With 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness to explore, choosing how to spend your time at Paws Up can be its own adventure. The possibilities range from horseback rides across open country to restorative spa treatments. So, where should you begin? We asked the people who know the ranch best. 

The team members behind Paws Up activities know which experiences help guests connect with the landscape, embrace Western traditions, and create stories they’ll share long after their stay. Here, three of them share their favorite adventures and what makes each one worthy of a place on your Montana itinerary. After all, the best recommendations come from the people who live it every day. 

For Jackie Kecskes, Equestrian Department Manager, the cattle drive stands out among the many things to do at Paws Up because it offers something more than a trail ride. It’s the rare chance to step into the role of a Montana rancher on an authentic working ranch and discover the purpose, skill, and partnership behind moving cattle across the land.

The experience begins with your horse. As you learn to communicate through subtle cues and move with ease in the saddle, trust develops between rider and horse. That connection becomes especially meaningful when it’s time to work as a team, reading the herd, and helping guide cattle toward their destination.

Along the way, guests gain an introduction to horsemanship, livestock management, and ranch stewardship. They learn why cattle are moved throughout the seasons and how the practice supports the rhythms of ranch life in the American West.

The cattle drive is rewarding for both first-time and experienced riders. Beginners often discover a new sense of confidence, while seasoned equestrians have the chance to use their riding skills in an authentic ranch setting. Either way, the experience ends with a sense of accomplishment – the kind that stays with you long after you leave the saddle.

Samantha Lange, Director of National Accounts, West, recommends an ATV tour for guests eager to experience the extraordinary landscape surrounding Paws Up. Across a property this vast, an ATV makes it possible to cover more ground while remaining immersed in the sights, scents, and shifting terrain of the Montana wilderness.

Part scenic tour and part shared adventure, the outing winds through wooded trails and wide-open terrain to tucked-away corners of the ranch. Guests can stop at landmarks such as the Picnic Site and take in the sweeping view once described by Captain Meriwether Lewis during the Corps of Discovery, part of the rich history of Paws Up.

Around each turn, the Seeley-Swan Range rises in the distance, forests stretch toward the horizon, and Montana’s big sky feels endless – a reminder of how expansive this part of the West can be.

ATV tours are perfect for adventurous families, couples, and groups looking to share the excitement, pause for photographs, and sightsee along the way. For guests searching for the best activities in Montana, this experience belongs near the top of the list.

For Activities and Fishing Manager Ben Pepes, recommending the new Junior Angler Program is personal. He discovered fly fishing at age 10, and the sport has since led him to new friendships, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and countless memories on the river.

Created for curious beginners and young anglers looking to sharpen their skills, this one-day program introduces the fundamentals in a hands-on way, from first cast to first catch. 

Ben and his team hope to share the patience, curiosity, and passion that make Montana fly fishing so rewarding. As he puts it, if the team can get a young angler “hooked” on fly fishing, they are doing their jobs!

For families seeking memorable Montana ranch experiences, the Junior Angler Program offers children the chance to build skills, spend meaningful time outside, and leave with a story (and perhaps a new favorite pastime) of their own.

These recommendations by our team are only the beginning. Guests can cast a line into the legendary waters of the Blackfoot River on a guided fly-fishing excursion or explore Big Sky Country on horseback, where forested trails and expansive views set the pace. In winter, horse-drawn carriage rides, snow tubing, and other seasonal adventures invite guests to embrace the magic of the ranch beneath a blanket of snow.

For a slower rhythm, Spa Town offers restorative treatments in a peaceful meadow in crisp white tents. Island Lodge makes private-island life yours for the day with boating and other activities just steps from your lodge on Salmon Lake. 

Meanwhile, Chuck Wagon dining brings the taste of the American West to life with a chef-prepared open-fire feast, live riverside music, and lawn games beneath the Montana sky.

Together, these experiences reveal why Paws Up is more than a luxury ranch resort in Montana. It’s a place where adventure and relaxation complement one another, offering different ways to become fully present in the landscape, no matter the season. 

No two guests experience the ranch in quite the same way. With more activities than any other ranch resort in Montana, Paws Up gives you the freedom to connect with the spirit of the West in your own way. Experiences for a range of ages, interests, and activity levels allow you to pursue high-energy adventures, embrace a gentler pace, or move easily between the two. It’s why so many guests return year after year – to revisit the activities they love and discover something new. There’s always another trail to follow, tradition to experience, or skill to learn.

The best Paws Up experience is ultimately the one that speaks to you. It may be an adventure you have anticipated for months or the unexpected activity that becomes the highlight of your stay. Follow the lead of the people who live these experiences every day (the people who make Paws Up extraordinary), then leave room for your own discoveries. Whether you come seeking excitement, restoration, or a little of both, you will leave with stories shaped by Montana’s landscape, people, and enduring Western spirit.