Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Montana, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge and Big Sky/Yellowstone area offer a vast playground to outdoor enthusiasts. With breathtaking natural beauty, ideal geographic features and experienced local guide services, guests can experience rugged outdoor adventures by day and savor the luxurious comforts of the Rainbow Ranch Lodge by night.
Fly Fishing
Seasons Available: Fall, Winter, Sping, Summer
As every dedicated angler knows, Montana's rivers are packed with world famous trout. The world class fish coupled with startling vistas brought Hollywood to our backyard with the film "A River Runs Through It." The Gallatin River literally flows through our property! Enjoy a day of fishing right out of your cabin door with our private pond stocked to the brim with Rainbow Trout. Within a two hour radius of our ranch's location, are some of the most famous fly fishing areas in the world including Yellowstone, Madison & Henry's Fork. If you'd like to learn how to fish, or if you're an expert who wants to get the inside scoop on all the most productive local techniques, you can hire one of the ranch's guides for the day. Take fly fishing lessons on our pond, enjoy a walk-and-wade trip on the Gallatin, float the Madison River or take a horseback trip to a pristine mountain lake. Montana is a mecca for millions of trout fisherman and the Rainbow is smack dab in the middle of every fisherman's paradise.
Walk and Wade Trips: As you step into the cool refreshing waters of the Gallatin try to picture yourself in "A River Runs Through it." Let our guides find the perfect and most secretive spots where you'll be guaranteed to hook yourself plenty of large, Montana trout.
Half day wades start at $250
Float Trips: Madison, Yellowstone or other great places
Try your cast from a drift boat as it floats along a beautiful river. You will be able to access places that are very difficult for most anglers to reach. Trip costs include all rental gear, transportation, shuttle service, non-alcoholic beverages, lunches (on full day trips), and personalized professional instruction. Terminal tackle (leaders and flies), fishing licenses, taxes and gratuities are not included in the trip cost.
1 or 2 Anglers - $425
Recommended outfitters: Cache Creek Outfitters, East Slope Outdoors, Montana Angler
|
|
|
Yellowstone National Park
Seasons Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Just 45 minutes from the Rainbow Ranch is the renowned national treasure, Yellowstone National Park. Explore the grandiose geo-thermal features and abundant flora and fauna of the park on your own or with a knowledgeable naturalist guide. Regardless of which you choose, a visit to this protected piece of the American West is not to be missed!
Yellowstone National Park is closed to automobile traffic during the winter, but you can snowmobile miles of trails inside and around the park or take a snowcoach, snowshoe or cross-country ski tour of the park with a naturalist guide. The snow covered trees, countless elk and bison, and erupting geysers make the park a virtual winter wonderland.
Recommended tour guides: Brush Buck
|
|
|
Horseback Riding
Seasons Available: Fall, Spring, Summer
Take a ride through Montana's lush mountain meadows or summit one of the area's 10,000 ft. peaks. Travel to Lemon's Knob while catching sight of some elk, deer, eagles, moose, coyotes, bears and maybe even a wolf a long the way!
Slow Start: For those new to horseback riding or looking to slowly break into the saddle, enjoy a 1 hour trail ride through Montana's backwoods.
$65 per person.
The Big Sky Experience- Half Day: This 3 hour trail ride takes you into some of Montana's unspoiled mountains. Enjoy a leisurely ride through the spectacular pine forests and hanging meadows to unparalleled panoramic views.
$85 per person.
Full Day Horse Adventure: After a 4 hour ascent out of the river valley, you'll feel on top of the world when you reach your destination, the summit. Before heading back to the ranch, stretch your legs during the lunch break and enjoy a nice, relaxing picnic or a short hike. Try picking a better way to spend your day!
$165 per person (2 person minimum)
Recommended outfitters: Cache Creek Outfitters
|
|
|
Hiking & Mountain Biking
Seasons Available: Fall, Spring, Summer
At the foot of Rainbow Ranch Lodge’s property is the Gallatin National Forest offering seemingly endless miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking.
|
|
|
Whitewater Rafting
Seasons Available: Fall, Spring, Summer
Welcome to one of the premiere rafting rivers in the west! The Gallatin offers you the chance to take in incredible scenery and paddle through some fun, challenging and continuous whitewater. Different stretches of river offered for varying skill levels.
Half Day Lower White Water
This famous rafting trip is said to be the best river experience in the Yellowstone area and will surely be one of the highlights of your Montana vacation. This exciting adventure combines both the thrill of the whitewater and the magnificent views of the wild Gallatin Canyon. Feel the excitement grow as you plunge through Screaming Left, House Rock and the Mad Mile.
Adults: $56 per person
12 and Under: $46 per person
Full Day Whitewater
Spend the morning experiencing breathtaking views and the abundant natural wildlife. After a gourmet Deli Lunch, experience the mad dash of the Mad Mile, a white water rush guaranteed to leave you soaked and wanting more. Make sure to paddle hard!
Adults: $93 per person
12 and Under: $74 per person
Recommended outfitters: Geyser Whitewater, Montana Whitewater Raft Company
|
|
|
Yoga
Seasons Available: Fall, Spring, Summer
Montana's breathtaking and vast landscapes are the ideal place for yoga. Come and practice mindfulness with the music of the babbling brooks and the Gallatin River in the distance. The weight and enormity of the mountains provides a perfect place for contemplations and readying yourself before hitting the mat.
Private Yoga Sessions for 2: $120 per session
|
|
|
Alpine Skiing
Seasons Available: Winter, Spring
Praised for their world-class terrain, lack of lift lines, and over 400 inches of annual snowfall, the Big Sky Resort, Moonlight Basin and Lone Mountain Ranch resorts are located just 15 miles from the Rainbow Ranch Lodge. With a wide array of terrain from easy cruising groomers to nail-biting steeps and deeps, the resorts have something to offer skiers of all ages and abilities.
Recommended outfitters: East Slope Outdoors
|
|
|
Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing
Seasons Available: Winter
Enjoy the peace, solitude and amazing views of the Gallatin Canyon covered in a blanket of snow while gliding along the over 75 kilometers of world-class, cross-country ski trails in the area. Backed by seemingly endless forest service land, the Ranch is a perfect staging point for a backcountry snowshoe excursion. Snowshoeing the miles of snow-covered forest service trails surrounding the Ranch is a peaceful and invigorating way to spend a winter’s day.
Recommended outfitters: East Slope Outdoors
|
|
|
Dog Sledding
Seasons Available: Winter
One of the most unique and unforgettable ways to explore the Montana wilderness is on a dogsled trek. Guests are encouraged to become one with the well-trained spirited athletes that pull them peacefully over the snow while breathtaking views surround the trail. Guides offer instruction on handling the Alaskan huskies and provide guests with memories to last a lifetime.
Recommended outfitters: Spirit of the North
|
|
|
Zip Lining
Seasons Available: Winter, Summer
Soar like a bird with no experience necessary. Zip line tours give you a
birds-eye view of the forest and move you across scenery that cannot be viewed
from the ground. Zip through the Moose Tracks forest or across the Gallatin
River for the thrill of your
life!
Recommended outfitters: Yellowstone Zip
|
|
|
Golf
Seasons Available: Summer
Situated at an elevation of 6,800 feet, golfers can enjoy added distance on their shots at the Arnold Palmer-designed, Big Sky Golf Course. The 72-par course offers 18 holes of picturesque mountain golf.
|
|
|
