The Ranch at Rock Creek is the world's first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star guest ranch. A Relais & Chåteaux property, this all-inclusive luxury guest ranch brings together upscale amenities and wide open spaces like never before.
Set among 10 square miles of rugged Montana ranchland just outside historic Philipsburg, Montana, The Ranch offers guests over 30 outdoor recreational activities, 29 unique accommodations featuring four different styles (lodge rooms, canvas cabins (glamping), historic barn and luxury homes), memorable ranch cuisine, and a full-service spa. Families, couples and friends will discover that The Ranch at Rock Creek is a special place that offers the best of America's “true West” without sacrificing true comfort.
Our activities program, like everything at The Ranch at Rock Creek, is designed with individual tastes, preferences, and needs in mind. Everything is included here - horseback riding on trails that weave among stunning 6000+ acres, fly fishing on our stretch of Blue Ribbon Rock Creek, fishing our stocked trout ponds, wildlife watching, target shooting, ropes course, hiking, biking and evening entertainment in The Silver Dollar Saloon are all popular pursuits. In the summer months, guests enjoy a weekly rodeo, breakfast ride and barn dance. Open year round, The Ranch becomes a winter wonderland with adventures including cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowcat tours, sleigh rides, snowga and snowmobiling just outside the door. Alpine skiers and snowboarders can join The Ranch's Ski Concierge to enjoy nearby Discover Ski Area - included in the nightly rate. Weather permitting, horsebacking and target shooting are available as well.
In the spring and fall, The Ranch features special offers for anglers, wildlife and nature enthusiasts, and couples who want to reconnect under the big Montana sky. The Buckle Barn, which includes a library, expo kitchen and grand hall, is wonderful venue for group events such as weddings, retreats, team building, musical performans, group yoga, barn dances, and grand dinners and receptions.
Good time to go
The most popular time to visit is May through October due to all-inclusive activity offerings. However, spring and fall are prime fly fishing and horseback riding seasons. Winter is gaining in popularity as The Ranch now includes all-inclusive downhill skiing and snowboarding at nearby Discovery Ski Area, in addition to over a dozen included on-Ranch winter sports. Seasonal celebrations including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Autumn Harvest Weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve.
Children at the Ranch
Great for children aged 4 and over
Whether it’s pretending to be cowboys or learning to be outdoor explorers, Montana has limitless ways for kids to realize their dreams – and at The Ranch at Rock Creek, we always enjoy sharing this unique part of the world with them. We encourge families to participate in our guided outdoor activities together. The Ranch is a wonderful vacation spot for families with children of different ages because of the array of activities that are available.
The Little Grizzlies Kids Club is available as a featured activity for children ages 4-12. These supervised, fun and educational sessions take place in the morning and afternoon throughout the week. Each day features a theme, from Rivers & Ponds to Cowboys & Horses to Ranching History.
Arts & Crafts
play-doh, coloring, sketching, Decorating cookies, popsicle stick creations, tie dying, face painting, nature walks, swimming and so much more
Activities
hiking, biking, picnics, supervised swimming, Sand castle building, cooking class, and more
Games
scavenger/treasure hunts, board games, horseshoes, soccer, bowling, volleyball, badminton, ping pong, pool table, ring toss, hula hoop, shuffleboard, and more
Riding based activities
animal care, horse care, pony rides, arena riding, trail riding, rodeo
Baby Sitting
Hourly cost $Varies.
Baby Sitting Provided By
Can be pre-arranged.
Environmental & Social Practices
Environment
The Ranch is proud of its responsible stewardship of the ranch land and Rock Creek. Rock Creek is one of few American waterways that has earned the Blue Ribbon status. Our guides and guest practice catch and release at all times to preserve this viable fishery. The freestone mountain stream boasts seven species of fish: Westslope cutthroat, rainbow, cut-bow, brown, brookie, bull and the Rocky Mountain whitefish.
Community
The Ranch at Rock Creek is dedicated to serving the Granite County community and surrounding area through the support of local organizations and events that improve the lives of our fellow citizens.
Conservation
The Ranch is actively involved with regional conservation organizations and is proud to be a founding member of the National Geographic Society's Unique Lodges of the World.
Ranch History
Following the Homestead Act of 1862, people over the age of 21 were allowed to claim a federal land grant in the Western territories. As was typical, The Ranch originally began as a mining claim. Nearby Philipsburg came to life during the silver mining boom of the late 1800s. Sapphires were first discovered in the Rock Creek drainage in 1892.
Along side the mining boom, Utah cattle baron Fred Burr introduced cattle ranching to the Flint Creek Valley in the 1850s - a pursuit that has persevered through the decades. In the late 1800s, this land was homesteaded by WW. Shaffer and P.W. White.
It has changed hands through the decades, but has operated continuously as a working cattle ranch during that time. In the 1940s, The Ranch was purchased by F.S. LeGrow. Subsequent owners include a former member of the Roosevelt administration, named Hobson, businessman Bucko Staninger, military officer Paul Burdette, Donna and Dean Strand and Max Watson. Current owner, Jim Manley, spent 20 years looking for the perfect ranch, following his childhood love of the frontier West. Manley searched for specific qualities in a ranch, including a river running through the property and a nearby ski hill. In 2007, his search for the perfect ranch ended. After several years enjoying The Ranch with family and friends, he decided to share the experience with others. He added many wonderful features and it soon became the all-inclusive luxury guest ranch it is today.