Where do I begin? I'll start by saying I am back home in NY yet I am homesick to go back to Covered Wagon Ranch - what an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. There is simply nothing like it around. I was a solo traveler (33F) from NY never having been to MT or out west - reading reviews online I liked that the ranch didn't seem to be like a "mill" and looked like more of an individualized experience & boy was everyone right. I was immediately put at ease before I even booked when I called the ranch and Melissa spoke with me right away answering all of my questions - she is extremely knowledgeable, responsive & informative. Upon booking she sent a bunch of information for packing/activities/etc. - there were absolutely no surprises and I felt very prepared for the trip & of what to expect - if you miss something it's because you didn't read it carefully & that's on you! My cabin immediately felt like home - it was cozy, clean, and beautifully decorated. There is so much charm to the ranch. Every meal was better than the next. Melissa, Kurt, & the wranglers are the real deal - they know the country better than the back of their hand & I was so impressed by them all. Having never experienced this kind of country I quickly went from being apprehensive to eager to go out every day and explore simply because of how at ease the wranglers made me feel. Kurt & Melissa have a real talent for reading horses & people and paired everyone PERFECTLY with their horses for the week as well as the group I rode with. I have never seen better cared for/happier horses in all my years of riding - I don't even want to say my horse's name here (& I won't) because I selfishly want her for the next time I go but she was really just such a great horse. There are not enough words or space in this review to say how much I loved this ranch and how much I appreciated the kindness and warmth Melissa, Kurt, their 2 boys, the guests, animals, and the entire staff of the CWR showed me. This place will forever hold a special place in my heart & I look forward to coming back as many times as I can!! read more

I'm not even sure how to put words to how amazing this ranch is. From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed and treated like family. Our cabin was immaculately clean, the food was delicious, the wranglers are professional and amazing. We stayed for 4 nights and felt like we were leaving family. If you have a bucket list, this place should be on it. read more

Dear Melissa & Kurt, I wanted to let you know that staying at your ranch has brought back a wealth of wonderful childhood memories that I'd pretty much forgotten about: my family used to run a B&B in a little spa town in Germany and in our "pension" we welcomed guests who'd come to recover from recent surgery or simply wanted to get a break from their day-to-day lives. And while I don't remember much about this time - I was about 3 years old when my family decided to stop running the business - I remember how the atmosphere at our B&B was very similar to what I experienced at the Covered Wagon Ranch: an atmosphere of feeling at home! Needless to say: we had the best time at the Covered Wagon Ranch! We loved the beautiful natural scenery when we were going on horseback rides up to the mountain tops. We also had such a good time hiking through the Gallatin Valley and enjoying the views of the various peaks. I also fondly remember firing up the stove in our cabin at night and cuddling up under the blankets when the outside temperatures approached the freezing point. And - not to forget - thrice daily we were looking forward to what epicurean delights your kitchen staff had prepared for us. But...what truly made our stay so remarkable and different from any other hotel/resort I'd ever stayed was you two, your staff and the guests that you have "curated" so carefully over the past years! Melissa & Kurt, I loved that you didn't treat us a some distant guests, but that you sat down with us during mealtimes. In fact, I really enjoyed hearing your stories of what is life like in Montana and I think you equally enjoyed listening to our stories from California. I also admire your aptitude at matching us perfectly with your horses: how did you know that I love to eat and thus Max and I would be perfect for each other? How did you know that Art is such a slow-walker and thus is a good match with Ringo? (Although, what made you decide to pair up Elke with Simon, the horse that farts like a champion???) Thank you also for having such wonderful staff: I am still treasuring the hiking map that Crayton hand-drew for us when we wanted to hike up to Koch Basin (even though we didn't quite make it all the way up). Plus, we had such a good time riding up Cinnamon Peak with Sam and needless to say we wouldn't feel nearly as welcome without the help of the sister-duo of of Sharon and Minda. And lastly, thank you for making your guests want to come back year after year. The dinner table discussions wouldn't have been as fun and memorable if it hadn't been for people like Mary, Elke, Diane, Dean, Andrew and so forth: do you remember how we were looking for dates for Mary on a Cowboy Dating App? Good times... Alright, enough praise for now... Melissa & Kurt, I sure hope though we can come back one of these days to pick up from where we left off. Thank you again both for letting us be part of your family. Uli read more

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Covered Wagon Ranch provided us with the best vacation we have ever had. The owners and staff welcome their guests as family. It is a relaxed environment in the most beautiful of settings. They take wonderful care of their horses and the rides are beyond fun and breathtaking. The good is very good, from great country breakfasts to down home tasty dinners including brick oven pizza, fried chicken, meat loaf and "surf and turf". Friday night party with live music, dancing, and pool at the rec hall was so much of a good time. Rustic personal cabin is so comfortable and nights spent on the quiet patio gazing at the beautiful big starry sky were priceless. I give 5 stars because I cannot give 6. Our highest recommendation. read more

Being at the Covered Wagon Ranch is like being is a large extended family. I had a great week and cannot wait to go back. Kurt and Melissa care about every aspect of their ranch. I love that the horses are only ridden by a guests every other week and everyone gets Sundays off. I am not an experienced rider, but I have been on various trail rides over the years and I have never been as comfortable on and as trusting of a horse as I was on Mr. Black, my horse for the week. I believe the demeanor of the horses have everything to do with the care and respect they are given by the people who own them. I would go back for the food alone! Every meal was a culinary delight. The cabins are everything a mountain ranch cabin should be. There is no cell service, no TV, a perfect place to unplug from the world. The scenery is spectacular. A great place to go outside and play. Gail H. read more

Great place! Friends and I stayed for five nights for some horseback riding - through CWR - rafting and hiking. Melissa and Kurt were very hospitable and the staff friendly. Food was excellent. Off the top of my head, the dinners were: steak, ribs, chicken, turkey, and pasta. Each dinner was proceeded with appetizers and followed by desserts. We got sandwiches to go three of the days and I highly recommend the "Chef's Special" across the board. Cabins were rustic and comfortable. The cabin I stayed in has two bedrooms with a bathroom in between. Seems a bit odd but it works for friends and families. There were friendly animals abound, including five dogs, a cat, and a pot-bellied (I think) pigs. That's not counting the horses and mules. read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. Best vacation I've ever had. Amazing hospitality, exceptional care for guest comfort, great meals, the rustic yet well-appointed cabins and lodge, and those magnificent views on the trail rides. Such caring and friendly staff and wranglers. Not to mention the ranch dogs, cats and pig, and wonderful horses. Like heaven! read more

I had occasion to "stop" here Monday this week. My car broke down on the highway right near and my phone had no service in this area. So I had to walk up to The Covered Wagon and ask to use the phone. Not a paying guest, not important to them at all. But they were very understanding, generous and helpful beyond all reason. I had to wait for hours for the tow truck. Talked to them and some of their guests. What a happy, easy going comfortable atmosphere. They even invited me to dinner!!! I would love to stay here sometime. Plus its a great place for kids and families. Tons of things to do. read more

This gem may appear rustic but it has all the comforts of home and then some! The cabins are well appointed and very comfortable. The food is great and plentiful. The staff is accommodating and friendly. I took my wife there for our 1st anniversary and we had an amazing time. We rode extremely well trained horses through some of the most beautiful country imaginable. The folks at Covered Wagon cater to all riders from first timers to experts. The proximity to Yellowstone Park added to the experience as we were able to spend half a day enjoying the park. We absolutely plan to return with the kids!! read more