Tag: Glamping®

Posted on

Paws Up Featured in Men’s Journal

Men's Journal Magazine - Men's Style, Travel, Fitness and Gear

The gold standard of the upscale version of experiencing the great outdoors, a stay at one of the upscale campsites at Montana’s Resort at Paws Up will have even the most rugged backwoodser questioning his spartan ideals. Situated along the Blackfoot River (the very same that inspired ‘A River Runs Through It’), Paws Up’s “glamping®” (glamorous camping, naturally) sites are the epitome of luxury and comfort: For the River Camp, your tent is a mere cast away from the water, and, by the way, is actually a sumptuously furnished, house-sized living space with canvas walls and roof, plus electricity and en suite bathroom. Nights are spent by a crackling campfire enjoying s’mores (prepared by your personal butler, naturally) before drifting off to sleep with the sounds of a gentle wind blowing through the trees and the distant bugle calls of elk.

Creature comforts aside, though, the real draw is the exceptional beauty of Montana, and the chance to experience it with a little adventure. For many, that comes in the form of rapelling down a huge, 167-foot cliff – said to be the same spot where Meriwether Lewis once stood as he crossed the U.S. – with a view of the Blackfoot River below that’s simply breathtaking. Other activities we partook in were archery, ATV-ing through the mountain valleys (which you can also do on horseback), and a sweet massage in a tent with a view of the valley. Every morning, we’d wake up to beautiful sunrises with herds of cows off in the distance. The food at Paws Up’s onsite restaurant Pomp is as good as anything you’ll find in the big city. That said, as a vegetarian, this writer didn’t try any of the hallmark meat dishes (the huckleberry pancakes were pretty awesome, though).

Naturally, Paws Up offers plenty of activities that don’t require an adrenaline spike. After all, Montana is world famous for fly fishing, and the best way to spend a tranquil morning is by casting your line in the Blackfoot River while watching the sunrise over the nearby mountains. One of the most beautiful moments we experienced came during a helicopter ride, when we crossed over a herd of horses, which began to chase us as we flew by. The sound of the hooves running in the field almost made our entire group cry. The guy who works at Paws Up had never seen anything like it. That pretty well describes an experience here.

-Ryan Van Duzer

Posted on

Roughing it in style at The Resort at Paws Up

By Matt Trainor

Our teeth chattered as we pulled up to a sandy bank on the Blackfoot River to disembark after a three-hour run down some mild rapids. It was, after all, no more than 40 degrees and overcast, but we quickly stripped off our wetsuits, hopped into warm fleeces, and ran to a roaring fire, a cooler of beer and wine (no ice needed), and a gourmet spread of cheeses and fruits. Now, this, I thought, is “roughing it.” I was at the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana: a place that was made and revels in the spirit of Lewis and Clark, but also ensures you needn’t live like they did. It’s a place where you can experience the natural wonder of Montana, steep yourself in its history, get out into nature, and know that when you get back you’ll be pampered to the extreme. It didn’t even feel indulgent to do so after a day like the one I just had; it was deserved. And, as my teeth stopped chattering and the wine warmed up my toes, I took a look around and realized how truly unique this place is.

The resort is situated amidst wild Montana terrain; a cozy interior perfect for chilly nights; view of the boundless acres of beautiful land; outdoor dining on a cabin deck.

The taxidermy at baggage claim should have tipped me off when I arrived in Missoula the day before. The fact that it wasn’t some vaguely ironic stuffed deer head on the restaurant wall should have told me something. This was a full woodland diorama, with a mountain lion stalking a buck over by the carousel and a black bear skulking menacingly over by the exit sign. Montana is a place where the pioneer spirit still burns bright. A place where Manifest Destiny was once an actual, executive order more than simply an attitude. Where hunting and fishing and rugged individualism are a part of daily life. But it’s also a place that recognizes what it has, celebrates it, and rolls out a lush and inviting welcome mat to anyone who comes to experience it.

And so it was that a driver from Paws Up picked me up and drove through the cold, rainy weather and delivered me to the resort, just 40 minutes from the airport. “We go through all four seasons in an afternoon here,” my driver told the group as we pulled in. “It was 80 degrees all week last week.” (Quick note: Packing for a trip out here requires layers—lots and lots of layers.) Besides the dramatic weather, the key takeaway from our drive was the relatively unspoiled beauty of Montana’s landscape. It’s the type of rough-hewn, wild country that can usually only be experienced in our largest of national parks, but out here it’s just, well, the backyard. There are pine groves; stunningly large, open plains; wide, rocky rivers; and sheer cliffs. This is the type of country that had Lewis and Clark writing effusive letters back to President Thomas Jefferson in Washington (I resorted to e-mail, but it was still pretty effusive).

Montana Magic
Activities include horseback riding, fly-fishing, and hot air ballooning in Montana’s majestic Blackfoot Valley.

There are horses in paddocks for riding, ATVs for revving, and rafts for rowing, among countless other activities for the modern adventurer.

Consisting of more than 37,000 acres, the beautiful grounds of Paws Up certainly possess every amenity a five-star resort could hold, but it’s the exploration of that acreage that visitors really delight in. There are horses in paddocks for riding, ATVs for revving, and rafts for rowing, among countless other activities for the modern adventurer. Guests can even “camp” in a canvas tent down by the Blackfoot River (room service still on call). This is what Paws Up calls “glamping®” or “glam camping.” And it is, too. Just picture yourself wrapped in Beacon print blankets by a fireplace, waiting for a chef to come down and prepare an en-suite meal, and you’ll get the idea. For those who prefer a bit more modernity, however, you can book yourself and the whole family into one of the perfectly appointed luxury homes spaced throughout the grounds (Low-speed hybrid Kias are assigned to some of the houses to get you from your home or “glampground” to the dining rooms and activity centers).

Regardless of which lodgings and activities you choose, the unabashedly cheerful staff will help customize your ideal exploration experience. The only difficulty is with the sheer grandeur of the whole place; it’s impossible to do everything in one trip. Maybe that’s why Lewis and Clark chose this corner of the world as part of their journey West and their return trip East—they couldn’t get enough of it. Or maybe it was just the quickest route—I can’t be sure. But I do know that if they had had a place as perfect as the Resort at Paws Up to visit, they might never have made it back at all.

Posted on

Happy National S’mores Day!

On behalf of everyone here at Paws Up, we’d like to wish you a very happy National S’mores Day.  Here’s our special take on this delicious outdoor treat: the S’mores Doughnut.

Posted on

I’m Not a Camper, but I am a Glamper

JustLuxe | Affluent Lifestyle Guide

Katherine Bond

I don’t like to camp, but I love to glamp. That is, I don’t want to sleep in a soggy sleeping bag or spend 3 hours propping up a dingy tent while doused in bug spray. But put me in a King size bed called the “Last Best Bed,” pre-heat my tent’s bathrooms’ tile floors, and throw in a camp butler and then yes, I am a glamper or “Glamorous” camper. “Glamping®” allegedly originated in the 1900s as well-heeled Brits desired to see the savannahs of Africa without missing afternoon tea and hot British cuisine, cooked nightly but a private chef. Nowadays, glamping has swept the luxury travel market most aggressively in the last five years, offering discerning luxury travelers a way to connect with nature without forgoing plush amenities, such as five course meals and copper hot tubs.

My most recent glamping experience was at The Resort at Paws Up, one of Montana’s very best luxury ranches, self-dubbed “the Last Best Place.” It is. I covered the property last year, from the view of a cabin guest. Leaving the property for the first time last summer, I felt like that kid at summer camp in a fit of tears on the last day of camp. There I was, being dragged away, frantically waving, “I’ll be back! I’ll be back!” Paws Up has that effect on its adult guests. This second visit was my first time at a “Paws Up” camp, and I was certainly sad to depart. Here are a few reasons why:

The Tent: Paws Up offers four campgrounds, each distinctly snuggled into nooks within the 37,000 acres of Paws Up forest. Our camp, Creekside Camp, lines the idyllic Elk Creek, heard faintly from the deck of our 830 square foot tent. A Paws Up “tent” is hardly a few flaps of canvas. Each tent is the mansion Mother Nature would stay in, complete with hardwood and carpeted floors, a stunning heated tile bathroom with Kolher fixtures, seating areas of plush leather chairs, and rustic décor. If it weren’t for the chirps of birds or rustles of pines, I would have never guessed I was “outside.” That’s the best part, too. One night, a thunder and lightening shower rumbled around our tent, filling the cool mountain air with the light hiss of rain while I read a good book under the ultra cozy pile of my pine King-size bed.

The Cuisine: One of my favorite aspects of our camp was the welcoming dining pavilion, a half-outdoor, half-indoor plaza for daily meals. A roaring fire usually welcomed us in the morning, flanked by a wall of stonework and imbedded standard refrigerator, always stocked with refreshments. Leather couches, a bar area, and sturdy coffee table made this a great gathering area. This, in turn, led to the dining tables and an outdoor fire pit rimmed with timber seating. Our on-site chef, a sweet Montanan, could whip up anything in his full-size kitchen. My favorite dishes were the grilled elk loin salad with local mushrooms, thepan roasted quail legs with black truffle sauce, and the country buttermilk panna cotta. It dawned on me that I don’t eat this well even at “indoor” resorts, let alone ones next to a sleepy creek and a carpet of pinecones.

The Fun: A friend of mine asked me, once I returned, “So what do you do all day in the forest?” Ah, this friend is not a glamper, nor a guest of Paws Up. The resort has a list of rustic activities so exhaustive that guests sometimes stay over a week just to cover a significant chunk. Yoga classes, horseshoes, croquet, disc golf, gym access, and pony rides are a few of the included activities with any stay. I particularly like the “geocaching” adventure, a little nature scavenger hunt rewarded with resort goodies for successful uncoverings. For those desiring a body bounce, the new “Bone Rattler Raceway” is now open. Learn the off-road skills needed to sail, swerve, and crush along a challenging off-roading course, while in the resort’s custom built Jeep.  Personally, I’ll be back for the Spa Town’s new services, including a huckleberry body scrub and barbed wire body wrap. Also new for next year:  Blackfoot Camp, which Paws Up claims will be its largest and most luxurious campsite yet. I suppose the sweet owners of Paws Up, a nice husband and wife in love with Montana, just like the fun of making the Last Best Place even better every passing year.
Posted on

The Resort at Paws Up Takes “Glamping®” to New Level


Looking for the perfect last-minute summer vacation that combines luxury and an unforgettable adventure for the whole family? The Resort at Paws Up in Montana recently unveiled their new Moonlight Camp, taking glamorous camping, or “glamping,” to a whole new level. 

Moonlight Camp consists of six spacious canvas tents located at the foot of Lewis and Clark’s famous Lookout Rock and 100 yards from Blackfoot River. Guests have the option to choose between four two-bedroom tents, which are perfect for families, and two one-bedroom tents. Each luxury tent contains an en-suite bathroom, Paw Up’s signature Last Best Bed, gourmet meals prepared by a private camp chef at the tented dining pavilion, and a camping butler to ensure all your needs are fulfilled.

The luxury ranch resort is located on 37,000 acres in the heart of Blackfoot Valley in western Montana and provides endless activities for the entire family to enjoy. Guests can choose daily activities from the largest menu of wildness activities in North America, including horseback riding, river floats, mountain biking, sporting clays, fly-fishing, cattle drives and ATV adventures.

Rates for Moonlight Camp start at $1,025 per night based on double occupancy and include three meals a day for two people. Last-minute stays are still available before the end of the summer season. Moonlight Camp is open seasonally until September 15.

Posted on

The World’s Best Luxury Camps

From Travelite

Reunite with nature minus the hassles at The Resort at Paws Up, a 37,000-acre luxury ranch in the heart of Montana. Discover a lavish way of camping as the resort expertly blends authentic nature experience with creature comforts. Take in the views surrounding your tent before settling in the finely designed space with its private master bathroom and the most comfortable bed you’ll ever sleep in, known at the resort as The Last Best Bed with 300-count linens, down duvet comforters and over-sized pillows. While at camp, enjoy personalized service from your camping butler and skilled camp chef. Yes, this means gourmet meals in elegant outdoor settings. Resist the urge of getting holed up in your tent; rather, have a go at the wilderness adventures and dude ranch activities. Take your pick from the exhilarating recreations from trail riding to cliff rappelling, ATV riding, whitewater rafting and fly-fishing on the famed Blackfoot River. The resort’s latest addition to its brand of luxury is the Pinnacle Camp, which is truly at the peak of grandeur boasting the camp’s largest tents, en-suite bathrooms with jetted tubs and unparalleled views of Elk Creek and the Blackfoot River. For a romantic touch, book the secluded Tango Point tent featuring a lovely copper tub set in the middle of the bedroom. Before retreating to your tent, unwind and get cozy by the stone and timber fireplace at the Pinnacle Camp’s open-air dining pavilion and lounge. You may book an entire camp for your exclusive use; however, reservations should be placed at least one year in advance. The best time to go is from late May to September for pleasant outdoor weather.

Posted on

Trend Report: Glamping® it Up Honeymoon Ideas

Colin Cowie Weddings

At Paws Up in Montana, tented suites feature private decks, rustic décor and all the peace and quiet you could ever need.

Big Sky Country

Set on a whopping 37,000 acres in the wilds of Montana (where the 1992 Brad Pitt flick A River Runs Through It was shot) is Paws Up, the ultimate luxury tent adventure property in the U.S. There are just 24 specially fashioned tents situated to offer panoramic vistas, ultra privacy and amenities like outdoor hot tubs and 300 thread-count linens. Paws Up even has two restaurants on site—but don’t worry about over-indulging, you can easily work it off on their 120-plus miles of trails.

Posted on

Justin Bieber Wants To Go Glamping®…We Know The Perfect Spot!

Justin Bieber wants to go Glamping

Justin Bieber is interested in trying Glamping.  We think he should come to Paws Up!

The 18-year-old millionaire admitted he is intrigued by the idea of glamorous camping as a means to explore his outdoorsy side.

He told this month’s We Love Pop magazine: ”I heard of this thing called Glamping.

”It’s like glamorous camping. You heard of it? It’s GLAM-ping.”

The pop star went on to explain that he thinks the notion is ”cool” because you can have similar luxuries as being at home.

He continued: ”You sleep on a bed. It’s a mattress bed! In a huge tent with TV and everything. You have electricity and stuff but you’re still in amongst the wildlife. It’s pretty cool.”

Despite being a world traveler, the Canadian teenager is still learning about many aspects of life.

He was recently mocked by a U.S. chat show host when he failed to understand that David Letterman meant Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in The Vatican in Rome when referring to potential tattoos for the star.

He answered; ”I’m not going for the 16th chapel look.”

David joked about his misunderstanding: ”Canadian high school!”

Posted on

Fodor’s: Where to go Glamping Across the U.S.

By Bee-Shyuan Chang

The-Resort-at-Paws-Up.jpg

The Resort at Paws Up – Montana

With 2-3 bedroom fully furnished tents that are cleaned twice daily, the experience at The Resort at Paws Up is more like that of a fabulous safari with the prices to match. (From $1,025, including airport and on-property transportation.)

Why Go: It’s the last word in luxury camping–you’ll find the kind of luxe niceties you might see in a Ralph Lauren ad.

Insider Tip: Try your hand at fly-fishing in Blackfoot River before indulging at the resort’s gourmet dining pavilion.