The Ranch at Rock Creek

79 Carriage House Ln, Philipsburg, MT 59858, USA

In 2007, hedge fund investor Jim Manley bought a working cattle ranch on the site of a historic silver-mining claim to stake as his bigger-than-life family retreat. In 2010, he opened up the Ranch at Rock Creek, a toy-filled haven in southwest Montana’s Big Sky Country, with 13 houses with one to five bedrooms, luxurious canvas cabins for “glamping,” or a nine-room granite lodge. All are decorated by designer Jet Zarkadas and feature Oriental carpets, deep leather chairs, cow skin and woven Navajo rugs, custom duvet covers, and period Western photos and memorabilia. Despite the remote location and 5,200-foot elevation, all accommodations have landline, working Wi-Fi, and cell phone coverage; some have moose antlers, a private sauna, outdoor hot tub, and indoor copper bathtub.

Open year-round, the 10-square-mile property encompasses meadows, high country lakes, grassy ridges, and stunning vistas of the Pintler and Sapphire mountains. This self-contained adventureland offers horseback riding; heli-hiking; fly-fishing; river floating; high-tech mountain biking; rope courses; trap shooting; and archery on a 3D course using powerful hunting bows to shoot life-sized models of animals. Weekly rodeo and stagecoach rides underscore the Western theme; in winter, guests cross-country ski, ice skate, and snowshoe on-site. A kids’ club frees parents for spa time and other pursuits.

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Ranch at Rock Creek, Missoula, Montana

Owner Jim Manley thought of everything for his new Ranch at Rock Creek, a 6,600-acre all-inclusive retreat 100 miles from Missoula. Rooms are outfitted with Western antiques, books, and photography. Bison short ribs are served in the homey dining room, and the ranch keeps things playful with outdoor activities from paintball to sledding, as well as bowling, pool, and karaoke in the saloon. From $1,690 (877) 786-1545 This appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

Montana

The owner of The Ranch at Rock Creek searched the American West for 20 years to find the perfect ranch and found it in one of Montana’s most pristine valleys. The Ranch offers year-round vacations on an authentic 19th century homestead, where guests can enjoy immersion in nature without sacrificing modern comforts. Guests can tailor their ranch experience by choosing between luxury one-of-a-kind accommodations; from state-of-the-art glamping cabins and private luxury homes on the range, guests can capture the historic splendor of a Montana ranch vacation in their own style. The designers set out to create a sense of place in each accommodation. The furnishings, art, and antiques assembled tell the story of the region and invite guests to experience the spirit of the place.

Located 20 miles outside of the historic town of Philipsburg, Rock Creek is a prime location between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. There is no shortage of activities at Rock Creek, from fly-fishing lessons, to barn dancing and glamping under the Big Sky. Guests have access to guided outdoor activities, like horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking on the 6,600 acres of meadows, creeks, all while taking in breathtaking snow-capped peaks of the Pintler Mountains. Aside from the views, the dining is reason enough to make the trip. A Relais & Châteaux property, their kitchen offers cuisine that is equal parts mountain tradition and modern palate. Ranch style dining captures experiences like horseback riding through grasslands and, later, tasting Montana alfalfa in grass-fed beef or wildflowers in Sapphire Mountain honey vinaigrette.

A New Twist on the Wild West

For three days and nights last fall, I was fortunate enough to stay at the Ranch at Rock Creek, a new property located about an hour from Missoula, Montana. Everything about the experience was flawless: activities included skeet shooting, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, fly-fishing, and paintball shenanigans. There’s a main lodge with a terrific bar and a cozy restaurant where guests eat three hearty meals a day. There are also a number of cabins and luxurious tents overlooking a river, which runs through the property. In the saloon in the evenings, karaoke, bowling, and pool are only a few of the diversions on offer. I can’t wait to get back to the Ranch for my next visit.

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