Need some Montana help
 

Am in the very beginning stages of planning a trip to Montana in August with my husband and 8-year old daughter. I think we would enjoy a day or two at Glacier National Park (if it was just my husband and I we would stay longer, but I think two days is about it for our daughter); at Glacier, I was thinking we would take a Jammer tour (we loved the bus tour in Denali) and maybe a lake cruise. Then, we'd like to find a ranch to go to for about 4 days (that may be tricky since most seem to have a minimum of a week, but since only my daughter is interested in riding, a week may be pushing it for us). I would love opinions/advice on things not to miss at Glacier (if you've been on one of the tours, I'd love to know which one you'd recommend); if you know of a ranch, that would be great and any other tips would be helpful.

Also, is trying to see Yellowstone possible or is that too ambitious?

Sorry this is so long!

Thanks in advance,

Mary in D.C.

anybody?

I can't help you specifically with most of your questions, but my first impression on reading your post was that you may be better off (and your daughter happier) just going to Yellowstone/GTNP on this trip.

We've been to both (without kids). I do know of two friends who have taken their children (around your daughter's age) to Glacier and really enjoyed it, but they are campers and their kids love to hike. There are ranger led hikes, etc. and activities geared to kids in all the parks and they seem to be quite popular.

It takes about 8 hours (give or take) to go from Glacier to Gardner and if you aren't going to spend at least a week at Yellowstone/GTNP, IMO it isn't worth it to try to fit both parks in.

Although we haven't done it, there are some posts here about ranches around Cody and Jackson Hole.

I'm not sure about how much reseach you have done but I would go back a few years on this board. It doesn't seem like there has been too much in the last year or so (I have been following a lot of it because we just made a trip to Yellowstone). There are some people who live up there who reply frequently, so just keep topping your post every few days until someone sees it. Weekends seem to be slow.

thanks; I have actually done alot of research and there isn't alot on the site about dude/guest ranches (I was surprised).

Appreciate your perspective--which is why I posted relatively early on in my planning so I can figure out if we're off base.

I know what you mean about weekends!

Thanks!

Mary

It has been slow today. I think you can also check on tripadvisor.com and frommers.com if you don't see your answers on guest ranches here on Fodor's.

very little on tripadvisor on ranches so need the help here!

Thanks everybody!

Mary

Did you see this link yet? It popped up on another post when I entered in Montana Guest Ranches on Fodor's: http://ranchweb.com/searchresult.html
Sorry, I don't have any personal experience, though I hope this helps.

I saw one in the link I posted also mentioned positively in another post: Montana Sky in Emigrat, MT. Also note, that most of the ones listed were in Montana although some are in Idaho and Wyoming.

Can't give you any info on tours as I live close to the park and do my own thing. However I've noticed the Jammers are always full so folks must enjoy.
Glacier IS a hiking park so unless you want to do hiking, two days is plenty of time to enjoy the Sun Road and the spectacular scenery.
For dude ranches try
www.montanadra.com
which is the Montana dude ranch association.
Come on out!!!

A few years ago I stayed at this ranch with a birdwatching group. The owners and staff were wonderful!

http://www.sevenlazyp.com/

I have stayed at the Triangle C Ranch, but it is in Wyoming near Yellowstone.

For the Greater Yellowstone area you may find what you are looking for on this site.

http://www.yellowstone.net/

There is a lot of info on Montana guest and dude ranches both on this site and on the web in general. I'm puzzled why the OP was having such a problem finding info.

thanks to those with specific recommendations, I'll check them out;

trippinkpj--when I do a search on Fodors, I have come up with two or three returns (I've done several searches with different phrases), one return was several years old, so I must be missing something--if you find more, let me know! As for on the Web, there is tons of info., but I rely on Fodors to help me with insider tips and a more nuanced approach from those with personal experiences.

Thanks again everybody!

Mary

forgot to say thanks to John--glad to hear the info. on Glacier--that helps; I had been to the association website--was hoping to hear from folks who have been guests at specific ranches.

Thanks again!

Mary

In Glacier, we took a cruise on St Mary Lake. We drove the Sun Road ourselves (no Jammer). If you are headed in the direction of Browning there is something fun for the family: staying on the Blackfeet Reservation in a tipi http://www.blackfeetculturecamp.com/

Near Missoula, in Seeley lake, The Rich ranch is a nice dude ranch, with fast and slow rides, moutain or flats and all day.
There is possibility of fly fishing also.
In Glacier, 2 days seem too short.
There are some nice hikes, not too
strenous :
-in the Lake Mc Donald part, avalanche lake is nice and you can combo with trail of the cedars;
-in the north fork, hidden meadow is easy, and the drive to Bowman lake worth the road...
-in the many glacier area, Iceberg lake or Cracker lakes are relatively easy.
The trail to Bullhead lake is easy and full of wild life(bears, moose, elk,...).
-Some other trails are more strenous, but worth the effort : Swiftcurrent pass or Grinnel Glacier.
In the Missoulz area, south, in the Bitterrrot valley, there are a lot of nice and easy hikes.
We have had a 2 weeks vacation this last summer and it has been one of our nicest sejour in the states..
I've made a report : just click on my screen name and you'll find it.
There are some adress/hotels,...
Erik.

Hi Erik, thanks so much! Your report is great!

Mary

In Glacier, take her on one or more of the boat trips on the lakes.

There is riding at the West Glacier Lodge, and they have a good sized herd of horses.

Many people on this list complain about the prices and lack of luxury in the old lodges in Glacier, but these places would be thrilling to an 8 year old girl, who can safely explore buildings that look like something out of Harry Potter.

Outside the park, a trip to Browning shows life in a reservation town, something most kids aren't exposed to. On the other side of the park, Whitefish is a fascinating place with parks to run in and good informal places for kids to eat.

Plenty to do!

Ackislander--apologies for my tardy response--thanks for your help!

Mary