Package rate includes pre and post-ranch lodging and meals. Recommended staff gratuity (12-18%) and tax not included. Age limit 10 years; Limited to 10 participants in good physical condition (minimum 6 participants per trip)
PAYMENT: We request 1/2 of the total charges to secure your vacation within 10 days of the request. Deposit must be sent within 10 days of request, or forfeiture may result. The balance of payment is due 30 days before the trip, preferably by check. If using Visa/or MasterCard, a 2.5% convenience fee will be added. Groups: We can customize exclusive pack trips, but require a minimum party size of 8.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If a cancellation must occur, 50% of the deposit will be refunded before January 1st. After January 1st, deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. **We highly recommend trip insurance in case of cancellation—contact: https://www.montanaoutfitters.org/travelersinsurance/ or Travel Guard at 877-249-5376 or www.travelguard.com. If you choose to decline purchasing travel insurance, please understand that there are no exceptions to our cancellation policy. Any changes made to your reservation after booking that result in a decrease in the number of participants sacrifice their portion of the deposit.
Check in in the afternoon on arrival day.
Check out before 10:00 a.m. on departure day.
TRANSPORTATION: Transfer to/from the Great Falls International Airport or a Great Falls hotel. Round-trip: $100 per person. We provide transportation as per the following schedule only:
Arrival: We typically pick up guests between 12:30 to 1:30 pm and will depart Great Falls no later than 2:00 pm on arrival day. Call beforehand for a meeting time and place. Please make your flight arrival before 2:00 pm.
Departure: The JJJ van will leave the Ranch around 9:30 am on departure day, arriving in Great Falls around 11:30 am. Please make sure the flight is after noon on departure day.
If your itinerary must fall outside this schedule, you can arrange to stay in one of Great Falls’ many motels the night before, or after your trip. We can help with hotel referrals. *Because airlines often overbook flights, causing some guests’ arrival delays, it may be wise to arrive in Great Falls the day before. If your flight arrives late, or you have an early flight out on departure day, you must rent a car.
Complete our Pack-trip Eligibility Form
2025 WILDERNESS TRIPS
Bob Marshall Wilderness pack trips are limited in number and size each year in coordination with the Forest Service and Wilderness rules.
TRIP 1: NORTH FORK OF THE SUN RIVER – JUNE 22 – 27, 2025; 4 trail days, 2 ranch nights, $3000 plus tax per person plus tax ** FULL **
This trip heads out from the Ranch, riding along Gibson Reservoir and traveling into the heart of the Sun River Valley, camping along Glenn Creek, a fast-flowing stream originating on the slopes of Sheep Mountain. It’s a fisherman’s paradise with Rainbow, Brook, and Cutthroat trout abound. Head out on a hike, relax, and read a book at camp, or join in on scenic day rides to Bear Top Fire Lookout or Gates Park Ranger Station. Thursday takes us back to the ranch up and over Elk Hill, where you get another awesome 360-degree view, getting back in the late afternoon. There will be stories at dinner tonight! This trip is designed for fly fishing and wildlife watching.
TRIP 2: SOUTH FORK OF DEEP CREEK – JULY 2 – 8, 2025 – 5 trail days, 2 ranch nights, $3600 plus tax per person plus tax ** FULL **
This trip travels north from the Ranch into the south end of Deep Creek area, riding over Blacktail Creek with a fantastic top of the world view. The following layover day offers a great riding opportunity to overlook the plains on the Rocky Mountain Front. We’ll move camp west deeper into the wilderness, another 12 miles to the Sun River valley, camping next to Biggs Creek. Biggs Creek offers fantastic fishing, hiking, or a scenic day ride to Bear Top Fire Lookout. On the return to the ranch, we ride to the top of Elk Hill, where you can see for miles, along the scenic Gibson Lake.
TRIP 3: SOUTH FORK OF THE SUN RIVER – JULY 13 – 18, 2025 – 4 trail days, 2 ranch nights, $3000 plus tax per person plus tax *space available*
Heading out from the Ranch and riding along Gibson Reservoir, we travel into the heart of the South Fork of the Sun River Valley. This valley is unique for its expansive meadows rimmed by snow-capped peaks. We’ll camp along the river near Windfall Creek, exploring the surrounding country on subsequent layover days. Highlights include Pretty Prairie, the West Fork salt licks where elk come in, and a trip to Bear Lake. Wonderful hiking trails and great flyfishing opportunities abound. Thursday takes us back to the Ranch, wrapping around Sun Butte with tremendous views up the North Fork of the Sun River. This trip is designed for wildlife watching, fly fishing, scenic day rides, and hiking.
TRIP 4: DEEP CREEK TO BIGGS CREEK WILDERNESS LOOP – July 27-August 3, 2025; 5 trail days, 2 ranch nights, $4200 plus tax ** FULL **
This loop trip heads north of the Ranch into the beautiful Deep Creek area in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. We ride 13 miles over Blacktail Creek Pass through aspens, lodgepole pine, and spruce trees with frequent scenic vistas and wonderful meadows. The following layover day offers great riding to the mouth of Deep Creek overlooking the plains on the Rocky Mountain Front. Day 3 moves camp west deeper into the wilderness, camping next to Biggs Creek. This spectacular wide-open mountain valley is rimmed by mountain peaks that look to the Continental Divide and is home to the Sun River elk herd and other wildlife. Biggs Creek offers fantastic fishing, hiking, or a scenic day ride to Bear Top Fire Lookout. Friday takes us through the North Fork of the Sun River valley, riding to the top of Elk Hill where you can see for miles, and then along Gibson Lake, returning to the Ranch in the late afternoon.
TRIP 5: NORTH FORK TRIP – August 10-15, 2025; 4 trail days, 2 ranch nights, $3000 **FULL** This private custom trip is designed to maximize fly fishing opportunities along the Sun River and include fantastic day rides.
NOTE: We reserve the right to change the day-to-day itinerary for weather, wildfires, rider ability, and unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Children must be at least 10 years old and physically capable of riding long days in the saddle. Due to the nature of horseback riding in the wilderness, participants MUST be in good physical condition, and trips are not recommended if any health or physical issues exist or if you require a special diet. While we carry a satellite phone for emergencies, it is difficult to bring someone out of a trip to seek medical attention. The emergency helicopter is costly and is for emergencies only. We also have the right to exclude a rider from a trip for inability to ride or behavior that endangers the other riders or the horses.
