At the end of the road, bordered by the Blackfoot River and miles of backcountry wilderness, The Cliff Ranch offers a truly remarkable array of outdoor activities.
Hiking
From the front door of the ranch there are over a dozen trails and routes of different lengths and challenges. Whether a scenic walk along the Blackfoot River, a 10-mile hike up and over Blacktail Mountain or an invigorating trail run — it all can be done right from your front door and you’ll have it all to yourself. Further afield (one hour drive or less), you’ll find adventurous trails with alpine lakes and snowcapped peaks in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Swan Range and Mission Mountains.
Horseback Riding
Silently guiding your horse along the base of the cliffs or beside the river is a quintessential Montana experience. With over 10,000 acres to explore, the Cliff Ranch and surrounding backcountry is a horseback riding paradise.
Small group rides ensure you won’t be riding in a line, and there are opportunities for all skill levels. Children as young as six years old can experience riding with our wranglers in the riding arena.
For adults and kids wanting to learn more about horsemanship, we encourage our riders to help out with the grooming and feeding and helping our wranglers get “trail ready”.
Fly Fishing
Some may come to the Ranch for no other reason than to fish. We are here for you! Fishing on the Blackfoot River and the other rivers and streams of Western Montana is legendary and, while there are many options, nothing is more satisfying than spending a quiet morning fishing the deep holes and productive riffles directly on the ranch. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of fish per mile in the Blackfoot, many of which are trophy sized browns, rainbows and even bull trout. Our ranch ponds are ideal for those just learning to fly cast and for kids to experience the excitement and joy of catching, holding and releasing a beautiful cutthroat or rainbow. The ranch is equipped with fly rods and gear for no extra charge.
Fly fishing enthusiasts may also choose to book an extended day float on the Blackfoot with a knowledgeable guide giving you the best opportunity to catch a trophy fish.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the Ranch and surrounding backcountry lands. There are miles of trails and old logging roads requiring little technical mountain biking skills. Trail loops start right from the ranch homestead and can take you from four to fifteen miles or more. Many of the shorter trails are flat while longer routes require some climbing. For gravel bike enthusiasts, the Ranch is surrounded by hundreds of miles of epic gravel routes to keep you going for days. Our high-quality mountain bikes are available to guests for no charge. We also have a number of youth bikes so kids can also enjoy some riding.
Kayaking & Rafting
Montana is blessed with great rivers and the Blackfoot River is considered by many to be the very best for recreational boating and novice and intermediate level whitewater. The Blackfoot offers something for everyone — from flat sections to Class III rapids.
The Cliff Ranch has miles of direct and private access to the Blackfoot River. One of the most popular sections begins just 8 miles upriver from the ranch — winding through a gorgeous box canyon and finishing with a manageable class II rapid before taking out at the ranch. For a shorter and relaxing one-hour trip, our guests can simply put-in at one of the ranch and float or kayak the 3 miles to the other end of the ranch.
The ranch’s flotilla currently includes a number of double and single kayaks and a 12’ paddle raft all available to our guests for a great day of adventure and enjoyment.
Ranch Wellness
To keep you feeling balanced during your stay we can offer yoga and other wellness classes. No experience is necessary for classes and they hold the promise of leaving guests feeling ‘ranch relaxed’.
Guests may also enjoy a Swedish or deep tissue massage in the privacy of their cabin or outside on our grassy rooftop.
Our chef is happy to provide appropriate choices for those maintaining a vegan or gluten-free diet.
Outdoor Art
Whether you are an artist by hobby or trade, or even just a beginner; the magnificent red cliffs, summer wildflowers, pine forests and sparkling waters serve as an inspirational slate for all artists to express themselves. From outdoor canvas painting and watercolor prints to field journaling and photography, the ranch is a stunning outdoor art gallery for guests of all ages.
In planning your trip to the Ranch, let us help you bring some art into your Montana experience.
Campfire
Evening campfires at the ranch are a time for shared stories of the day’s adventures, songs and, of course, s’mores. Our staff will make it easy, providing everything you need. Guests may want to book a special evening of ‘Fire and Astronomy Under the Big Sky’ with a local expert.
Skiing
If you are fortunate enough to be a wintertime guest at the ranch, you will likely want to get out and find adventure and fun in the snow.
Directly on the Ranch there are a number of flat and rolling trails that are perfect for backcountry skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and exploring—whether out for a scenic jaunt along the river or taking a longer trip into the hills. The ranch does not provide ski equipment, so bring what you need or you can rent equipment at a local store.
The primary options for downhill skiing and snowboarding are SnowBowl and Discovery Ski Area, both 1-2 hours depending on road conditions.
Speakers, Musicians & More
Here at The Cliff Ranch, we are interested in creating unique and memorable experiences. Some groups may want to try out their inner acting abilities with a murder mystery dinner party, while others may choose to book a local author or expert to lead a talk on an interesting topic:
The History of the Blackfoot Valley/Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Geology of Montana and The Cliff Ranch
Blackfoot River and Montana Folklore
Blackfoot River Poetry, Fiction or Non-fiction
Cowboy Musician & Storytelling
Astronomy and Stargazing