Bar W Guest Ranch

Bar W Guest Ranch

The Bar W Guest Ranch is a year-round dude ranch near Glacier National Park, ready to treat you to true Montana hospitality from the moment you arrive until long after the sun sets. Nestled between two pine-covered ridges in an idyllic setting at the base of Spencer Mountain, the Bar W Guest Ranch is located just a stone’s throw from the town of Whitefish, Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort.

Unique Features: Experience an authentic Cattle Drive! Learn to be a real cowboy and push cattle over miles of rolling hills and creeks with spectacular views. You will sleep in a canvas tent and share in delicious meals, campfire chatter and singing. You may even see a herd of wild horses run past. Participants, as well, can tend to the calves by roping and branding them. Please note: cattle drives are only offered at specific times of the year.

Accommodations: Guests have the option to stay in the traditional western style lodge, the intimate and rustic cabin suites, or the one-of-a-kind canvas glamping tents. All options are carefully appointed to compliment the western hospitality that makes every guest feel at home. The main lodge is 6,200 square feet of classic elegance and traditional western informality. With 6 bedrooms, three common spaces, and a game parlor, the lodge is sure to please.

As Suite As It Gets: When money is no object, go for the Glamping Tents. Glamorous camping provides guests with an unparalleled cowboy vacation. Guests will experience the best of both worlds, being one with nature while staying in an elegant setting and having all the comforts of home. Located next to the pasture full of wildflowers, from your front porch, guests can watch deer or horses grazing in the meadow.

Dining: The aroma of fresh coffee will greet you each morning as you arrive at the dining room. A wonderful homemade breakfast begins with crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, cinnamon or raspberry coffee cake, and fresh fruit. The breakfast room is complete with a cereal bar, including signature homemade granola. Main meals are accompanied by an array of side dishes ranging from savory mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, homemade jalapeño cornbread, and a fresh garden salad.

Activities: Horseback riding is at the heart the Bar W. Rides leave daily and your wrangler will set you up with the perfect horse for your riding ability. Other ranch and area activities include skeet shooting, archery, fly-fishing, roping, cattle drives, rodeo games, wagon rides, square dancing, cookouts and campfires. In the winter, you can enjoy sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, ice fishing, back country skiing, dog sledding and more.

Spa & Fitness: There is no on-site spa or fitness center, but they may be able to arrange an in-room massage. With all of the amazing outdoor activities and fresh air though, you won’t need them!

Location: The Bar W is nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, between two pine-covered ridges. Glacier National Park is 23 miles from the ranch, and the drive there is almost as pretty as the park itself. Whitefish is home to a ski resort on Big Mountain called Whitefish Mountain Resort. The Great Northern Railway was built through what is now Whitefish in 1904, which sparked development of the town.

Closest Airport: Glacier international Airport is about a 15 mile drive from the Ranch. Ranch staff is available to pick you up at the airport for a small fee. They are also happy to stop at a grocery store on the way back to the Ranch to pick up any items you may need during your stay.

Children’s Programs: At the Bar W, they have an impressive children’s program for Cowpokes ages 4-6 years along with Junior Wranglers 7 years and older. Throughout the week children can immerse themselves in the rich history of cowboy culture that they’ve read about in books or watched on TV. The kid’s program is designed to allow parents the freedom to experience all we have to offer while being confident that their child is receiving the best care and making lifelong memories.

Pet Friendly: No, unfortunately pets are not allowed.

Weddings: The Bar W grounds have many ideal locations for a picturesque wedding or reception, including a large lawn, green pastures, a private pond surrounded by lush lawn, and the elegant main lodge. There is a perfect setting for any size occasion. The Bar W facility fee includes day ranch rental, one night lodging on the night of the event for up to 24 guests including breakfast Sunday morning.

Meetings: With many different meeting spaces and dozens of area and ranch activities, the Bar W provides an inspiring and rewarding environment for your team. Mix in team building exercises like skeet shooting and archery, or try your hand at barrel racing to build enthusiasm in your team members. The Bar W Ranch has wireless internet, printing, faxing, and cell service.

Extra Info: With the ranch’s proximity to public lands, guests are able to ride horses on close to a million acres. If you find yourself on a cattle drive in the wide-open prairie of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time. There may be no other place quite like it!

www.thebarw.com