Melissa Hoyer
‘Yellowstone’ is back – and nearly two years after the wildly popular modern Western last aired an episode, it delivered its biggest first-night audience ever with 16.4 million viewers. For travelers who truly want to experience Montana and Yellowstone National Park beyond the series’ final season, here are eight destinations and tours that offer days filled with adventure, from cycling to skiing, rafting and, of course, hiking and horseback riding at dude ranches.
Gravel Riding, Ranch Stay: With The Cycling House, explore Montana’s backcountry on two wheels from the comfort of a charming ranch along the Blackfoot River. Ride primarily on double-track dirt roads, through beautiful valleys, to small towns and high on the spectacular Great Divide, with challenging climbs and fun descents. Back at the ranch, there’s yoga on the patio, a soak in the hot tub, and chef-prepared meals featuring locally sourced ingredients. There’s even an all-women version of the trip. https://thecyclinghouse.com/trip/montana-gravel-trip/
Yellowstone Ranch Getaway: Discover the natural beauty of America’s first protected landscapes – Yellowstone National Park and the Shoshone National Forest – from the comfort of Blackwater Creek Lodge & Guest Ranch outside the cowboy town of Cody, Wyoming. While there, enjoy horseback riding and hiking amid open meadows, forested hills and mountainous terrain, archery and sport shooting in a safe and fun environment, fly fishing the murmuring waters of Blackwater Creek and the Shoshone River, as well as off-ranch excursions like whitewater rafting, visits to Cody and the Cody Nite Rodeo, and touring the spectacular landscapes of Yellowstone. https://www.blackwatercreekranch.com/
Big Sky Adventures: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for active excursions on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Ski and snowboard Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain in winter, hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, or experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking in summer, and explore the natural wonders and wildlife of the park in any season. Afterward, enjoy Montana fare at the upscale yet casual Block 3 Kitchen & Bar on site or burgers, sandwiches and entertainment at Tips Up. https://thewilsonhotel.com/
Cowboy Up in Central Montana:Settle in at the Circle Bar Ranch in central Montana for horseback riding and other classic dude ranch adventures in country once roamed by famed cowboy painter Charlie Russell. On the ranch’s 520 acres and nearby national forest land, ride a trusty steed through open prairies, across the Judith River or up a ridge for a breakfast cookout, go hiking, try fly fishing, sport shooting or 3D archery, or take a UTV tour to a Yogo sapphire mine. At the end of the day, enjoy traditional ranch recipes and locally inspired dishes, and cozy accommodations in a historic cabin, the lodge or Ranch House. https://www.circlebarranch.com/
Explore Yellowstone and Glacier by RV: Discover the natural beauty of Yellowstone and Glacier national parks and more at your own pace and experience the great outdoors like never before with the comfort and convenience of a new Winnebago RV. Based in Bozeman, Montana, Blacksford’s luxury RVs and camper vans are low-mileage and impeccably maintained, ensuring a safe and worry-free trip. Blacksford offers flexible pickup and drop-off times, all the amenities needed for a fantastic vacation and support to ensure a seamless rental experience. https://www.blacksford.com/yellowstone-rv-rentals
Saddle and Paddle Yellowstone: Flying Pig Adventures’ three-day Yellowstone tour gives guests the opportunity to experience the national park like never before. The thrill of witnessing one of nature’s most iconic environments, tackling rough terrain on horseback and battling class III rapids cannot be found anywhere else. From fly fishing to horseback rides and Yellowstone whitewater rafting, guests will be talking about their unique experience for years to come. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/3-day-yellowstone-adventure
Cycle Glacier National Park: The Big Sky meets big smiles on Escape Adventures’ epic Glacier National Park cycling trip. Based in Montana’s 1,583-square-mile Glacier National Park, with its 375 historic properties plus six historic landmarks, riders will bike into some of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Going-to-the-Sun Road. At each stop and each slow pass, guests will learn a little more about the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/montana-glacier-national-park/
Glamping Retreat: At Ranchlands’ 80,000-acre Paintrock Canyon Ranch in the Bighorn Mountains, guests will immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike and experience the natural world in this unique landscape. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers, and chairs. Meals are prepared by a private chef and incorporate Ranchlands beef, local produce, and dairy whenever possible. The ranch makes a great base camp for a Yellowstone National Park adventure. https://ranchlands.com/pages/explore-the-paintrock-canyon-ranch
About Yellowstone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_(American_TV_series)
