24 Hours in Montana Luxury: A Photo Diary

Beneath Montana’s wide-open skies, adventure and the spirit of the American West meet luxury. At Paws Up Montana, our 37,000-acre ranch of meadows, pines, and the Blackfoot River sets the stage for days where cowboy grit pairs with five-star comfort, and each sunrise feels like more than a vacation – it’s an experience you’ll carry with you long after your return home. 

Discover our one-day Montana vacation itinerary through the lens of Paws Up and imagine what your perfect day on the ranch could be.

Wake to the call of the wild in your choice of luxury accommodations: a safari-style tent, a private home, or a treetop hideaway in the pines. Enjoy a cup of coffee, savor a quick morning bite, and step outside to take in the crisp mountain air and morning glow, the dew sparkling across the meadow, and the silence broken only by the distant nickering of horses and birdsong.

For those ready to live the cowboy life, saddle up early and join our wranglers in the morning jingle – a tradition as old as ranching itself. Together, you’ll help collect the horses that will be used for the day’s ranch adventures. It’s a pulse-quickening experience designed for advanced riders, one that offers an authentic and unforgettable taste of Montana ranch life. 

Prefer a slower start? Take your time. Sleep in, stretch out, and then drift toward a chef-prepared breakfast spread that brings Montana flavors to your plate. You can always take part in other equestrian activities throughout the day, from trail rides and horse whispering to foundational horsemanship.

No stay at Paws Up is complete without trying our huckleberry pancakes, a local delicacy bursting with sweet, tart flavor. Served alongside crispy bacon, farm-fresh eggs, and specialty coffee, it’s a breakfast that fuels both wilderness exploration and riverside relaxation. Whether you’re dining at Trough or your camp pavilion with a private chef, the warmth of Montana hospitality and its flavors shine through.

After breakfast, the wilds of Big Sky Country are calling. Cast a line into the legendary Blackfoot River, where rainbow trout glint beneath the surface and every cast feels like meditation. The art of fly fishing in Montana is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in the culture. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, our expert in-house guides make this a memorable way to connect with the land and its bountiful rivers.

If fly fishing isn’t your speed, adventure comes in many forms: rent a private boat or paddle on Salmon Lake, rappel sheer cliffs, or pedal self-guided mountain biking trails. Tap into creativity by customizing your own Western hat or slip into relaxation at Spa Town® for a massage, facial, or IV therapy in a tented sanctuary in a tranquil meadow beneath the pines.

With experiences for every age and interest, you can choose to learn something new, challenge yourself, unwind completely, or simply enjoy time with loved ones in a setting unlike any other.

Getting to and from activities is easy. Hop into an on-demand shuttle or slide behind the wheel of your private Lexus luxury SUV, included for guests of our homes or Green O accommodations, for getting around the ranch property.

By afternoon, the scent of smoke and spice leads you to Shed, a seasonal open-air dining spot. Here, bison burgers, brisket, and pork carnitas pair with can’t-miss sides and inventive ice cream floats. Add live music and sweeping mountain views, and it’s the perfect backdrop for laughter and connection. With three gourmet meals included each day, and no need to think about gratuities, mealtime is simply about savoring and living in the present moment.

After lunch, you have the chance to head out on an ATV ride across rolling meadows, take an afternoon trail ride on horseback, or try your hand at clay shooting or archery practice. Families might enjoy wagon rides, paintball in the pines, visiting the ranch’s horses, or spending time playing games together in the game room or outside in the fresh mountain air.

If you’d rather slow the pace, relax by the riverbank with a book, enjoy a wine tasting with our sommelier, or simply retreat to your accommodations for a refreshing shower, soak, or nap before the evening’s activities.

Dining at Paws Up is a celebration of Montana’s bounty. You might savor ranch-to-table dishes at Pomp, enjoy an open-air feast at your camp pavilion with a dedicated chef, join a seasonal tradition like a Chuck Wagon dinner along the river, or, for Green O guests, indulge in an artfully crafted eight-course tasting menu at Social Haus. Wherever you dine, every meal highlights homegrown flavors – wood-fired steaks, wild-caught king salmon, elk tartare, and huckleberry-inspired desserts – all paired with world-class wines, local brews, and breathtaking views.

As the sun slips behind the mountains, gather around a crackling fire beneath a canopy of stars for one of the ranch’s most cherished traditions: s’mores. Toast marshmallows to golden perfection, sip something warm, and trade stories from the day as the scent of campfire smoke mingles with the sound of live music drifting through the night.

For guests at the Green O or in one of our luxury homes, the evening can end in quiet indulgence, slipping into a private hot tub as the sky deepens to inky black, starlight glitters above, and fireflies dance in the dark.

After a day well spent in nature, retreat to your Western-inspired accommodations. Stretch out in a king-size bed wrapped in luxury linens and drift off to the gentle soundtrack of nature. Here, at the edge of the wilderness yet surrounded by modern comforts, each night restores you for tomorrow’s adventures and even more Montana magic.

A stay at Paws Up Montana is more than a getaway – it’s a journey into the heart of the American West with the comforts of a Two MICHELIN Key resort, where “roughing it” feels like anything but. From luxury glamping in Montana to five-star ranch dining and wilderness adventures, every moment brings you closer to the land, the ones you’re with, and yourself.

For more inspiration for your Montana vacation itinerary, check out our Ultimate Montana Bucket List.