Spotted Bear Ranch

If you haven't had the Spotted Bear experience, do yourself a favor and book one! It really doesn't matter what you're up there to do--ride horses, fish, or commune with nature --the time spent there will be life-changing. Why? I've spent the 6 months since I was there trying to find words for it--that's how unique it is. Here's what I know: --It's not just the fact that it's a small, quiet spot with world class service, --It's not just the fact that I expected a bustling place where I'd be lost in the shuffle and instead showed up to a small staff of genuinely good humans who offered coffee and peach cobbler that soothed my soul, --It's not just the fact that the food is so delicious that you never want to leave (delicious is some amazing combo of down-home and 5-star flavorful), --It's not just the fact that the lodge is built right on the edge of a rushing river that sings your soul to peace as you sip whiskey on the deck and watch bald eagles frolic, --It's not just the fact that when the power goes off at night a million more stars twinkle at you than anywhere else in the world, --It's not just the impeccable silence and the privacy of being removed from the world for a blissful break...and all that is before you mount up and head into the wilderness! When you head out into this rare slice of the world that isn't tainted by cars, electronics, or stress, it's this new feeling that nothing else in the world matters except this moment and the sound of your horse's hooves and the river. --It Isn't just the fact that you are far, far from anywhere and you realize the staff are such experts, it doesn't bother them in the slightest to be entrusted with your care. They got this. They LOVE this, and their enjoyment is contagious! --It's not just the fact that it's all the joys of camping without any of the work because the lovely staff have set up everything and have coffee hot when you wake up, --It's not just the fact that they attend to your every need, it's that they do it in a way that makes it feel like you're home and everyone missed you while you were away, --It's not just the chance to experience the wilderness without needing to know everything or do it all yourself, --It's not just the fact that it's an incredible learning experience... ...it IS all of those things. But the experience also has a way of getting deep into the stressed soul, spreading peace there, and truly changing your life. It's not just riding, fishing, camping, or meeting new friends, it's getting treated like family and experiencing something so different that it changes you. You'd think you have to fly around the world to experience another culture that's so profoundly different from the norm that it shifts your perspective. But nope, you can just book a trip--any trip--any Spotted Bear Ranch. You won't regret it. In fact, if you're like me, you'll want to make it an annual event and bring all your best friends. But words don't do it justice. You have to experience it yourself--then try to find words to review it. I dare ya! If you need to push life's reset button, Spotted Bear is your answer.

Those of you who know me know I don't drop five star reviews easily. This place is pristine. Fishing is unbelievable - no less than 20-40 native beautiful cutties a day, our guide was Kyle and the is amazing. Food is 5 Star, not kidding. Staff was amazing - Lauren was great. Amazing time. Will be back, either to enjoy or purchase it. 😉

Spotted Bear Ranch is America’s best hidden gem when it comes to adventure and top shelf lodging. My wife and I have been blessed to stay at Spotted Bear for two years in a row. The food is out of this world and the chefs bring michelin star quality to the back country. The entire staff is made up of the highest quality people you can find. Each of them is also highly skilled in their craft whether it’s hunting, fishing, horses, or hospitality. The fishing is world class and the guides do an excellent job teaching you how to successfully catch the native trout that call this river their home. The bear hunting is also great. This area has some of the highest bear densities and you are in fresh bear sign everyday you’re hunting.

Absolutely excellent! Great place, 55 miles in the back country. The staff were friendly and amazing. The accommodations were terrific. The food was out of this world. My guide, Kyle, was on point! Caught lots of Cutthroat. Great experience. I hope to do it again.

Some of the guides were good. Some, not so good. Wouldn't let us touch any fish not even for a photo. My son's guide was vaping in his raft and blowing the smoke right back in his face.