The Blacktail Ranch

I came here on a work trip with about 10 other coworkers and I have to say, it was one of my favorite vacations yet. Everyone who works on the ranch is so accommodating and sweet. They really made it feel like home away from home. Their ranch is located on a huge piece of property with the most gorgeous views of landscapes and wildlife. They have some of the sweetest ranch cats and dogs, and 40 horses on-site for all the trail rides you could ask for. From the skeet shooting, to the side-by-side rides, every activity was so much fun! Although I'm not very experienced in most of these sports, I felt safe and well taken care of. They definitely keep you well fed with delicious meals all day, every day. I would also like to give Lana a special shout-out. She took GREAT care of us the second we arrived. Not only was she so gracious, she was also a lovely person to have great conversations with over an early-morning cup of coffee. I can't wait to come back with family and friends. Thank you all so much for creating such beautiful memories for us all!

My husband and I arrived in Montana a few days early to avoid potential airline issues and toured Glacier National Park. We were picked up at the airport by Scott, who was very personable and happy to share area info and to take our group of 6 to the liquor store and grocery store prior to the ~1hour drive out to the ranch. I had been to Blacktail about 28 years prior and was hoping to relive a dream vacation. Blacktail delivered in every aspect. They were very clear in their planned schedules, but open to accommodating the group's desires. With the 3 buffet style meals a day, if you're ever hungry, it is completely on you! :) All of the food was wonderful with several choices available to suit any dietary restrictions/preferences. The cabins were clean, quaint and comfortable. The view, even at the home camp, is beautiful, with deer on the front lawn every morning to greet you and possible eagle sightings from your front porch. Lana, the event coordinator, made sure that we were comfortable and all of our needs were taken care of. The rest of the guests present during our stay were also very warm and friendly, and we made new friends with the other 4 Divide riders, who happened to be picked up at the airport with us. If you do any or all of the twice daily offered rides (all are optional), there are magnificent views and sightseeing gems in every single one of them. And you may encounter all sorts of wildlife (birds, deer, elk, moose, coyotes, bears, etc). The view from the top of the Continental Divide is breathtaking. They have horses for every rider and ability, from novice to more experienced riders. The wranglers that I had experience with (Will, Shania, Sidney) were all wonderful and Sidney and her dog, Juno, kept the group safe and calm when we accidentally encountered a mama black bear with her 2 cubs. The wrangler dogs were all 5 star too, and Juno probably saved us some problems with a bear. The wrangler dogs are REALLY well behaved and useful for safe and successful rides. Will and Parker wrangled for us for our Continental Divide ride. We were fortunate that Mother Nature was cooperative and we had fair weather and clear skies, so the view was amazing. Be forewarned though, because a wise Divide rider should go up there with warm rain gear because the the wind/temps up there at probably 5000+ feet are going to be much more severe than in the valley below and no one has control of the weather. But if you are fortunate enough to have good weather like we did, the view is incomparable. The rides straight up and down the sides of the mountains to get there are probably going to be the most challenging things even an experienced rider has ever done (wish I had thought to bring a GoPro to attach to my hat), but my non-riding husband was able to do it on one of their sure-footed horses. Probably will be a while before I can do this again, just due my work situation and cost (me problem). But for that $500/day/person I paid to stay at 5 point cabin, I got 3 meals a day cooked for me, room and board, 6-10 hours a day of saddle time (Divide ride day was loooong), great camaraderie with the other guests, and a lot of inner peace time. I can go back to work now, recharged with this wonderful experience and rest. I can't recommend this place enough.

The Blacktail Ranch is a complete gem. Their staff make the experience so unique, warm and inviting. The property is stunning with such rich history. Thank you all!

A Slice of Heaven at Blacktail Ranch If you're looking for a relaxing, soul-nourishing vacation, look no further than Blacktail Ranch. This magical place offers the perfect balance of adventure and tranquility—you can do as much or as little as you want, and either way, you'll leave feeling refreshed and connected to nature. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms and warm hospitality. As a strict vegan, I offered to bring my own food, but the Blacktail team wouldn’t hear of it—they insisted on providing delicious, plant-based meals just for me. And let me tell you, every single meal was amazing! The horses are stunning—gentle, well-behaved, and clearly well cared for. We were each thoughtfully paired with a horse for the week, and that personal connection made every ride even more special. My sweet boy Sampson stole my heart, and I already can’t wait to ride with him again. The wranglers, Sydney and Shania, were truly exceptional. These two young women are not only skilled and knowledgeable, but also deeply passionate about their work. Their love for the horses, the land, and the people shines through in everything they do. They made us feel completely safe and confident, while still ensuring we had an absolute blast. We especially loved that their dogs joined us on every ride—Juno and Nellie quickly became part of the family! We were also incredibly lucky to ride alongside Lana into the Continental Divide. This woman is radiant—beautiful inside and out—and it was such a blessing to share time and stories with her on the trail. Blacktail Ranch is family-owned, and that personal touch is evident in every interaction. Sandra is a phenomenal host who truly understands how to make her guests feel welcome and cared for. We also had the pleasure of meeting Will and Haelee, who were both kind and engaging even though they weren’t our wranglers. And then there’s Scott—what a gem! From introducing us to the horses on day one to helping my husband spot more wildlife than he could have dreamed of, Scott was a highlight of the trip. He’s friendly, knowledgeable, and absolutely hilarious. The friendships we formed and the sense of peace we found at Blacktail Ranch made this one of the most memorable vacations we’ve ever had. We are already counting down the days until we can return next year. Thank you, Blacktail Ranch, for an unforgettable experience—and a special shoutout to my favorite trail buddy, Sampson. See you soon, beautiful boy! Laurie & Brian

We enjoyed everything about our stay at Blacktail Ranch. The minute we got there, there was an immediate connection with the Hostess Lana, who was ready to show us around and get us settled. The cabin we stayed in was more comfy than I could have imagined. They served three delicious homemade meals a day. The wranglers took care of all the horses’ needs, they also saddled them anytime any of us wanted to ride. They took us on rides around the ranch with spectacular views. We did some skeet shooting, went on a guided boat ride down the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark had traveled, sat by the fire at night and were entertained by a fire dancer, had a guided tour through a historical cave that was on the ranch. All in all it was the best vacation for my soul that I have ever had. I would highly recommend a visit to the Blacktail Ranch if you are looking for a place to get away and get in touch with your soul. The Hostess, Wranglers, Cooks and Owners were exceptional.