In a state known for warm hospitality, these Montanans go one step further. They open their homes and ranches for you to experience a time-honored lifestyle in the wide open spaces. Here's your chance to join a cattle drive through the mountains or simply relax at the homestead while getting to know the people who take such great pride in working the Montana land. You'll learn new skills, taste some great homecooking, and probably change the way you look at the world.

Big Sandy

Sky View Ranch

1705 Pearson Ranch Trail

406-386-2464

Sky View Ranch offers a wide variety of services and products including guest accommodations and activities, sawmill services and rough-cut lumber, cantaloupe, and AQHA horses. Guests will get the opportunity to horseback ride under the spacious Montana skies, float the mighty Missouri River as seen by Lewis and Clark over 200 years ago, and hike the "breaks" and "castle rocks" of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

Lima

J Bar L Ranches

12350 North Centennial Valley Road

406-684-5927

Located in the pristine Centennial Valley in southwest Montana, the J Bar L Ranch is a holistically managed grassfed cattle ranch, offering working ranch vacations, deluxe vacation rentals, corporate retreats, event locations, themed weeks, and ranch holidays.

Stanford

Hughes Mountain Ranch

15 miles south of Stanford in the Little Belt Mountains

406-566-2640

We’ve lived here for over 100 years. We invite you to come and see why. Whether you're searching for adventure or simply need a little peace and quiet, the Hughes Mountain Ranch is a perfect fit. The lodge is a renovated ranch house, originally built in the early 1900’s. It can accommodate 13 guests in 5 bedrooms with 4.5 bathrooms. Two fireplaces provide a warm, cozy atmosphere indoors. Outdoor enthusiasts might enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, big game hunting, and varmint hunting. The lodge is also a prime location for weekend retreats, such as scrapbooking, quilting, or other crafts. May 15-March 15.

Townsend

Hidden Hollow Hideaway Cattle & Guest Ranch

17 miles northeast of Townsend

406-266-3322

We're a cattle ranch that host guests on a weekly basis. This is our 50th year of operation. Most folks enjoy horseback riding, including moving cattle, hiking, swimming, fishing, goldpanning, and shooting -- all in the mountain setting of our large cattle ranch. We host just a few guests each week and family style meals at the ranch house. Reservations required. Open June to September. Take U.S. 12 two miles east of Townsent to Hwy. 284 north, go 15 miles to ranch turnoff just prior to mile marker 27, turn right, go 1 mile.

Montana Horse Country Adventures

12 miles east of Townsend

406-266-3515

We invite up to 8 guests to join us on horseback as we move cattle in and across the Big Belt Mountains. Enjoy tent camp accommodations and hearty chuck wagon meals. The cattle drive is accompanied by full-time ranch family, licensed outfitter, and wranglers. Drives are planned in 2012 for May 23-27, June 27-July 1, and August 1-5. Learn about cattle ranching on a fourth generation ranch. May-August.