Rocking Z Ranch | Montana

There are two guest buildings. Referred to as the Lower and Upper, because one is up a small rise. Both buildings have four en-suite rooms, all possessing their own natural gas fireplace. Each room is named after a local historical figure. The Upper Building is attached to the guest laundry facility and the outdoor hot tub, and has a view of the mountains of field. The Lower Building has air-conditioning, and overlooks several of the horse corrals. All rooms have extra-long beds, to accommodate tall people. Each room has its own seating area.

Meals are generally taken in the old ranch lodge or outside if weather permits. They always have gluten-free and Lactose-free options and can cater to many other food specifications. Desserts are fresh pies and cakes. During most weeks there will be a wagon ride and cook-out with great Dutch Oven cooking and a campfire. They have either Tetley’s or PG tips tea as well as a range of herbal options.

Rocking Z Ranch pride themselves on matching horses and people to the best of their ability so that both the horse and rider are happy and comfortable.  Riding varies according to the desires of the people, the weather, and whether or not there is work that needs doing. Sometimes everyone joins in to move cattle, other times you will go for a long ride and eat lunch while out.

They operate at all speeds and only go head to tail when the trail demands it. With the open fields by the creek and the open ridges of the mountains, there are thousands of acres of land to ride over. When not riding out, lessons and games are offered near the ranch. Try barrel racing, or riding bareback, or learn roll-backs and western-style moves. They even have a grasshopper cross-country course to play with.

They regularly bring in cattle in order to work the horses and so that people can learn to work with the herd. Working cattle is vital to the way in which western horses are trained, and experiencing it is the best way to understand their way of riding while having a ton of fun.

After the excellent riding, you will find some really top class fishing. The Little Prickly Pear Creek runs directly through the property and is a beautiful fishing spot. It is not unusual to catch a 20 inch Brown Trout. The ranch have fishing equipment available but you will be required to get a fishing license from any local fishing shop.

Clay Pigeon Shooting with a 12 bore shotgun is a great way of experiencing the modern west! The ranch strive to offer a late afternoon shooting time each week.

Additionally, there are many trails to either go walking or hiking on the property.  You can spot Eagles, Sand-Hill Cranes and Blue Herons as well as killdeer and curlew and many more.  In the evening, a short walk can provide photo opportunities of hundreds of muley and whitetail deer foraging in the hay field or a moose along the creek. In addition, if you are very quiet, you can walk around and observe sign from beaver, muskrats, marmots, coyotes, fox, bear and, very rarely, mountain lions and wolves.

At the ranch buildings there is a saloon complete with a pool table as well as a backyard spot to hang out and relax and the large hot tub for a relaxing soak. During the heat of the day you are welcome to dip in the creek, which is quite clean and has a solid rock bottom. Some evenings  there might be a campfire or get together with stories, songs, or games.