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Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

A visit to the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and the environs of Bozeman, Montana

By Carole Herdegen

Smiles on these professional cowpokes are endorsement of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch.

Photo Credit - Mountain Sky Guest Ranch

With its wild-west themed Bozeman Airport, you know from the minute your plane lands you are in cowboy country. Experienced cowboys and cowgirls have come to Montana's Mountain Sky Guest Ranch giving it the reputation of being the very best in Western hospitality as well as number one in service with its prestigious 4-diamond AAA award. The friendly and dedicated ranch hands are experts in the skills of horsemanship and return annually to the ranch. This is also especially true of guests who return year after year.

I personally chose the “Take me away getaway package for couples and singles” to experience the beauty of the fall season. However, during my first visit, I found very few “first timers”. Singles and couples told me they automatically reserve their week for next year’s stay before leaving for home. The guests seem to be one happy family. However, don’t get the impression that newcomers aren’t welcome. Upon arrival, all guests receive warm Western hospitality and soon, they too, become a part of the Mountain Sky family addicted to a return visit.

From its earliest beginnings in the 1850’s, ranches began accommodating paying guests from the eastern parts of the United States to offset the expenses of running a ranch. In return, the ranches were able to give their guests the experience of what life on the American frontier was all about. Through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States acquired the territory of Montana that would later become the 41st state on November 8, 1889. Mountain Sky shares its deep roots with this history of Montana and the Wild West.

In 1866, while leading a herd of 1,000 head of cattle from Texas to the mining towns of Montana, Nelson Story passed through Paradise Valley and discovered “a pretty little canyon” that offered overnight protection for his cattle. This canyon is the present-day site of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. After serving as a base camp for sheep herders and cowboys throughout the early 1900’s, Charles Murphy bought the property and it became a cattle ranch until 1920 when it was established as a guest ranch. Today, the main lodge of the ranch and many of its guest cabins remain structurally the same as they did in the 1920’s.

The 6000 acre ranch offers a multitude of activities, something for everyone. There is fishing in Big Creek, hiking in the beautiful meadows and the majestic rock overlooks or just soaking in the pool or hot tub, surrounded by beautiful mountain vistas. The majority of guests come to the ranch specifically for riding. Each guest is matched with a suitable horse and they become “partners” for the week. After a short one-on-one session with one of the wranglers, guests venture off for organized rides on the many trails on the ranch.

Fly-fishing has always been an interest of mine. Even more so, after I learned the movie, “A River Runs Through It” was filmed near Livingston, less than 50 miles from the ranch on the Yellowstone River. I failed to get even a nibble on my line after my first fly-fishing lesson, so I decided I should find another interest. Fly-fishing is a practiced skill not unlike golf or tennis. Expert fly-fishermen may spend one hundred or more days per year patiently honing their fishing skills.

One of the more memorable aspects of a stay at the ranch is the gourmet dining experience. Executive Chef Brian prepares delicious gourmet meals while Pastry Chef Pam bakes all the breads, cakes and pies with top-notch creative presentations.

Women can fulfill their dreams of being a cowgirl or enjoy the beautiful fall foliage on the “Wild Women’s Adventure Week” or the “Fall Foliage and Fly-Fishing Specials”. These spring and fall offerings come with very special prices.

Mountain Sky is only an hour’s drive from Bozeman and 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

On the road to Yellowstone National Park, stop for a visit to the quant little town of Livingston on the Yellowstone River.The town is full of history from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to early days of the railroad. It has attracted well-known artists and writers and has been used as a location for many Hollywood movies. MSN has named Livingston as one of the 10 best outdoor towns in the U.S.

Further Information on Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and the Bozeman environs

Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
P.O. Box 1219
Emigrant, MT 59027
Tel: (406) 333-4911 or Toll Free: (800) 548-3392
Web Site: www.mtnsky.com

Bozeman Convention and Visitors Bureau
2000 Commerce Way
Bozeman, MT 59715
Tel: (406) 586-5421 Toll Free: (800) 228-4224 Ext. 800
Web Site: www.tp.visitbozeman.net

Museum of the Rockies
600 West Kagy Boulevard
Bozeman, MT 59717
Tel: (406) 994-DINO
Web Site: www.museumoftherockies.org

6,000 pound bronze Tyrannosaurus rex cast from the actual bones of an animal excavated in eastern Montana

Photo Credit - Museum of the Rockies Photo by Rob Outlaw

Livingston Information Center
303 E. Park St.,
Livingston, MT 59047
Tel: (406) 222-0850
E-Mail: info@livingston-chamber.com
Web Site: www.livingston-chamber.com.

Find Maps of Montana, and the Bozeman Area at
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