Ride and Wild | A Hidden Gem

Day 1

Montana

Fly into Billings, Montana. Jump on the free shuttle to the Best Western Plus ClockTower Inn where you will begin to pick up the Western vibe and spend the evening.  Arrival into Billings must be on a Saturday as the ranch picks up on Sunday.

1 night Montana

Days 2-7

Montana to Lonesome Spur

Sunday

The ranch we have chosen is Lonesome Spur, inspiration for the book “The Horse Whisperer”. We have chosen this because of its authenticity, because of the friendliness of its owners, Lonnie & Elaine Schwend, because it caters to all abilities and because they offer the opportunity to camp out in the wilderness.

Lonesome Spur will collect you from your hotel for the 40-mile drive to the ranch. On the way there will be a stop at the Big R Western Outfitters to buy any necessities and also at Walmarts to stock up on any drinks or snacks you might need.  When you arrive, after the necessary completion of forms and an orientation, you will be fitted with your saddle before supper at the Local Bar & Grill.

A note about the riding:  As you will see there is a lot of riding involved so, although all abilities are catered for, you will need to be fairly fit.

Monday

From here on, the itinerary is fluid, depending on what is going on at the ranch but will give you a good idea of what to expect.

A suitable horse will be allocated to you and then a short ride to make sure you are comfortable with each other, then lunch.  After lunch you will set off for Cody and assuming your stay is between June 1^st and August 31^st, you will go to the famous Cody Nite Rodeo.  This is a really fun evening and unique to this part of the world. Dinner will be in Cody.  Neither dinner at the historic Buffalo Bill Irma Hotel nor the cost of the rodeo tickets are included in your holiday cost.

Tuesday

A full day ride to Cottonwood, a high desert area, to see the pictographs and the Weatherman draw which contains the largest collection of Native American rock art on the continent dating back over 1,000 years.

Wednesday

After breakfast, you and the horses will be trailered up to the Pryor Mountains from where you will ride to your overnight camp.  You will be provided with tents, (or you can sleep out under the stars if you prefer) sleeping bags and pads. You might be in the middle of nowhere but there is a bathroom with a hot shower!  Supper around the camp fire tonight – one for the memory bank.

Thursday

After a camp breakfast, another ride on the range, checking the cattle.  On the return journey you will call in to Chief Plenty Coups Museum where you will visit the log home and farmstead of Chief Plenty Coups of the Crow tribe and learn his remarkable story.  Home at the ranch in time for supper.

Friday

Another all-day ride. After an early supper head off to the Bear Creek Saloon Pig Races. Yes you read that right – place your bets !

6 nights in Lonesome Spur

Days 8-9

Lonesome Spur to Yellowstone National Park

Time to say goodbye to all your new friends and Lonesome Spur will take you back to Billings airport where you will collect your hire car for the drive to Yellowstone National Park.  You will spend your first two nights in the Mammoth Hot Springs area at the northern end of the Park so that you can explore Tower Falls, the Yellowstone Grand Canyon, the Lamar Valley where you will probably see the best of the wildlife and the Norris Geyser Basin.

2 nights North Yellowstone National Park

Days 10-11

Yellowstone National Park

Enjoy the slow drive through the park to the Southern side of the park where you will find the icon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, plus numerous other geysers, amazing views and colours.  You will spend two nights in this area of the park to allow you time to absorb its wonders.

2 nights South Yellowstone National Park

Days 12-13

Yellowstone National Park to Jackson Hole

The drive from Yellowstone to Jackson Hole is one of our favourites as you slowly go south and the Grand Teton Mountains appear on your right hand side and then accompany you all the way into Jackson Hole.  We have included two nights here, but if you have time and enjoy outdoor activities, we suggest you add in an extra night or two.

Downtown Jackson is a lively and charming area with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Browse the boutiques, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, or catch a live music performance at one of the local bars or one of a variety of events and festivals that happen during the summer such as the Jackson Hole Rodeo, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and the Jackson Hole Arts Festival.

To entice you to stay, we will mention just a few of the outdoor adventures available on your doorstep. Jackson Hole is a paradise for hikers and backpackers, with trails ranging from easy strolls, on very well-maintained paths, to challenging summits like the hike to the top of Snow King Mountain for panoramic views of the Teton Range. Multi-day backpacking trips into the backcountry are also on offer. Jackson Hole is also a haven for mountain bikers, with trails that cater to all levels of experience. Take a leisurely ride through the valley or challenge yourself on the more technical trails in the Tetons. If it is an adrenaline rush you need, whitewater rafting is a must-do activity in Jackson Hole. Paddle down the Snake River through Class II, III, and IV rapids, surrounded by stunning scenery.

2 nights Jackson Hole

Days 14-15

Days 14-15

Jackson Hole to Thermopolis

Time to leave Jackson and head for the lesser-known part of the state of Wyoming. You are going to spend two nights in Thermopolis. All your friends will have heard of Yellowstone, but few will know of the Hot Springs State Park which has almost as many hot springs as Yellowstone but half the visitors.  Soak in the rejuvenating waters of the State Bathhouse and Spa, discover the dinosaurs at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center including the Thermopolis T-Rex and surround yourself with the towering sandstone cliffs and springs and at the end of the day relax among some of the historic buildings which gave Thermopolis its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

2 nights Thermopolis

Day 16

Thermopolis to Montana

Time for the three-hour drive back to Billings and your return flight. Depending on the time of your departure, you might want to add a final night in Billings, if so, please let us know.