The American West is a barely tamed wilderness of vast grassy plains, snow-capped peaks and rushing blue rivers. A stay at a luxury resort or ranch doesn’t just offer an authentic cowboy experience – complete with roping, riding and cookouts beneath the stars – it offers free rein to your sense of adventure.
Montana really is ‘Big Sky’ country – snow-capped summits and glacial valleys beneath a deep blue sky that seems to stretch for a million miles.
Wyoming is classic cowboy country, replete with open range and evocative Old West towns like Buffalo and Cody.
Incomplete and colossal in scale, the Crazy Horse memorial in South Dakota is a deliberate counterpoint to the presidential faces of Mount Rushmore, located just a short drive away.
Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are three of the most spectacular national parks in America, home to soaring mountain peaks and geysers like Old Faithful.
Ranch stays offer wonderful opportunities to experience genuine cowboy culture, from rounding up cattle to cookouts beneath the stars.
We offer a selection of ranch and resort holidays across Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, from ultra-luxe resorts and all-inclusive stays to adults-only ranches and family favourites.
For aspiring cowboys, there’s nothing quite like bringing in a herd on a genuine cattle drive. But you don’t need to ride to make the most of a ranch holiday. The huge amount of activities on offer means there’s something for everyone, from skiing, sledging and snowshoeing in winter to fly-fishing, hiking, rafting, mountain biking, wagon rides and more in summer. Dining is just as eclectic, with Michelin-worthy restaurants serving locally sourced produce and beef reared on the land to incredible wine cellars and on-site distilleries.
Beyond your resort lie the other attractions of the American West. Both Glacier and Grand Teton national parks offer breathtaking mountain scenery. Yellowstone dazzles with its spurting geysers and colourful hot springs. And history is displayed on a monumental scale at the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse national memorials, the former depicting the faces of four US presidents, the latter a portrayal of a revered Lakota warrior.
Experience Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota from June to September when warm weather and fully-open national parks allow outdoor activities and sightseeing. Spring weather can be unpredictable, with lingering snow. Autumn offers brilliant colours but early snowfall can cause disruption. Most ski runs are open by late November and operate well into March, or even later depending on snow conditions, but park roads close and temperatures often fall below freezing.
Framed by the soaring peaks of the Teton Range, the Four Seasons Resort is a luxurious mountain escape in one of America’s most mesmerising settings, offering year-round activities, gourmet dining and easy access to the spectacular wildlife of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.
One of the finest guest ranches in the US, The Ranch at Rock Creek is an all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux property set in 6,000 acres of pristine Montana wilderness, offering farm-to-table dining, a host of authentic cowboy experiences and accommodation options to suit couples and families.
Triple Creek Ranch is an adults-only, all-inclusive hideaway tucked into the southern end of Montana’s scenic Bitterroot Valley, and a Relais & Châteaux member since 1996. Its 25 log cabins are scattered amid 600 acres of meadows and pine forests, among which you’ll find the ranch’s namesake three creeks.
Set in 240 spectacular acres, Moonlight Basin is One&Only’s first ever alpine resort, offering direct access to Montana’s Big Sky ski resort in winter and incredible opportunities to explore the Yellowstone area in summer, with hiking, horse riding, golf and fly fishing just a few of the many activities on offer.
Set in 30,000 acres of rugged Wyoming wilderness, Brush Creek Ranch comprises three all-inclusive properties, a seed-to-table farm and a 600-acre private ski mountain. Twice-daily activities are included in the rates, and with so much to do, the ranch is perfect for active family holidays.
Set within a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch, Paws Up Montana blends the romance of the American West with the refinement of a world-class resort, offering 100 miles of horse trails and an incredible range of on-ranch activities.