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December 11, 2017December 12, 2017

10 Winter Favorites at The Resort at Paws Up

We are counting down to the holidays and wintertime at The Resort at Paws Up. Read below for our top pics of winter favorites on our 37,000-acre Montana luxury ranch.

10 A WINTER COCKTAIL ENJOYED IN TANK. Special wintery drinks include the Basil Martini with black lava salt and vodka; the Swan Lake with coffee liqueur, vodka and a candy cane rim and the white-rum Whitefish Cocoa with orange, cinnamon and clove.

9 TWO WORDS: HUCKLEBERRY PANCAKES. Our executive chef often turns to locally sourced, fresh ingredients, and there’s not a more tantalizing example than this breakfast favorite, served with real Montana huckleberry syrup.

8 COW CROQUET. It doesn’t get more Montana than Cow Croquet, a brand-new Paws Up activity. You and three teammates mount horses in our indoor arena and guide cows through one of five gates—just as if you were knocking croquet balls through hoops in the back yard.

7 WINTER TRIATHLON. The Paws Up triathlon combines the precision of target shooting and archery with the thrill of cross-country skiing through our glorious winter wonderland. We’ll set you up with everything you need—skis, boots, poles and your own .22-caliber rifle.

6 SLEIGH RIDES. Join our wranglers and their majestic draft horses as they ring in the winter with an enchanting horse-drawn sleigh ride through frosted forests and over powdery hills. Even Kris Kringle would be jealous.

5 DOGSLEDDING. Go ahead, yell “mush!” and off you’ll go into the wild white yonder. Imagine being pulled by Iditarod champion Alaskan huskies through the wilds of Montana—all at the foot of the majestic Garnet Mountains.

4 SNOWMOBILE TRIPS TO GARNET GHOST TOWN. A hundred years ago, Garnet was a thriving town, filled with gold miners. In the winter, Garnet is only accessible by snowmobile, so the only tracks you’re likely to see (other than your own) belong to the resident wildlife.

3 MINDY’S HOTCHOCOLATE. James Beard Award winner Chef Mindy Segal of Chicago’s HotChocolate restaurant will be Paws Up’s resident rock star pastry chef December 26–30. Segal will lead cooking-making classes and serve up her famous velvety hot chocolate.

2. CONOR’S S’MORES. Conor Dannis is Paws Up’s official s’moreologist. His process is a thrill to witness, and Dannis mixes it up by using gourmet ingredients, such as bourbon-flavored marshmallows, dark chocolate and sea salt caramel squares.

1. NEW YEAR’S EVE. Ring in the new year with a dazzling night that begins with an elegant, five-course dinner and ends with live music by American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox, a dance performance by Missoula’s MASC Artisans, “presenting acrobatic air and fire” and (boom) . . . fireworks!

July 26, 2017June 30, 2023

10 Reasons to Visit The Resort at Paws Up in August

If you’re looking to make last-minute vacation plans before the chaos of back-to-school and fall schedules ramps up, then check out these August activities at The Resort at Paws Up. We have an extensive list of Wilderness Workshops and special events to keep guests the fun kind of busy almost every day of the month. Brush up on your photography skills in our 37,000-acre Montana paradise, participate in a thunderous drum circle, make mouthwatering creations with pizza expert Ken Forkish, create unique s’mores concoctions and up your horsemanship game. Foodies can devour dishes made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients by Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson, relax at the longest dinner table they’ve ever seen and enjoy many more palate-pleasing options. Here are 10 reasons to visit Paws Up this August—good luck deciding which one is best for you!

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Sunset Photography with Stuart Thurlkill

Join Stuart Thurlkill for a brief tutorial on how best to capture subjects and landscapes in the setting sunlight, and then venture out into the field together to actually take photos during the golden hour. Bring your camera, or feel free to use the one on your phone. (Lesson is complimentary.)

August 4-6, 2017

Cookbook Live® Presents The Elements of Pizza Featuring Chef and Author Ken Forkish

Spend a weekend getting your hands doughy with pizza expert Ken Forkish. This flaky and fun-filled baking weekend brings to life Forkish’s The Elements of Pizza. By day, you’ll create works of edible art from fresh local ingredients. And by night, you’ll dine on the masterfully executed cuisine of Paws Up’s Executive Chef Ben Jones. It’s the perfect treat for anyone who’s passionate about just-out-of-the-oven pizza.

August 3-9, 2017 Gettin’ Primitive: Put the Whole Family in a Timeout

Learn about the old ways from an honest-to-goodness mountain man—Paws Up’s resident outdoorsman Gary Steele. For four days at his self-built camp, you and your kids will get hands-on instruction in primitive skills like edible plant identification, fire making, knot tying, longbow archery, music making, orienteering, shelter building, storytelling, tomahawk throwing, tracking and woodsmanship.

August 10-16, 2017

Cookbook Live® Presents Cookie Love Featuring Chef and Author Mindy Segal

Thursday, August 10, is National S’mores Day and, as the pioneers of glamping®, we’re giving this holiday the celebration it richly deserves. In fact, we’re pulling out all the chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows and more—for an entire week.

To help us honor the ooey-gooey deliciousness of this famous campfire treat, we’ve invited James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal. She’ll be roasting marshmallows right along with you. She’ll prepare and serve her own unique s’mores creations. And she’ll serve as the guest judge for our resort-wide S’mores-Off Competition. What a sweet job!

As part of our new Cookbook Live series, Segal will “stick” around in our kitchens and at a different camp each night. You’ll get an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at favorite recipes in her widely hailed book, Cookie Love. And you can count on getting a few samples to munch on.

August 11-14, 2017

Starry Night Photography with Barbara Van Cleve

Get to know acclaimed ranch-life photographer and Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree Barbara Van Cleve while taking part in a unique and captivating photography workshop. Known for her spectacular nighttime imagery, Van Cleve will instruct workshop participants on how to capture vivid, dreamy photographs under a starry, moonlit sky. With more than 50 solo photography exhibits to her name and a lifetime of experience in the West and on ranches, she’ll show you new ways of visualizing, conceptualizing and capturing the images you want to share with the world. You might also run into her on a trail ride or around a campfire.

August 11-14, 2017

Champion Horsemanship with Barbara Schultz

Take your horsemanship skills up a notch with instruction from the real deal, National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree Barbra Schulte. With an emphasis on mental toughness, she’s helped elite riders all over the country reach their full potential. Here, with her guidance, you’ll focus on control as you wind through obstacle courses along scenic trails, and you’ll practice your aim on horseback with water-gun mounted shooting. Class sizes are small, and you’ll have ample opportunity to get to know this horse-riding legend. It’s a fun and exciting way to learn just what it takes to be an authentic champion cowboy or cowgirl.

August 15-21, 2017

Drum Circle Madness with Scott Besaw

If a drum circle happens in our forest, you should make sure you’re around to hear it. We’re pleased to welcome Scott Besaw back to Paws Up for his annual event that turns even the most rhythmically challenged into stellar little drummer boys (or girls, or adults). Besaw hails from Chicago’s world-famous Old Town School of Folk Music and brings with him an infectious passion for all things music. It’s a hands-on (literally, no sticks required) course that teaches basic music principles as well as team building.

August 18, 2017

Nature Walk Photography with Stuart Thurlkill

After a quick tutorial of camera (or smartphone) fundamentals, you’ll be transported to a scenic drop-off point, where you’ll hike with Join Stuart Thurlkill to enjoy and document Montana’s unique flora and fauna firsthand. (Lesson is $75 per person.)

August 19, 2017

Montana Long Table:^®Bounty on the Blackfoot A Montana Long Table Event featuring Chef Brooke Williamson

Many chefs try but few can deliver a true farm-to-table dining experience. During Bounty on the Blackfoot, you’ll learn just what it takes. We’ve invited 2017 Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson to demonstrate her signature talent—taking locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and turning them into mouthwatering masterpieces. Along with Chef Ben Jones, she’ll stock up at the Missoula farmers market in the morning to grab the freshest of the fresh and then return to create an unforgettable, one-night-only dinner tasting menu before your very eyes.

September 1-5, 2017

Cookbook Live® Presents Smoke and Around the Fire

Featuring chefs and authors Tim Byres, Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez-Denton

Sink your teeth into a mouthwatering celebration of live fire cooking. Texan barbecuing expert and world-famous smokeologist Tim Byres joins with 2017 James Beard Award winners (Best Chef: Northwest) Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez-Denton to help Paws Up present a Labor Day grilling extravaganza. These three kindred-spirit chefs will demonstrate their techniques and offer firsthand lessons on imbuing all kinds of food with irresistible flame-influenced flavors. Come and watch as these renowned chefs bring to life their latest books.

May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

Paws Up Delivers the Duality of Wellness With AdrenZen

The Resort at Paws Up hosted its first-ever wellness weekend event, AdrenZen (short for “Adrenaline Meets Zen”), May 5–8, 2017, and guests who traveled to The Resort for adventure activities mixed with opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation were not disappointed. Our ranch provided the perfect setting for the creation of new friendships and bonding, spiritual inspiration, wilderness adventures and the renewal of a mutual love for the outdoors. Guests enjoyed wholesome cuisine and healthy cocktails—and they didn’t miss a single calorie (mostly because they were too busy burning them off).

AdrenZen guest yoga instructor Lauren Taus said, “As a seasoned traveler with ample luxury experience, I can tell you that The Resort at Paws Up stands out in so many ways. It’s the attention to detail here that makes the biggest difference. And Chef Ben Jones blew me—and my taste buds—away at every meal. His homemade kombucha is next-level.”

After starting each day with morning yoga, guests enjoyed chef specials, including a full fresh juice bar. Visiting fitness expert and The Biggest Loser star Jen Widerstrom connected with participants during small-group fitness activities, such as our first-ever Ranch-Athlon. This event featured a combination ATV tour and rappelling experience led by Widerstrom—capped with a huge adrenaline rush as everyone descended a sheer, 167-foot rock face.

More adventure followed in the form of a one-mile Grizzlyman Fitness Trail excursion led by Widerstrom. Guests made quick, calorie-burning stops at 12 stations along the trail to complete climbing, balancing and swinging challenges. In addition, the Sky Line Aerial Adventure Park, tucked away neatly in the middle of The Resort’s forest, offered the option to navigate rickety bridges, spider nets, swinging platforms, tightropes and a heart-pounding 40-foot free fall.

For the Zen element of the event, guests stretched and posed their way to relaxation with Taus, recognized by Self magazine as one of the country’s top trainers. Her most popular class of the weekend was vino yoga. Guests warmed their muscles through a range of movement and pleased their palates with a selection of fine wines. It was the perfect preamble to free time filled with treatments at Spa Town, a hands-on private cooking class led by guest Chef Kelly Liken, at-your-own-pace meditation hikes and horseback riding on our gorgeous 37,000-acres of trails with scenic vistas of the Blackfoot River.

If you weren’t here for the first-ever Paws Up wellness event and feel like you missed out, you can remedy that regret at the fall AdrenZen event on October 20–23, 2017. You don’t want to miss out this time around. We have even more fabulous features planned, so book your reservation now.

Praise for AdrenZen

“My experience at The Resort at Paws Up for the AdrenZen weekend was the highlight of my year. All the staff throughout The Resort were extremely accommodating and kind and took care of any needs or questions that I had throughout my weekend. I had a wonderful time exploring the outdoors at The Resort of Paws up because of the exquisite location, respectful staff and impeccable service. I would highly recommend The Resort.”—Katelynn Lee, AdrenZen guest

“I am fortunate to have been a part of AdrenZen weekend. The whole place is serene and magical, but what was really unexpected was the opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone in a safe and relaxed environment. I would go back again and again.”—Bhavani Raju, AdrenZen guest

“As an international retreat leader, finding a place that is as special as The Resort at Paws Up is rare. The space invites quiet reflection, exploration and growth, while also offering every luxury you could imagine. Everybody had an incredible time, and I loved hosting a wellness event there. Jen Widerstrom and I both look forward to bringing more growth and healing to this property soon.”—Lauren Taus, AdrenZen guest yoga instructor

July 19, 2016June 30, 2023

How to Put the Glam into Camping at Paws Up

Luxury camping at The Resort at Paws Up is nature served on a gleaming silver platter. Known as North America’s premier glamping® destination, The Resort at Paws Up features five luxe tented camps that cater to families, couples and groups. Each safari-style tent features fine linens, comfortable beds, chic rustic furnishings, art-adorned walls, electricity, air-conditioning, heat and—most importantly—a camping butler at your beck and call. Learn from our Resort Manager, Charles Daenen, and our Glamping Operations Manager, Eddie Young, how we turned old-fashioned camping into glorified glamping.

1. What are the necessities to “glamp” up a camping experience?

Charles: Be flexible. You are not checking into a five-star suite with a 50-inch television and a minibar, but you are getting ready for an experience of a lifetime.

Eddie: Lots of s’mores, a sturdy pair of boots and a mind that’s open to new and fun experiences.

2. What’s the funniest request you’ve received from a guest?

Charles: I was once asked to sing happy birthday in my native language—Dutch—and it sounded awful, as I cannot sing. But I made the entire group laugh.

Eddie: A guest once asked me to remove ants from a tent, without harming them. (All ants were safely removed.)

3. What about a guest’s most unique request?

Charles: A guest wanted to have one of our ponies come to a camp and stay next to her child’s bed inside the tent until she fell asleep.

Eddie: I had a guest who wanted me to try to get an elk close enough to touch.

4. What necessities should a guest bring to Paws Up glamping tents?

Charles: An open-minded attitude. You are going to experience a vacation like nothing you’ve done before.

Eddie: The tents have pretty much everything you could need, and if they don’t, we can get it for you.

5. What is the most unique aspect of Paws Up?

Charles: There are actually two things that make the glamping adventure unique: the location and the willingness of the staff to go the extra mile time after time. If one of those two things was missing, it just would not be the same experience.

Eddie: Our employees at Paws Up are special. They are friendly, genuine and passionate about giving our guests a great glamping experience.

6. Where is your personal ultimate favorite place to camp?

Charles: The deck of Cliffside Camp early in the morning, drinking coffee and watch the sunrise while eagles soar above the Blackfoot River looking for breakfast.

Eddie: All camps have features that make them individual, and I can honestly make a case for each being my favorite. Moonlight Camp has a special place in my heart, as it was the first camp I worked. It has the true feel of camping, being out in the open meadow and away from most of The Resort, so you definitely feel like you’ve stolen away.

7. If you could tell guests one thing before they visit Paws Up, what would it be?

Charles: Do not hesitate to ask us anything, no matter how crazy your request is. We want to know what you like, but we are also really good at anticipating your needs.

Eddie: Be prepared to get dirty! Whether you are on ATVs, horseback riding or sitting around the campfire, it’s the great outdoors, so—naturally—it can be dusty and dirty. A good pair of old jeans is sufficient here, as we don’t want to ruin your good pair.

8. What’s the one thing you see guests most often forget to pack?

Charles: Sunscreen.

Eddie: A cowboy hat. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. We have a huge selection of hats in the Wilderness Outpost, and you will be feeling country in no time!

9. If you could have one famous camper come stay at the ranch, who would it be?

Charles: Bear Grylls—I’d love to have him run a wilderness workshop.

Eddie: Louis L’Amour. I grew up reading my dad’s old books while we were camping, and he was by far my favorite storyteller. I would love to sit around the crackling fire as he told stories of the Old West, gun-slinging cowboys, outlaws and bandits that would keep me intrigued for hours.

10. How did you become a camping butler?

Charles: I am too old for that now, but if I—just like Cher—could turn back time, this would have been my favorite summer job. Most of our butlers are referrals from other employees.

Eddie: I started working at the Resort as a summer job during college, and it has easily become one of my favorite jobs I have ever held. Being outdoors and helping guests enjoy themselves while glamping is a fun and challenging job, but it is highly rewarding when you see the smiles and continually have guests who don’t want to leave at the end of their stays!

June 21, 2016

3 Most Requested Activities at Paws Up

Take a wild guess at the three most requested activities at The Resort at Paws Up. If you picked fly-fishing, horseback riding, and ATV trail rides, then you are correct—and you should reward yourself with one of the above! These three activities in particular are extremely popular due to the multiple offerings, times, and uniqueness that come from the setting of the resort. Activities Director Mark Houseman says, “Their popularity stems from the fact that these three activities offer a great representation of the Montana way of life. From the world-class fishing to the wide-open exploration of our state, they allow our guests a way to escape busy city life and marvel at the beauty of the Montana landscape. Personally, my favorite is the three-hour ATV tour, as you get to drive deep into the back part of the property, enjoy the thrill of two hill climbs, snap a photo at the best picture spot at Lookout Rock and experience the ever-changing landscape that you experience along the route.”

For our ATV trail rides, guests can choose from a one and a half-, three-, or five-hour excursion. For the first two options, guests explore the woods, tackle hill climbs, take in the picturesque scenery from Lookout Rock and view the beautiful Blackfoot river. On the five-hour ride, guests will explore the woods, and then take the ATVs off-property to Elevation Peak (about 7,000 feet). Once they have completed this climb on the ATVs, guests will hop off for a hike to the top. From there, views are breathtaking, and guests will experience the grandeur that earned Montana its Big Sky State nickname. Post-hike, adventurers head to Garnet, an abandoned-but-intact ghost town where guests will travel back to the 1800s as they check out the saloon, hotel, general store and so much more. Lunch is provided before driving back to the resort.

Horses are iconic to Montana, and riding is probably the first activity that crosses the mind when thinking of Montana. The Resort at Paw Up houses 40 horses on-property for all of our equestrian activities. Whether you are have never been in a saddle before or are a riding expert, Paws Up has something for every ability with one-, two- or three-hour trail rides, cattle drives, lessons and more. The Resort’s wrangler will pair guests with a four-legged friend that will be the perfect match for exploring more than 100 miles of wilderness trails. You will pass towering ponderosa pines, whose size and beauty are surpassed only by the views of the distant mountain ranges of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

This year, there are several additions to the equestrian program, including a new evening ride that takes you past our quaint line shack (where you will enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer) to the top of Scout’s Point to take in a signature Montana sunset. Or enjoy a lunch ride to a gorgeous spot in the shade where guests indulge in a Paws Up-style picnic. Kids can participate in lessons at the Saddle Club arena, complete with games, obstacle courses and more, and adult beginners can join instructional group trail rides. For advanced riders, the all-new, three-hour trail ride allows equine enthusiasts to cover terrain that no Paws Up guests have ever traversed. For an authentic taste of Western ranch life, participate in a cattle drive where novice and advanced riders alike saddle up with seasoned ranch hands and drive a herd of cattle across the majestic rolling pastures of the Resort property.

Montana is known for fly-fishing, and Paws Up hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous rivers in which to fly-fish, thanks to the movie “A River Runs Through It.” This gorgeous river flows right through our property, where all of our guided excursions are strictly for fly-fishing. Our guides have fished the surrounding rivers for years and will help you find the best trout fishing holes. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with these rods, but only for independent fishing.

Also near the resort is the Missouri River—one of the best hot spots for fly-fishing and a treasure trove for trout. This massive river travels approximately 700 miles along the entire state of Montana.

Other options include Bitterroot River—a dry-fly paradise that is famous for 95 percent dry flies and great hatches, which start in mid-March and extend well into October—and the Clark Fork River, the largest river by volume in the state and also one of the longest. The Clark Fork is approximately 310 miles long and is close to the resort. The best fishing on the Clark Fork is found between its origin and the confluence with the Flathead River near Paradise.

June 13, 2016

5 Best Father’s Day Finds from Paws Up

We’ll be celebrating Father’s Day this weekend at the ranch with our BBQ-U event, Chuckwagon Dinner and endless outdoor adventure activities. If you’re still in search of that just-right Father’s Day gift, our all-new Wilderness Outpost offers five unique finds to fill the bill. Wilderness Outpost (formerly called the Paws Up General Store) is not like any other resort gift shop. This ultimate 11,000-square-foot rural boutique is home to the most one-of-a-kind shopping experience you will ever experience. Wilderness Outpost is all about sourcing items with a story. Every Friday, you will get a chance to meet and chat with one of the artists in residence as they proudly display their works. This Friday, June 18th, don’t miss Behring Made Knives, C. Martini and Diane Whitehead Trunk Show. Below are some top Father’s Day picks you can round up at Wilderness Outpost.

1. Will Leather Goods Boots: The Wilderness Outpost at The Resort at Paws Up is honored to be the first retail venue to carry Will Leather Goods line of footwear. Beautifully designed, these are as comfortable as they are stylish. $275

2. William Adler for Will Leather Goods Hats: Handmade in the USA, each hat is unique. These designs celebrate the timeless approach to the art of hat making, and the company takes great pride in working with artisans who share the same passion for the artistic and hands-on approach honored at Will Leather Goods. $250 -$600

4. Filson Heritage Sportsman Bag: This weather-resistant multi-use bag has interior dividers and U-zipper closure for full bag access. It also features five pockets for storing a variety of dad’s gear. With industrial-strength fabric and USA-tanned Bridle Leather, it’s meant to last through decades of use. $360

4. Hydroflask for Paws Up 64-ounce Growler: Designed perfectly for dad, an insulated stainless steel beer growler allows you to transport your favorite brew (or any beverage) and keep it as cold and refreshing as when it was first poured. $65

5. Behring Made Steak Knife Set: This stainless steel knife set is a gorgeous complement to any dining experience. Made by Missoula local James Behring, whose team strives to make the best knives on the market. Includes custom Paws Up log inset on blade. $2500 for a set of six and a case

June 9, 2016June 9, 2016

Where You Can Learn to Paint with Water and Wine

We love summer workshops, and last month our brand new Wilderness Workshop, Brushes with Greatness, offered participants a chance to paint alongside a true American master in a breathtaking Montana landscape. Artist George Van Hook is renowned for his impressionistic paintings. His five-day “plein air” watercolor workshop was hosted in a variety of inspiring outdoor settings throughout The Resort. Van Hook has exhibited his award-winning works on three continents and has been teaching art and presenting workshops for more than 30 years. Beginning painting at an early age, Van Hook also spent his formative years traveling overseas to study art and copy other artists’ master works at Europe’s legendary museums, including the Louvre.

Mark your calendars for Bottle & Bottega with Stephanie King-Myers and Nick Myers from June 21—26, 2016. One day in March 2009, Bottle & Bottega founder Stephanie King-Myers and her artist husband, Nick Myers successfully convinced a friend with no artistic skills that she could in fact paint, with the right inspiration. So with a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, the friend successfully created her first masterpiece, and the Bottle & Bottega concept was born! In their workshops, King-Myers and Myers offer a variety of art and media experiences, including canvas painting, mosaics, glass painting, live models and more. Now with three young children of their own, they love introducing families to painting so that together they can create lasting memories! Whether you’re the family Rembrandt or struggle drawing stick figures, Bottle & Bottega will bring out your inner artist. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll produce a painting to be proud of. Also, there’s plenty of wine to help get your creative juices flowing. Enjoy painting at inspiring locations on the ranch, some sunset sessions and some alfresco evening sessions at individual luxury camps. There will also be some vino-free sessions at the Kids Corps of Discovery, so family members of all ages will have a chance to express themselves.

June 6, 2016June 30, 2023

3 Super Cool Things to do This Summer in Montana

At The Resort at Paws Up, you can experience so much more than a typical Montana dude-ranch vacation. Besides glamping® in luxury, safari-style tents, you can partake in a multitude of outdoor adventures, once in a lifetime experiences and unique activities, which are more than plentiful at The Resort. Check out these three super cool activities ideal for a summer Montana vacation—there are exciting discoveries at every single turn.

1. Garnet Ghost Town

Have you ever visited a real ghost town? Garnet is an historic, 120-year-old mining ghost town located in west central Montana; it sits at an elevation of about 6,000 feet at the head of First Chance Creek. The Resort at Paws Up offers two different ways to visit Garnet from the ranch:

Five-Hour Garnet Ghost Town Tour and ATV:

A ghost town via ATV? Yes! For those looking for a gorgeous, scenic route and adventure, this five-hour trip is a rush. You will leave the property and head to Elevation Peak for lunch. Then, take a tour of the ghost town with your guide before continuing this exciting journey.

Downhill Mountain Bike and Garnet Ghost Town Tour:

Looking for a challenge by bike? Approximately four hours, this tour takes guests, by van, to Garnet Ghost Town, where you will have the opportunity to explore this historic site before hopping on mountain bikes to make a 12-mile downhill trek. Get your workout in and explore an historic ghost town all at once.

2. Chuck Wagon Dinner

Looking for the most fun and unique dining experience in Montana? Step aboard Paws Up’s version of an old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon for an evening ride to the Blackfoot River. Sit back, relax and take in Montana’s fresh air and beautiful Big Sky—there’s lots of both!—the backdrop of The Resort at Paws Up.

The Chuck Wagon Dinner begins at the banks of the Blackfoot River, where you will enjoy an authentic dinner prepared before your eyes. From all-natural chicken, Angus prime rib, fresh corn and asparagus grilled over a campfire to summer classic dishes such as baked beans and fresh fruit cobbler cooked over the coals in a Dutch oven, we promise you won’t walk away hungry.

Further enjoy this cowboy-style experience by pitching horseshoes with the kids, listening to a local banjo player or contemplating a few words from a cowboy poet. This is one family dining experience that you will remember for years to come.

3. 3D Archery

At Paws Up, 3D Archery will change your archery experience forever. We call it 3D archery because the targets are actually three-dimensional. There are buffalo, deer, mountain goats and even bears that all are very lifelike. It’s so enjoyable you’ll want to do it more than once. Guests learn the most important techniques of archery shooting, as well as gain an introduction to the sport of big game archery hunting through a walkabout course in the woods with realistic foam animal targets. Learn the fundamentals and see improvement in your skill level on the target range. The best part comes next: Progress to the 10-station, one-mile walk-through course, which features a variety of shots with different scenarios and difficulties. (Guests are provided with compound bows and a quiver full of arrows.)

June 3, 2016

National Trail Day: The Best Trails at Paws Up

“Going to the woods is going home.”—John Muir

June 4, 2016, is the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, the country’s largest celebration of trails. The Resort at Paws Up offers more than 30 miles of marked trails for hiking on your own or with a naturalist guide. Choose from a variety of excursions through our 37,000 acres that will allow you to seek quiet, peace, solitude and inspiration. Our guides can offer information about native plants, wildlife and the history of the Blackfoot Valley.

“The top two favorite trails on our property would be the Sunset Trail and Jones Pond Trail through Lubrecht Experimental Forest,” says Justyne Palermo, Resort Reservations Manager at The Resort at Paws Up. “The Sunset Trail follows the Blackfoot River, and then you hike up to Lookout Rock, which provides grand views of the Blackfoot River and Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The Jones Pond Trail is the perfect hike for wildlife viewing with many visible tracks of elk, deer and bears near the pond. The hike through Lubrecht Experimental Forest is also interesting as it’s a track of land owned by the university, which provides a location for forestry research, resource management and ecosystem science,” says Palermo.

All trails are accessible to all ranch guests and free-of-charge to visit, so don’t miss a chance to explore our rolling hills and expansive meadows.

Six Paws Up Trails Not to Miss

For a quick, easy hike, choose Sacagawea Trail, an easy one-mile hike that is nearest to the Paws Up Village. Another option is the Grizzlyman Fitness Trail—a one-mile course near Spa Town that includes 12 fitness stations. Each station features equipment made from surrounding timber as well as unique challenges, including climbing, balancing, swinging and more. It’s a great way to relish in nature and burn calories at the same time.

Ponderosa Trail is The Resort’s 2.5-mile hike with a slight elevation through Lowland Forest (considered a moderate hike).

Anaconda Trail is four miles long with elevation changes, forest areas and a historic mining area.

Sunset Trail is filled with beauty for three miles as it follows Elk Creek and spans from the Camp to Village.

Jones Pond Trail is 2.5 miles uphill into Lubrecht, and it is considered a moderate to difficult path, more suitable for the avid hiker.