There is nothing more delightful than a destination that artfully weaves together the unexpected and Lone Mountain Ranch is one such place. The experience is pure dude ranch all the way, but the creature comforts are surprisingly ultra-luxe. In between, you have what General Manager Paul Robertson says is “everything money can’t buy.” By that, he means history, heritage, and location.
The location is arguably Lone Mountain’s best feature. Tucked into the heart of Big Sky Montana, the nearly 150-acre ranch is 18 miles from the west entrance to Yellowstone--perfectly positioned to allow guests year-round access to all that Yellowstone and Big Sky’s ski resort have to offer. The ranch history spans over a century, most of which was spent in use as a dude ranch. Founded in 1915, the original owner, Clarence Lytle, operated it as a working cattle ranch. Indeed, most of the ranch’s current accommodations were hand built by Lytle. In 2006 the ranch was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is in the final phases of a complete update and renovation under the stewardship of Makar Properties. The property is also listed as one of only 45 of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World.
While the luxurious redesign is gorgeous, and the meals (Wagyu ribeye, local steelhead trout, from-scratch pastries) are nothing short of fine dining, the unexpected really comes in the form of the people at the ranch. Most of the guides, wranglers, and specialists onsite have a long history in the Big Sky area. They know Montana; they know Yellowstone; they know the wildlife, and it is their fascinating stories and devotion to the land that make the destination come alive.
Consider our drift boat fishing trip (booked through the property's on-site fly fishing outfitter) which is not just a chance to float on the Yellowstone—it’s also a pristine platform for spying wildlife. Our guide John McKinnie notes that he prefers this river because of its seclusion and its reputation as paradise (Jimmy Buffet's song Cheeseburger in Paradise actually pays homage to this slice of wilderness). When we weren’t sneaking up on a 16-inch rainbow trout, we were witness to soaring eagles and running deer. All the while McKinnie quietly narrates the ride with suggestions on casting, a history of the area, the local trout, and the sustainability issues for the Yellowstone River.
Trail rides proved to be just as illuminating. During one ride with the head wrangler, I learned about all of the native flower species, which she points out throughout the ride. Later, on an evening ride, we encounter two different bear species and two deer and their fawns. Continue reading...
However, the ultimate experience was our day long tour of the lower loop in Yellowstone with 15-year ranch employee Randy Hall (who is the penultimate tour guide for just about everything else in the area as well). Hall drove us on an inspiring odyssey of wildlife and geothermal wonders, filling our minds with his encyclopedic knowledge of the park, Indian lore, explorers, plants, and wildlife. His love for the area, and for Lone Mountain Ranch, is palpable and in his authentic way he sums up the ranching experience best: “Overall of the decades Lone Mountain Ranch has remained true to one thing: serving the guests--no matter who owned it or what changes were made, it always came back to serving the public.”
The Details: Lone Mountain Ranch, 800-514-4644, 750 Lone Mountain Ranch Road, Big Sky, Montana
