Montana

Nicholas Evans author of The Horse Whisperer travelled with American Round-Up and stayed with Lonnie at The Lonesome Spur Ranch in Montana while doing research for his book Call 01798 865946 to book

Montana is Big Sky Country, taking its name from the Spanish for "mountain",a land of rugged mountains and vast high rolling prairies. Peaks stand sharp against the blue sky, lakes and streams glisten in forests of pine and fir, and highland meadows are bright with flowers. We have various ranches suitable for beginner or advanced riders. Do give us a call if you wish to discuss your requirements 01798 865946 or e mail sales@americanroundup.com

NEW FOR 2009 BLACKTAIL RANCH IN MONTANA Available dates left : May 30, June 6 & 20, 9, 15, 23, 29 August and 5 September 2009 only

This ranch is located between Helena and Great Falls, not too far from either Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. Their herd of horses accommodates a wide variety of riding skills. They do not have a structured schedule but you may ride as much or as little as you like. For the more adventurous they offer a three-day "Divide Ride" starting at the ranch and heading up the valley to the top of the Continental Divide. From the top of the Great Divide you can see for miles from the Rocky Mountains to the West to the prairies in the East. Whether you like to fish a mountain stream or cast your line across a wide river there are endless fishing opportunities. The South fork of the Dearborn River flows through the ranch. 8000 open acres borders the National Forest so there are endless trail systems.

1. MONTANA HORSE COUNTRY ADVENTURES TOWNSEND

Working Ranch offering Cattle and Horse Drives

How about saddling up and riding horseback at dawn without a building or fence to be seen! Imagine the fun of exploring the mountains on horseback, with the sunset turning the sky all shades of orange, pink and gold. Experience what it was like to round up horses and to drive cattle as the cowboys did 150 years ago. Have you ever wished you and your horse could run with the wild bunch? Then this is you type of holiday. Throughout the spring and summer, they host several horseback adventures for riders of varying ages and riding ability including Horse Roundups, Cattle Drives and Pack Trips. They bring over 10 years of experience sharing cattle drives with the world. Their drives are in the Big Belt and Little Belt Mountains of Montana west of Helena. The ranches involved are all family ranches; most of the families have been in this area for close to a century. They provide the scenery, your horse, the cattle, wranglers, tented accommodation, chuck wagon meals, transportation during the drive and entertainment. Drives leave on specific dates given below.

2009 Horse drive : 11 – 16 June 2008 £1418 pp includes tented accomm, meals, riding, taxes and 10% service charge .Transfers from Bozeman or Helena included. Destination Airport: Helena or Bozeman, Max number of guests 30, camping out at night, riding 4-6 hours a day,

2009 Cattle Drives 20-25 May, 1-5 July and 5-10 Aug 2008 £1262pp (incl tax and service)

You are a long way off the main road at Sweetgrass in some of Montana's truely beautiful wilderness areas. There are rooms in the lodge, but most of the accommodation is in a number of one or two bedroom cabins all with private facilities and some with fire places. There is no shortage of things to do with cattle work during the summer and a special cattle gather in September. Open June to Sept. Altitude 6100 ft. Destination Airport : Billings. Max Guests : 20

Prices start from 7 June-13 Sept 2009 £920.00 pp per week plus Ranch gratuity £133 includes 3 meals a day all ranch andl riding activities. Extras to pay for rafting, golf and pack trips. Transfer operated by a local company from Billings who charge US$580 for a group of 6

This family run ranch lies alongside the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River near the Beartooth Mountains. The ranch is between Billings and Cody- right on the border. The river gives the surrounding valley a more verdant look and you are really in the "heart of the west" here. Both novice and experienced riders are catered for and their rides explore the ranch, wide open range and pine covered mountains. Once a week they plan a day trip to explore the western town of Cody to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and the Nite Rodeo. Nearby the ranch are great options for fishing. All meals are all served family style in the ranch house and rooms feature private baths, air-conditioning with great views The summer season runs from May to October and you may start any day for a 6 nights stay. 20 guests.

Prices start £1119 plus £160 Ranch gratuity per person double occup per week (7 nights stay) Open 1 May-31 October 2009 - includes 3 meals a day, accommodation, ranch activities . Transfer from Billings or Cody $150 per party

4. 63 GUEST RANCH - Visit 2,3,4, July 2009 to take in the historic Livingston Rodeo

Historic popular ranch with repeat customers, excellent riding orientation and extra riding tuition offered, friendly atmosphere set in stunning location under Elephant Head Mountain. Fishing. Great ranch for children. Variety of cabins set amongst the pine trees, there is certain amount of cattle work to be enjoyed and no shortage of riding across beautiful countryside. Excellent area for wildlife viewing. Usually one day all day ride option to move/sort cow and calf pairs depending on need to do so, or mountain ride for pure pleasure. Evening entertainment includes, dancing & blues band. Altitude 5600 ft. Open June to Mid Sept. Sunday to Sunday. Max guests : 30. Airport transfer Bozeman.

Open 14 June - 6 September 2009. Prices start from £1046.00 per week plus Rodeo visit US$21 beginning July , Gratuity paid locally at the ranch (10-15%). Includes three meals a day, all riding activities and evening entertainment. Extras to pay for river floats, fishing guides, Transfer $100 pp each way per car load from Bozeman

Charming isolated ranch, excellent riding orientation lessons, highly organised pack trips click below for details- recommended. In the summer holidays good children's programme. Hand built custom made cabins of various shapes and sizes, riding in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Excellent food. Western riding is the main activity with over 60 mountain savvy horses providing unlimited riding over mountain trails. Open June to Sept. Sunday- Saturday 6 nights. Destination Airport : Great Falls. 24 Aug- Sept Adults only weeks. Max guests 20. Click here for pack trip description and dates Excellent pack trips

Prices start from £1126.00 pp per week plus £161 ranch gratuity. 14 June-30 Sept 2009 includes three meals a day and all riding activities. Transfer included from Great Falls for collection on Sundays and returns on Saturdays.

A fine example of western working ranch in the Prior Mountains south of Billings. There are unstructured ranch activities at this property as the owner may take you out to help his neighbours as much as you would find yourself working at the Double Spear. Seasonal work starts in May and the most popular time is the September round-up and early booking for this is recommended. Destination Airport : Billings. Max Guests : 10

1 April-31 October 2009. Prices start from £880.00 pp per week plus ranch gratuity £61 includes 3 meals a day and all riding, Transfer included from Billings.

Nicholas Evans author of The Horse Whisperer stayed with Lonnie at The Lonesome Spur Ranch in Montana while doing research for his book

This is a working ranch, where you are invited to participate in the day to day ranch activities but is run more on the lines of a Guest ranch. Located in the Clarks Fork Valley, between the Pryor and Beartooth Mountains

just south of Billings. Guests are invited to join the rancher at branding time the first weekend of May and trailing the cattle to summer pastures around the middle of June. The owners help out a near neighbour with his cattle, the Grove Creek Ranch is about 30,000 acres altogether. Throughout the summer they work on horseback, monitoring the condition of both cattle and range and moving the herd from one area to another as often as needed to preserve the health of the ecosystem and the cattle. There are a number of additional off ranch activities offered such as a day trip to Yellowstone Park. The accommodation is a number of small western style cabins with shared bathrooms, these are clustered around the simple Lodge near the horse barns. Meals are served in the lodge, family style and with an Anglo/American flavour. Open year round. Any day start for a 6 night stay.

Open year round - Prices start from £1192.00 plus Ranch gratuity £114 per week includes three meals a day and, riding activities, Extras to pay for rafting, golf and fishing. Airport transfer included $100 pp from Billings TBC

Overlooks Yellowstone Park from a secluded valley and is just south of Bozeman in the Gallatin Gateway. This is a family orientated dude ranch with daily horseback rides and an overnight pack trip all the accommodation is in log cabins with forest furniture and private facilities. Family style meals and taken in the lodge. Excellent childrens programme. Additional activities are square dances, hay rides, private trout pond and a fly fishing instructor. Destination Airport ; Bozeman. Extras to pay for rafting, pack trip, mountain bikes and laundry. Open Mid June to Mid Sept. Max Guests 65.

Open from 14 June-20 September 2009. Prices start from £1098 plus ranch gratuity £106 pp per week includes three meals a day and all riding activities. Transfer from Bozeman $150 first person plus $25 additional person

Luxury resort ranch orientated towards adults only for those looking for comfort, entertainment and excellent cuisine. The emphasis is on good food, fine wine and general relaxation, while riding is always available please note that the ranch ask you only to walk your mount as they want you to return to enjoy their hospitality. This is a year round destination with a spectacular winter programme - click here for details

Nineteen individual custom designed log cabins take luxury to a new height - perfect for a romantic destination. Altitude 4600 ft. Destination Airport : Missoula. Max guests 42.

Open year round. Prices start from £1608 pp per week plus ranch gratuity £152 includes three meals a day plus drinks, riding, Extras to pay for rafting skeet shooting, mountain bikes. Transfer $250 roundtrip per car Missoula Airport.

Located between Great Falls and Helena, this small family run guest ranch will certainly help you improve your western riding. Dan, Maria, Anna, and Patty have all passed the Level 1 in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program and are working on our Level 2 and 3 certifications. Everyone says that they have great rides and good horses. Riding trips are between two and five hours a day plus arena games. We have rides over a variety of terrain. We ride to the tops of the mountains where the views are spectacular. Parts of the rides are steep climbing, but where the terrain is appropriate you can have long canters and runs.. On one day of each week we they move cattle from one pasture to the next or bring the cattle in to the arena to do team penning. One ride ends at the Silver City Saloon. This is a thirteen-mile ride.

Accommodation is in two duplex blocks all with private facilities and local furniture. The main lodge offers recreation and dining plus there is fly fishing on local rivers not to be missed. Novice and experienced riders welcome here. Destination Airport : Helena or Great Falls. Max Guests : 24. Open May-Oct. Any day start - 7 night stay.

Open 1 May- 31 October 2009 Prices start from £936 plus £133 ranch gratuity per person per week includes three meals a day and all riding activities. Transfer $150 from Great Falls or Helena up to 5 people.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch shares the neighbourhood with distinguished company. Fishing at Lodge Yellowstone National Park is just 40 minutes away. The Madison River, one of the West’s premier fly-fishing waters, runs through the property. Elk, bear, antelope, wolves and numerous species of birds call this region home. The land here is carefully managed, yet untamed, right up to the front door of the Lodge. Here, integrated, sustainable ranching, wildlife conservation and eco-tourism are at the core of the operation..

The Lodge at Sun Ranch is centred in the wide-open spaces of the 26,000-acre Sun Ranch, where the land looks much the same as it did when Lewis and Clark passed through two centuries ago.

3 nights May- September 2009 £954 pp plus ranch gratuity charge of £158 multi venture package includes guided hiking, fishing, canoeing, riding and tour to Yellowstone's front country

Highly recommended for those looking for luxury, good riding and comprehensive entertainment. Not bookable until March after return guests have been taken care of. But subject to space available this is one of the premier family ranches in Montana with a reputation for excellence in all aspects.

American Round-Up charge the same as the ranch so give us a call if you would like us to send you a full quotation with or without flight or click on the e mail quote for below for details Tel : 01798 865946