10 Western Ranches Where You Can Live Like You’re on Yellowstone
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Throughout its five season run, Yellowstone has influenced our fashion choices and our TV watchlists (how many Taylor Sheridan productions are currently in your queue?), our second home dreams and most definitely our vacation plans. The hit series’ cinematic portrayal of a certain way of life—cowboys, horses, expansive vistas, unspoiled beauty—has arguably been its greatest asset. It’s no wonder the Dutton family has gone to such violent lengths to protect their Montana ranch from turning into a ski resort. With Yellowstone now in its final stretch, the days of vicariously living la vita Dutton may be dwindling, but the fantasy of the west is as appealing as ever. And it lives on in a number of western ranches that offer a taste of the frontier—but make it luxury, of course. Below, 10 of our favorite escapes in Montana and beyond to keep your Yellowstone dreams alive.
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana
One of the OGs in the luxury ranch space, the Ranch at Rock Creek also happened to be a favorite post-filming vacation spot for Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly. There are 31 accommodations on the 6,600-acre property, which range from glamping canvas cabins to suites in the main lodge to freestanding homes to even a remodeled 19th-century barn. And like most of these luxury ranches out west, this is an all-inclusive resort in every senes of the word: farm-to-table meals, premium alcohol, and dozens of activities, including wildlife tours, art classes, stockmanship and frontier skills workshops, sapphire mining, fishing, biking, you get the idea.
Sage Lodge, Montana
Located just 35 minutes from Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley and nestled in the shadow of majestic Emigrant Peak, Sage Lodge is a rural haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Activities include llama treks, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours, skiing and snowboarding, rafting, rock climbing, biking, yoga, stargazing, and, of course, exploring America’s first national park. The spa will be a godsend after a long day of sport and adventure—so will unwinding with a glass of wine and taking in the panoramic views from one of the property’s two restaurants.
Triple C Ranch by Cuvée, Colorado
Anyone even remotely familiar with Yellowstone will know that the Duttons have never taken kindly to strangers—or sharing. So to truly channel their way of life, only a private, standalone ranch decked out in wood-burning fireplaces and antlered chandeliers may do. Enter: Triple C Ranch, owned by luxury villa rental company Cuvée. Located just 90 minutes from Denver, the sprawling 250-acre property has room for an intimate group of 12. A number of Yellowstone-worthy experiences are included with rentals, from horseback riding, ATVs, archery, fly fishing in the summers, and snowmobiling in the winter. You’ll also have your own private chef (no, he isn’t named Gator) to whip up regional specialties like local bison short rib and smoked trout canapés.
Sorrel River Ranch, Utah
Sorrel River Ranch enjoys the distinction as the only luxury resort in Moab, the Utah city rich in national parks (Arches and Canyonlands) and otherworldly landscapes. What’s more, the property itself is on 240 acres that hug the Colorado River and afford some of the most incredible—and up-close—views in town of those iconic sandstone buttes and mesas. For the most intrepid of travelers, the best way to take in all the sights may be from 10,000 feet in the air: the hotel has a skydiving experience that takes off from Canyonlands Airport and lands you directly onto resort grounds. Acrophobics, fear not: there is plenty more to do, from UTV tours to sunset horseback rides.
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
Hidden in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, Dunton Hot Springs was an 1800s ghost town turned cattle ranch that languished for years before someone saw its potential as a luxury destination. With just 13 log cabin accommodations on 1,600 acres of land, this is as close to the private ranch dream as you might get—with all the amenities and perks of a 5-star resort. And true to its name, you can add natural mineral hot springs to the long list of requisite western activities. As far as the celebrity cred goes, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins married fellow Hollywood scion Charlie McDowell in an intimate ceremony at the property.
Lone Mountain Ranch, Montana
Located in picturesque Big Sky, Montana, about an hour north of Yellowstone National Park, Lone Mountain Ranch is the real deal. First homesteaded in 1915, the rugged 148-acre property has been around long before the area—and luxury ranches—became popular. Authentic charm can be found everywhere, from the 27 historic log cabins to the locally grown, on-the-range fare served at its restaurant Horn & Cantle. Expect all the requisite ranch activities, along with naturalist-guided tours of Yellowstone and proximity to Big Sky Resort for miles of ski trails. Guests now also have dibs into the Auric Room, Lone Mountain’s new members’ only club.
Triple Creek Ranch, Montana
As a Relais & Châteaux property, Triple Creek Ranch is one of the most romantic destinations in the country, with impeccable hospitality and excellent food and wine. Best of all, it’s adults only. Nestled in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, which is also where the real Dutton ranch is located, Triple Creek has 25 beautifully appointed accommodations—each with a wood-burning fireplace and hot tub—and tons of things to do, including dog sledding, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, cattle drives, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, trap shooting, and nature safaris.
Brush Creek Ranch, Wyoming
As far as luxury ranches go, the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, is top of the line. (It’s also where Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner held their second wedding.) There are just 44 keys, ranging from lodge rooms to 3-bedroom residences, on a 30,000-acre plot of gorgeous land. From rock climbing, archery, golf, and fly fishing to ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, there are plenty of activities for every season. For foodies, the Farm at Brush Creek offers cooking classes, wine tastings, distillery tours, and multi-course meals featuring the ranch’s own American Wagyu.
More: The Best Room At... The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch
Resort at Paws Up, Montana
With 37,000 acres of land, the Resort at Paws Up may as well be its—or rather, your—own mini national park. There is no main lodge or visitors’ center. No traipsing down carpeted hallways to reach your room. Instead there are 28 luxury homes and 36 tricked out glamping tents dispersed throughout the property. A spate of activities make great use of this massive nature playground—horseback riding, fly fishing, mountain biking, private cattle drives, cow croquet (which is exactly what it sounds like), skijoring (horse-pulled skiing), dog sledding, lessons in the state-of-the-art equestrian center, paintball, archery, rappelling, the list goes on.
The Green O, Montana
A few years ago, the Resort at Paws Up debuted an adults-only sister property, the Green O, which is nestled along the edge of the main ranch’s 37,000-acre grounds but might as well be in another world. Just 12 standalone, glass-walled houses are scattered in the woods, each one furnished with a hot tub and surrounded by nothing but towering pines. It’s remote, yes, but not too remote. You will be walking distance to the main house, where chef Brandon Cunningham leads an incredible dining program. Plus, you still get full access to all of the activities available at Paws Up.
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