Experience the Finest in Montana Horseback Riding
No image is more closely tied to the Old West than that of the horse. That’s why we make horseback rides into the backcountry a primary activity here at Covered Wagon Ranch. There’s no substitute for the feeling you get when you head out for Montana horseback riding in the mountains or backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. You’ll be guided by experienced wranglers who know the Custer-Gallatin and Madison ranges, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and Yellowstone Park very well, from wildflowers to wildlife.
Covered Wagon Ranch horses will take very good care of you, too. Many of our excellent horses were raised on the ranch, and they know how to ride with everyone from beginners to experienced hands. When you arrive, you’ll be matched with the right horse that’s yours for the entire visit, then you decide whether the day brings a high-alpine wildflowers or through open meadows. We have an arena on ranch and can even give lessons on Monday 10-11AM to horse beginners. We offer half or full day rides. We do not offer rides day of arrival or day of departure.
The Covered Wagon Ranch proudly operates with a Special Use Permit on the Custer Gallatin National Forest. We also are privileged to provide guided horseback rides into Yellowstone National Park (beginning July 1st each season) under a Concessionaires Permit through the National Park Service.
NOTE: We only offer rides to our overnight ranch guests, we are not a day use riding facility.
Half or Full Day Horseback Rides
Each morning at breakfast Kurt makes his way through the Lodge asking everyone what they want to do for the day: guided riding, guided hiking, guided fly fishing, or simply relaxing on ranch. Riders choose a half day or full day rides. We do not offer afternoon rides. Morning rides are about 2 hours, and full day rides are from 3-6 hours. Mondays we only offer lunch rides due to getting everyone matched up with their horses. There is no lunch served on ranch on Mondays (everyone has a sack lunch) including non-riders. Please note we do not offer the option to go on an AM ride, come back to the ranch, and go on a PM ride or ride out on the trail and come back and ride in the arena. These things sour our horses and our horse’s happiness is very important to us. If your desire is to ride a full day, choose the full day ride, you won’t regret it, and lunch on the trail is fabulous! Monday: Short full day only option 10ish to 1-3PM Tuesday-Friday All day or AM Ride. We do not offer afternoon rides.
Our horseback rides are designed to showcase the breathtaking backcountry of Montana, in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, and Yellowstone National Park. Our trails take you through mountain terrain, forests, open meadows, river crossings, and rugged country where safety, scenery, and the experience takes priority. Because of the terrain and our commitment to both horse and rider safety, we do not offer trotting or loping rides. If your goal is to gallop across open fields or spend much of your ride at faster gaits, we may not be the best fit and happy to direct you to ranches that would fit you better. However, if you’re looking for an authentic Western horseback experience on well-trained horses while taking in incredible mountain views, abundant wildlife, and some of the most beautiful country Montana has to offer, you’ll feel right at home at Covered Wagon Ranch.
You will be asked about your riding experience when you book. Beginner, never been on a horse or ridden fewer than five times. Novice, ridden a few times, maybe on vacation each year and on very broke horses. Intermediate, ridden regularly, grew up riding and/or taken lessons or own their own horses. Experienced, own, train or raise horses, compete or have ridden most of your life and are comfortable on any type of horse green or finished.
Return guests usually have an idea of where they want to go, but Kurt can also choose a ride you’re sure to enjoy. We tailor each ride to your preferences and experience, trying to cater to everyone’s abilities. If you have never rode a horse, we ask that you get a few lessons before arriving to the ranch due to the mountain terrain we ride in. All rides are guided. We do not offer 1:1 wrangler to guest riding. We keep our groups small with 4-6 people in a group.
New guests meet at the barn Monday morning at 8:45AM for horse orientation and get setup on horses. Morning and full day rides generally go out between 9:30-10:00AM. Mondays we pack a sack lunch because we generally are a little later getting out due to getting everyone matched up with their horses. While all rides are filled with dramatic, pristine views of the countryside, the perennial favorite is the full day ride with unforgettable views of the Rocky Mountains while enjoying a trail-side lunch returning anywhere for 1-4PM.
Learn more by watching our riding Video!
July Only 2-Night Pack Trips (Tuesday-Thursday)
Experience nature not just away from the city,
but in its most raw and spectacular form; the heart of the wilderness!
As part of your stay at the Covered Wagon Ranch, you may want to add a two-night pack trip to your adventure. Our Montana pack trips into the stunning backcountry of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest will take you on the journey of a lifetime. Departing by horseback, we will climb mountain ridges, cross the cool crystal creeks and streams of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, and travel through lush alpine meadows before reaching camp.
Our campsites are comfortable and picturesque. You will sleep warm and soundly inside your canvas wall tent or beneath a blanket of stars. Then in the morning, be awakened by the warm sun tickling your nose and the smell of freshly brewed coffee on the fire. Camp is an excellent place to relax and soak up the wonder of God’s Country. Spend your time exploring the wilds of the wilderness by horseback. If you are a writer, bring your journal; if you paint, bring your canvas. Perhaps you appreciate your surroundings through photography, or simply reading. Whatever your pleasure, camp life on our Montana pack trips will clear your mind, invigorate your spirit and provide you with plenty of time to indulge and challenge yourself.
We maintain our tradition of personal attention to each guest by keeping our pack trips small (no more than four people, and a minimum of two people). Due to Montana’s terrain, we require novice/intermediate riders and a minimum of 12 years old. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to dietary restrictions on pack trips. If adding a pack trip, you must book as a guided rate and book a pack trip at time of making ranch reservation. We limit our trips to one per week, departing on Tuesday and returning on Thursday. $800 per person will be added to the regular cost of your stay. A soft sided duffle bag weighing less than 25 pounds per person is required. A Pack Trip packing list can be provided after booking.
Covered Wagon Ranch & Puckett Performance & Ranch Horses
Looking to purchase a horse? Covered Wagon Ranch and Puckett Performance and Ranch Horses- raise, train, and sell performance, ranch, and trail horses from weanlings to seasoned ones and everything in between. One thing is for sure we know horses! Give us a call to see if we have the perfect match for you! 406-995-4237
We have everything from weanlings to finished ranch horses and performance prospects for sale ranging in price from $5K-$45K
What our Guests Have to Say:
Amazing vacation! We went out to the Covered Wagon Ranch for a week in July, and had an incredible time! The vacation started with a 3 day pack trip up in the mountains with three CWR guides, and it was just amazing. We were in a wilderness area, but the camp was really comfortable, and our guides cooked delicious food and made sure we were always taken care of. We experienced all the fun and charms of camping, including seeing 200 elk run through camp, amazing views of Montana mountains, and eating and sharing stories around the campfire. It was truly an adventure, and we had a blast.