | Montana Hunting Guides

Professional Hunting Guides in Montana. Featured in over 50 hunting programs and hunting publications.

hawaiisafaris.com

 

[HankBuck]

Hello
With my wife who is a skilled equestrian (and me a newbie) we plan to have a true experience in Montana (you know why ..) in may-june 2025 (elk hunting is later, will be in 2028 ?) for a couple of days, say 4 or 5 days. And we will use the remaining days to visit this fantastic state (it starts fine ;-))
Could someone recommend trusty adresses ? it will give me time to organize it.
thank you in advance
Philippe

What type of horse back riding are you looking for? If only “trail rides” - scenic but walking pace - then you have dozens to chose from. More aggressive rides where you trot, cantor and even gallop are rare - some dude type ranches still do that but google search and ask very specific questions about the riding quality. My Wife and I went to Triple Creek Ranch in MT this past Sept. The accommodations were excellent, food outstanding, service great, open bar with premium liquor. The horse back riding was better then nose to tail but still too “tame” for our taste (we both ride and wanted faster rides). They offer a working cattle drive for one day but even that was fairly slow - I was able to trot, cantor when chasing a few cows but that was it. Overall it’s a top notch place geared towards a high end clientele but not aggressive riders.... the cost is also top shelf.

 

[Justhunt]

Check this place out.

McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranch​

https://www.mmgranch.net/

They are about 30 minutes from me, and probably 90 miles from Kalispell International. They have a very good reputation. Good folks.
Not affiliated at all.

 

[Grz63]

What type of horse back riding are you looking for? If only “trail rides” - scenic but walking pace - then you have dozens to chose from. More aggressive rides where you trot, cantor and even gallop are rare - some dude type ranches still do that but google search and ask very specific questions about the riding quality. My Wife and I went to Triple Creek Ranch in MT this past Sept. The accommodations were excellent, food outstanding, service great, open bar with premium liquor. The horse back riding was better then nose to tail but still too “tame” for our taste (we both ride and wanted faster rides). They offer a working cattle drive for one day but even that was fairly slow - I was able to trot, cantor when chasing a few cows but that was it. Overall it’s a top notch place geared towards a high end clientele but not aggressive riders.... the cost is also top shelf.

Thank you for your comments. We are not specialist at all about american horse riding (and myself I am a beginner), that's just for genuine experience, riding horse peacefully in Montana, it's already a dream , a postcard. Why not participating to local actvities.. that's an idea.

 

[Alaska Luke]

Montana is great. I did packrafting trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Other people ride horses. Wyoming has good areas to and a real cowboy culture as well. Sorry I can't tell you who to go with. My observation was lots of day trips, only a few outfits seemed to cater to more experienced riders or people wanting to get out for a week. You might consider two shorter riding trips to get different experiences in different areas.

If you do Montana I suggest hiking in Glacier NP on the same trip. If you do Wyoming I'd suggest the Tetons and a road trip in Yellowstone if you haven't done those already. In Glacier you can see Mtn goats easily enough and maybe a grizzly. In Yellowstone you can see grizzly bears, wolves and everything else. But you might need to invest a couple days in looking. Sort of like hunting but with a camera. It was great fun. We watched wolves almost kill an elk. Sadly it's gotten crowded. If you can go early or late in the season it's not as bad.

Edit - May is a bit early to get into the mountains. There will still be some snow uo high. June is better. If you have a longer vacation maybe start in late May and stay into June?

 

[Grz63]

Thank you @Alaska Luke . In 2018 I went to Yellowstone NP with my last son. Very crowded , we followed the "ant colony". But on the way I discovered Grand Teton NP. Awesome, it gives ideas to get there back. Because we already know (a little) of WY we want to go to MT. The idea is just to have a couple of days of horse riding. Sort of introduction to this culture.. with my camera obviously. Moreover we are what you call "good" walkers no pb to make 20km each days. We are used to do that in France (we live in the Center of France on the volcano chain - Massif Central ). In 2 years I wil get retired with more flexibility. June is the perfect time. And it gives me time to learn and practice the horse riding basics.

 

[HankBuck]

Thank you for your comments. We are not specialist at all about american horse riding (and myself I am a beginner), that's just for genuine experience, riding horse peacefully in Montana, it's already a dream , a postcard. Why not participating to local actvities.. that's an idea.

There are also trail rides near Glacier National Park - they are scenic and walking pace rides, the Park itself is spectacular and especially if you are in shape to do some day hikes. Yellow Stone also worth a visit - more wildlife usually seen there then Glacier. Cost for any trip is “as much as you want to spend” - I like simple things and the accommodations less important then the area & activities I participate in...My Wife enjoys nice hotel (a tent is fine by me). Montana has both

 

[Bsto270]

I spent a week some years back at Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder MT fishing. They did rides daily from the ranch and the owners and staff were fantastic folks. Options from lodge rooms with all meals to cabins with kitchens. Located in the Ruby Valley and gorgeous area. Up the canyon further from there was Broken Arrow Ranch.

 

[Grz63]

thank you for your suggestions, very relevant. Now I will work on it , a mix of both , why not ? Glacier NP could be a backup of Grand Teton NP. but now I am focused on something. Great.

 

[Alaska Luke]

Sounds like you have a good plan. I'd suggest the riding than some hiking. A week of hiking is cheap. Glacier Park has some amazing scenery. The parks in Canada are nice too. I've hiked in Banff and Jasper.

 

[Grz63]

I am 60. In 88-89 I have done my french military service in Ottawa, ON . As graduate it was possible for us to do military overseas cooperation.. but during 2 years.
Canada was a dream of my youth. I bet you understand.
During the second Summer I have done 13000 km in 3 weeks , driving from Ottawa to the Pacific thru the north of US and back thru the Transcanada Highway (including Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria Island, Whistler, Barkerville, Bank and Jasper, .the Saskatchewan,..). The Rockies are gorgeous for sure. A that time the Columbus glacier was near the road. It seems now you have to take a shuttle, drive 4 km before touching the ice.
Yes I have hiked there.
Beautiful.
Louise Lake etc.; ..

 

[WH1]

I spent a week some years back at Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder MT fishing. They did rides daily from the ranch and the owners and staff were fantastic folks. Options from lodge rooms with all meals to cabins with kitchens. Located in the Ruby Valley and gorgeous area. Up the canyon further from there was Broken Arrow Ranch.

Highly recommend Upper Canyon Outfitters. Great people, my wife and I have known Donna and Jake McDonald, the owners for many years. Beautiful country, Ted Turner's Buffalo ranch is next door, plus the Ruby River flows right out the backdoor. Also excellent elk hunting outfitter for your future endeavors.

 

[MontanaPat]

Check out adventuresoutfitting.com, they are owned by Tim Beardsley who also does hunting outfitting. They do several horseback trips in the mountains around the Madison Valley near Ennis MT where I live. I have done several day rides with them to high mountain lakes to fly fish. They also do overnight horse trips and can custom design a trip for however many days you want. Nice people and fun to be with, good horses too. It would be easy to tie a trip with them to also visiting Grand Teton NP since they are only a couple hours drive apart.

 

[Finprof]

If you don’t need lessons or help, you can rent horses at the corral next to Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. The scenery is incredible and there are hundreds of trails through the park.
We stayed at Many Glacier Hotel for a week in June 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife is an avid hiker and I like to hike even when I am not carrying a rifle.
Perhaps Yellowstone and Teton have the same availability.