Summer Dude Ranch
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| Our summer dude ranch is a great family vacation spot! |
Broken Arrow Lodge is One of
Montana's Great Family Vacation Spots!
We know you're coming to our summer dude ranch for the horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains but that's no reason not to mention the fly fishing, float trips, scenic rides, hiking, wildlife viewing, basketball, late night campfires, horseshoes, and more! There are also many other great family vacation spots near our summer dude ranch such as the historical mining town of Virginia City, Robbers Roost, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Bannack State Park, and of course, Yellowstone National Park.
Our summer dude ranch's location in southwest Montana makes it one of the best great family vacations spots in the country. We offer some of the finest horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains in moderate, yet mountainous terrain spanning 20 square miles that is half forested and half open country. We ride in two parallel mountain ranges with incredible views and an abundance of wildlife.
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| Young and old enjoy our vacation dude ranch and horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains. |
Vacation Dude Ranch
Horseback Riding in the Rocky Mountains
Our vacation dude ranch offers custom trail rides for horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains. You may choose hourly or daily rides, or Montana pack trips including overnight camping. All trail rides are fully guided and designed to accommodate all levels of riders. We can ride directly from our Montana mountain lodge or trailer a short distance for a wider variety of areas to ride. At our vacation dude ranch, we have 18 horses and 8 mules available for riding in western saddles. You'll most likely ride a quarter horse, but we also have a couple Morgans and one big Draft Cross.
To make your summer dude ranch family vacation more enjoyable, we take the time to fit you to your horse, your tack, the area conditions, and the length of time you'll be in the saddle. We provide horseback riding instructions if you're new to riding or need a little assistance. We make sure you are acquainted and comfortable with your horse before taking you horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains for the vacation of your life.
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| Dude ranch family vacations include horseback riding and much more. |
Dude Ranch Family Vacations
Our dude ranch vacations offer more than just horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains. We also include unguided fishing, hiking, and scenic auto tours in all our dude ranch vacation packages. You may fish our private pond or enjoy private access to the Ruby River. We require a minimum of two adults for hiking or scenic auto tours and reservations are recommended. Pack trips are also available with advance reservation and additional fee.
3-Day Dude Ranch Vacation
Spend 2 fun-filled days with us horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains. This vacation package also includes 3 nights at our Montana mountain lodge and 3 home-cooked meals a day. This package is available twice a week:
- Arrive Sunday at noon; Depart Wednesday at noon
- Arrive Wednesday at noon; Depart Saturday at noon
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| Our summer dude ranch abounds with wildlife. |
6-Day Dude Ranch Vacation
Spend 5 fun-filled days with us horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains. This vacation package also includes 6 nights at our Montana mountain lodge and 3 home-cooked meals a day. You arrive Sunday at noon and depart Saturday at noon.
Combination Family Vacation —
Dude Ranch Plus One Day Camping!
Let us know your interests and desired activities and we'll help you plan a custom vacation you'll never forget! If you're more laid back, you can just take it one day at a time. You can refer to our most popular itinerary for ideas — heck, it's so much fun you may just decide to go with it.
Sunday
Orientation and Horseback Ride
You arrive Sunday afternoon around 2:00 PM. This is a great time to get acquainted with the other guests, your hosts Erwin and Sherry Clark, and all the rest of us at our summer dude ranch. We will fit you to a horse and saddle assigned just for you during entire week of your dude ranch family vacation.
Then we can take you on the loop horseback ride from our Montana mountain lodge. After a delicious country-style BBQ chicken dinner, we'll enjoy the stars and stories around the campfire.
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| What's cookin'? A pack horse keeps the ranch cook under close supervision! |
Monday
Fly Fishing and Horseback Ride
After a hearty breakfast, we'll give beginners some fly fishing lessons on our private pond which is stocked with rainbows averaging 16 inches. More experienced anglers will prefer great trout fishing on the Ruby River that runs through our property.
After lunch, we'll take you on a horseback ride to the natural Warm Springs just a couple miles from the lodge. Take your socks off — your feet never felt so good soaking in these medicinal waters!
Tuesday
Water Recreation and Auto Tour
This is the day to enjoy the water. You can go floating on the river on tubes or pontoon boats, or spend a day at the lake with a cookout dinner. In the evening, we can take you on an auto tour up one of the many side roads — we're bound to spot some wild game wandering out onto the mountain meadows to feed.
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| Virginia City gives you a taste of the Old West! |
Wednesday
Virginia City Historical Tour
Off to Virginia City for a history tour of the old gold mining days. We'll be entertained by the Virginia City Players at the theater before heading back home.
Thursday
Horseback Ride and Wildlife Viewing
An all day horseback adventure with sack lunches for sustenance. We'll set out early to catch a glimpse of elk, deer, and moose still at their watering areas. We don't want to miss them before they bed down in the cool timbered areas during the day.
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| Horseback riding through wildflowers in the area. |
Friday
Horseback Ride and Hiking
This is the day to exercise your own legs as well as your horse. Choose between the Black Butte Expedition or the Slide Rock Adventure. If you prefer not to hike, you can enjoy the beauty of the Top of the World horseback ride instead.
Saturday
Breakfast and Departure
Oh darn! Your dude ranch family vacation is over after breakfast. Please come again next year!
Other Great Activities
Along with this tentative itinerary, we also offer
Ranch Chores
This is the ticket for those who want the real ranch experience. You can do it all — from pitching hay, cleaning corrals, filling water tubs, to wrangling up the herd to go into the corrals. In the evenings, you can participate in wrangling the horses to their designated pasture for the night. This is quite an exciting scene when the horses kick up their heels as they run briskly to the luxury of the green pasture. We also offer saddling instruction and horse care class every morning before we ride.
Cowboy Adventure
If you want the whole cowboy experience out on the range, we offer the range ride checking and/or moving cattle to different pasture. Watch the cowboys rope and wrestle a cow so they can provide care if its sick or injured. You may even be able to assist in some instances. Try your hand at roping while the staff is eating lunch. We have a children's rope for the youngsters so they can try their hand at roping too.
Gold Panning
With the price of gold rising in the last few years, gold panning has sparked a new interest among our guests. You are welcome to sift through the sand, rocks, dirt, and water from the river. It can be very exciting to find specs of gold dust!
Digging for Garnets
This is another treasure hunt enjoyed by many of our guests. Garnets can be found at both the river and the reservoir.
Geo Caching
This is the ever-popular computer treasure hunt, if you've never heard of it. If that's your thing, bring items to trade as we have some treasure hunts right here in our valley.
Photography
In a rich rainbow of color, blankets of wildflowers cover the mountain meadows and timber floors. Sparkling rivers and lakes, majestic snowy mountain peaks, abundant wildlife... you are bringing your camera aren't you?
- 3-Day Vacation Dude Ranch Package (2 days riding)
- 6-Day Vacation Dude Ranch Package (5 days riding)
- Combination Family Vacation (Do it all!)
Dude Ranch Rates and Itineraries
Erwin & Sherry Clark
Broken Arrow Lodge & Outfitters
Erwin Clark, Outfitter #5715
1-800-775-2928 or 406-842-5437
P.O. Box 177, Alder MT 59710
Contact Broken Arrow Lodge
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Erwin & Sherry Clark
Broken Arrow Lodge
and Outfitters
P.O. Box 177
Alder, MT 59710
Erwin Clark, Outfitter #5715
(800) 775-2928 toll-free
(406) 842-5437 local
Contact Erwin or Sherry
