MGS Experience: Mountain Sky Guest Ranch

Every time I venture West, I leave a piece of my soul behind.

This feeling was especially true after my visit to Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible destinations in my life, for work and pleasure, but this may top them all.

I remember growing up on John Wayne western movies. I’d escape to my grandma’s living room and watch the movies while everyone else did their own thing. Nowadays, people relate more to Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone” series. There is a captivating nature to western culture or more specifically, cowboy culture. But, in this instance, it is being a cowpoke in the glory that is Montana.

What is Mountain Sky Guest Ranch?

Dude ranches are common throughout Big Sky country. You get to live out your dream of being a cowboy or cowgirl and escape reality. Arthur Blank purchased the property in 2001 and has kept the core experiences of the ranch while adding operational upgrades and modern charm.

The ranch sits on more than 10,000 acres in the heart of Yellowstone Country, nestled in a location known as Paradise Valley. Despite being in the wilderness, the ranch is conveniently located within about an hour or so from Bozeman, roughly 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

Guests get to experience lots of activities: horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, Yellowstone tours, whitewater rafting, clay shooting, archery, challenge course, even line dancing. You can soak in a grotto, enjoy the spa or keep your fitness routine going utilizing their wellness and aquatics center.

But Mountain Sky Guest Ranch offers more than just a Wild West experience and relaxation in the wilderness. It is one of few dude ranches that offers golf and phenomenal golf on that note.

Rising Sun Golf Course

Driving south on Highway 89 is a spectacle. You have the Gallatin Range to the west and the Absaroka Range to east. On your right, you’ll see the the rustic sign that welcomes you to Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. My first thought, and that of many others I’m sure, was, “Where is the golf course?”

You legitimately cannot tell there is an 18-hole golf course routed through the rolling foothills of Paradise Valley and at the base of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. As you approach the clubhouse, you can start to identify a few holes and greens but you’re still baffled that there actually is an 18-hole golf course waiting for you to discover it.

Rising Sun Golf Course is Mountain Sky Guest Ranch’s exclusive Johnny Miller designed 18-hole golf course. It includes a full driving range and a par-3 course with a twist: three green complexes and nine tee box variations. Rising Sun stretches to 7,130 from the tips and offers five sets of tees.

Two worlds collide – golf and nature

Golf and nature create a masterpiece. I feel like that is what every golf architectural team envisions when they begin a new project and then strives to achieve. They succeeded here. Rising Sun is a masterpiece. Pictures are worth a thousand words … so they say.

Even if your golf game isn’t up to par, it is easy to get lost in the nature that surrounds you as you weave your way through the foothills of Rising Sun. Having said that, this course is so demanding you’ll want to focus on more than your surroundings. Tee boxes will have you guessing where to hit your shot or which club to use. Missing the fairway will cost you as native grasses will consume your golf ball.

Then there is the wind.

During my visit, the wind was constant and I am talking 15 to 20 mph with stronger gusts. With the routing of the golf course, most holes were either downwind or into. Holes 4, 11 and 12 seemed to be the only ones with a crosswind. Due to the wind, the visual complexity off the tee and the penal rough, I strongly recommend playing one tee position up for your first round to allow you to get a feel for the course.

Not a golfer? Perfectly OK

As an avid golfer, playing golf in Montana is a highlight alone. However, there is more to Mountain Sky Guest Ranch than golf. The amenities exceeded my expectations.

Horseback riding

Mountain Sky has activities for everyone to enjoy. On my final night, another guest told me this was his and his wife’s first stay. He is an avid golfer. His wife loves horseback riding. The ranch offers activities that they can enjoy separately or together and that is the part of the beauty of the experience.

Horseback riding is arguably one of the most popular options. The ranch has roughly 200 horses on property and, every morning, you can see them in the corral as wranglers prepare for the day. It is a sight that epitomize ranch lifestyle and brings forth the western rush.

There are several horseback riding options but two stand out: meal rides and cattle work.

Meal Rides

Mountain Sky has three meal rides: breakfast, lunch and dinner. These occur on separate days and may vary depending on the week of your stay. Guests ride to a specific location on property and commune for a meal. For those uncomfortable with riding, shuttles or hiking are options as well.

During our stay, we did a lunch ride. This ride took us roughly 1.5 hours as we scaled the surrounding hillside to one of the cabins on property. The views are breathtaking. I am forever spoiled when it comes to horseback riding. I don’t know if another experience can top this one. It made me want to go on another ride during our stay. As for the physical riding, all of the horses are well trained and the wranglers are there to assist you. I didn’t feel uncomfortable or unsafe during the entirety of the ride. And this was my first legitimate ride on a horse since I was a child.

Cattle work

For the more experienced rider, the cattle work option might pique your interest. This allows guests to truly embrace their inner cowboy or cowgirl. On the morning of our lunch ride, several guests took part in the “working ranch” experience. For this, they worked with wranglers for a few hours herding cattle on property. Again, everyone convenes for lunch so the lunch chatter is all about each guest’s experiences that morning.

Hiking

Perhaps the best way to truly embrace Montana, Mountain Sky offers a plethora of hiking options. From sunrise hikes to all-day hikes to “the challenger hikes”, there is something for everyone on the property. Almost every hike is guided by staff to ensure safety and to answer questions along the way.

Clay shooting

Ready, set, pull! Clay shooting is a blast for those who haven’t shot before. Follow the instructions and safety rules and you’ll be just fine. And did I mention the backdrop?

Community – The heartbeat of MSGR

The heartbeat of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is community. Yes, you are soaking in the beauty that is Montana with every gaze. But the true beauty is the community atmosphere at MSGR. From the guests to the staff members, there is an emphasis on community. For guests, their trips are five to seven days depending on the time of year. With little to no cell phone service, guest interaction is constant.

Each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served just once at a designated time. This encourages camaraderie, especially dinner time. Every evening, there is a cocktail hour. The saloon opens up, hors d’oeuvres are served and the interactions begin. Don’t let the wilderness vibe deter you. The food and service are over the moon.

All of the guests are participating in organized activities throughout the week, too. From horseback riding to golf to the challenge course, there is fellowship. For some guests, it is their first experience. Others are repeat visitors. There were a few individuals during our stay who had been coming to the ranch for 10 or 20 years.

Ditch your tropical vacation

Time for some bias. If you are a true outdoor lover and you’re looking for your next adventure, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is the place to consider. It has everything you need in a vacation spot. All of the activities are included in the fees. As a golfer, that means unlimited golf. You could play 36 holes in an afternoon each day… and you might not even see another golfer.

There are a few additional costs such as alcohol, trips to Yellowstone, shuttles to and from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and other miscellaneous items. But all of these are optional.

I’d visit Mountain Sky Guest Ranch again in a heartbeat. There is something for everyone and you will create memories that’ll last a lifetime. It takes you into the heart of America’s wilderness and can leave you speechless. Furthermore, you are within an hour of several other iconic locations including Yellowstone National Park.

It is time to ditch your tropical destination and explore America’s great outdoors in their truest form.