Horseback riding is the most popular activity at the ranch…

…and for good reason – not only is it a quintessential form of Western recreation, but with over 17,000 acres of rugged and varied terrain to explore there’s always something new to see, including access to the Custer Gallatin National Forest. With our crew of good-natured and fun-loving wranglers, there is no shortage of excitement in store.

Safety is extremely important to us here at Mountain Sky, and for that reason we do limit trail rides to those aged seven and older. Lead line rides are available during kids programming sessions and present a great introduction to the joys of western riding. In addition, we offer daily arena instruction specifically catered towards our six-year-old guests. While we do not provide certified helmets, guests are welcome to provide their own.

Daily Rides

Trail rides are offered twice daily, lasting anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Riders are grouped by ability level, and are always accompanied by a wrangler. Whether you are saddling up for the first time, or have ridden for many years, you’ll find a style of riding to suit you at Mountain Sky.

Arena Instruction

Guests wishing to hone their skills off the trail can do so during an afternoon session in the confines of the arena.

Working With Cattle

Choose between team penning, which offers guests the opportunity to work on cattle sorting with some friendly group competition, or our working ranch experience, which gives guests the opportunity to help our land and livestock manager down at our working hay and cattle operation. Both are 1/2 day activities offered once during summer stays for guests 13 and older.

All Day Ride

Guests wishing for a full day in the saddle can opt for the “all-day ride” during the spring and fall seasons, or the “lunch ride” during the summer. Offered once a week, guests enjoy a morning spent riding to a destination where they will enjoy lunch on the trail. After a brief rest, the journey back to the ranch begins!

Yellowstone Ride

For an additional charge, guests 13 and older can ride their ranch horse in Yellowstone National Park. As an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service, we offer a limited number of opportunities during the early fall, and much depends on trail conditions in the Park. We load horses and riders up for an hour drive into the Park, and the trails feature wide open meadows in the backcountry. This is a very long day in the saddle, and is recommended only for those very comfortable on a horse. If you are interested in seeing wildlife and geothermal features, we highly recommend the Yellowstone van tour, which runs reliably every week. Please check availability with our reservations team in advance of your stay.