Montana's Luxury Dude Ranch: The Resort at Paws Up

Why choose Paws Up for your dude ranch vacation?

Paws Up is an all-inclusive, family-friendly ranch with activities that change with the seasons. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, there’s always something exciting to do! Here's a glimpse:

• Warmer months: Cattle drives, rafting, fly fishing, ATV tours, sporting clays, go-karting, ghost town tours, hot air ballooning, horseback riding and more

• Winter season: Cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow tubing, broom hockey, winter horseback riding and more

They offer more activities than any other resort or dude ranch in Montana. Many activities are complimentary, like hiking, snow shoeing, mountain biking and self-guided fishing, while guided experiences are an additional cost. Book through me, and you’ll get money towards these activities — more details below!

A day in the life at Paws Up

Every day at this ranch feels completely different. Here’s a peek at one of my days:

I started with breakfast in my room, ordered via text message: eggs with caviar, homemade sourdough, a fresh fruit platter and an oat milk matcha latte. After getting ready, I headed to the Outpost to go trail riding. The equestrian expert took time to match each rider with a horse that suited their personality. I was paired with Whiskey, a sweet and gentle mare. We rode through their Anaconda Trail — no snakes present! — and stopped at a beautiful open field before heading back.

For lunch, we went to their main restaurant, Trough, and I enjoyed a mouthwatering burger with truffle fries, plus a fresh arugula salad with burrata. Afterward, we hit the rifle range, where I learned I’m left-eye dominant and a sharp shooter! The rifle lounge we started in was a fun stop in itself, complete with drinks and snacks.

Next up: Hat-making! At the Outpost, their resident hat expert — yes- that is a real thing — helped us choose a flattering hat and customize it with hat bands, feathers and custom brands — such a unique experience and fun way to take home a piece of Montana! After some relaxation back at our home, we headed to the family BBQ for dinner. I filled my plate with burrata salad, duck fried rice, honey BBQ chicken thighs, Wagyu sirloin and — arguably too much — mac & cheese. I paired my meal with a mezcal cocktail called the Smoke Show, a mix of blood orange, Aperol and a black salt rim, my favorite!

We ended the night in our private hot tub on the porch, sipping wine under the Montana sky before I cozied up in my super comfortable bed for a great night of sleep. Each day felt like a new adventure and I was so happy to experience such a fun few days.

Left: Horseback riding; Right: E-bike tour

Luxury accommodations & all-inclusive amenities

The accommodations at Paws Up are spectacular, ranging from cozy glamping tents straight out of a magazine to the newly renovated Meadow Homes where we stayed. Most homes on the ranch feature a private hot tub and a cozy fireplace or two — perfect for chilly Montana evenings.

• With each stay, you’ll receive a Lexus NX for easy transportation around the ranch, making you feel like you’re on your own private property.

• The all-inclusive aspect is a dream: incredible food in several unique restaurants, BBQs with live music, axe throwing and roping lessons at dinner and s’mores by the fire. For the homes that feature bbqs, the staff will bring over whichever cuts of meat you want along with an array of sides for any meals you want to spend at home.

• The resort has a texting service that you're encouraged to use throughout your stay — room service, pick ups for when you don't want to drive your car, additional activity bookings and anything else you may need during your stay.

• Gratuities and airport transfers are included, so you can relax the moment you arrive.

The Green O: A couples-only retreat

For couples or adult-only groups, The Green O is the ultimate retreat within Paws Up. This section of the ranch was built just a few years ago and is for guests who are 21 and older. It offers a more contemporary, luxurious and romantic vibe. Guests at Green O have exclusive access to Social Haus, a private restaurant led by James Beard nominee Chef Brandon Cunningham, plus all the amenities and activities at Paws Up. The tree houses here are so unique and each accommodation is thoughtfully decorated.

Left: Social Haus; Right: Tank

Holidays at Paws Up

If you’re looking for a festive holiday getaway, Paws Up still has availability for 2024! They go all out, including sleigh rides, Santa and decorating each accommodation with their very own Christmas tree. You can even ship your gifts ahead of time, and they’ll wrap them and place them under the tree for you on Christmas eve — yet another memorable touch for the kids! Presidents Day, Fourth of July, New Year's Eve and more also come with their own array of unique events — let me know if you want more info on this!

While this is undeniably a luxury experience, it’s ideal for those who embrace a little adventure and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. The true joy lies in fully immersing yourself in the ranch activities, where kicking up some dirt is all part of the fun. Although the food, amenities and accommodations are top-notch, Paws Up is a destination for those seeking an authentic, immersive escape, rather than guests expecting white-glove service at every turn.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Montana. In need of further inspiration? Check out Alex Sallis' guide, 10 Unique Things to Do in Costa Rica's Arenal Region.