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Family headed out for a trail ride
Big Group Photo
Horse Drawn Wagon
Young Girl on Horseback
Two Ladies on horseback at the lake
Wranglers Carrying Flags at Bar W
Cattle Drive at Bar W
3 riders looking out over water

Bar W Guest Ranch

Whitefish, Montana

Contact Bar W Guest Ranch

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Nearest Regional Airport

Glacier Park International Airport, 16 miles

Nearest International Airport

Glacier Park International Airport, 16 miles

Elevation

3200 Feet

Open

May - October

Guest Capacity

60

Tailored Riding and Activities

The Bar W is a small ranch that can host up to 60 guests per week. Being a smaller ranch gives us the ability to tailor our riding and activities each week to the interests and skill levels of our guests. Horseback riding is our main activity and with our proximity to public land, we are able to ride on close to a million acres. You’ll find a variety of terrain, from prairies and wide-open spaces to mountain trails. In addition to trail rides, you can test your horsemanship skills with barrel racing and working cows during team penning and sorting.

The Best of the West

There is so much to do at the ranch for guests of all ages, and we showcase the best of the West with the following activities. Fly fishing lessons are offered on our trout-filled pond, and there are pike and perch stocked in Spencer Lake. We have a rowboat, canoe, and fishing equipment available. Hatchet throwing, 3D archery, and roping are always guest favorites. After a wagon ride, enjoy dinner in our gazebo overlooking Spencer Lake. Or, kick up your heels and stomp your feet during a night of line dancing. You can also see some of the most unspoiled wilderness by foot with a guided hike.

Guest Rodeo

At the end of the week, we hold a guest rodeo where guests can show the horsemanship skills they’ve improved on during the week. Included are barrel racing, pole bending, and a keyhole race. Guests also are invited to attend the local Blue Moon rodeo where they can admire some of Montana’s best rough stock riders and ropers!

Kids Program

Our kids’ program is for ages 2-6 and 7- 12 (note, 7 and up can ride with the family). We offer top-notch activities such as daily chores, feeding goats, chickens, and ponies, collecting eggs from chickens, kid’s dinner & games, and so much more! All of which is supervised by our kids’ counselor.

Crown Jewel of the Continent

You can always sit back, relax and let Montana surround you and observe the beauty of Montana’s wildlife, such as whitetail and mule deer, moose, bear, eagles, coyotes, wolves, and mountain lions. We are located just 25 miles from Glacier National Park, which has very appropriately been called the “Crown Jewel of the Continent.”

Come as a Guest, Leave as Family

All of this and more is what you can expect from a ranch vacation at the Bar W Guest Ranch. People come here as guests and leave as family.

Horseback riding is central to a week at the Bar W, but we also offer plenty of activities out of the saddle. Help with the chores (if you like, of course), fish for big pike on Spencer Lake, hike the miles and miles of trails, mountain bike, swim in the lake, throw horseshoes, learn to fly fish or play volleyball, or a leisurely game of pool. You can even test your archery skills on our new 3D Archery range or try your hand at hatchet throwing. All this and more is what you can expect from a ranch vacation at the Bar W.

Archery at Bar W

Activities

  • Archery/Shooting Sports
  • ATV/UTV
  • Cattle Work
  • Childrens Programs (2-5)
  • Childrens Programs (6-8)
  • Childrens Programs (9-12)
  • Dancing
  • Fishing
  • Golf on Premises or Nearby
  • Hiking
  • Natural Water Swimming
  • Petting Zoo
  • River Rafting
  • Team Penning
  • Winter Snow Activities

Riding

  • Beginner Rides
  • Horsemanship Lessons
  • Advanced/Fast rides
  • Pony Rides
  • Trail Riding Ages 7+

Special Events

  • Adults Only Weeks
  • Multi-day Cattle Drives

Wait until you sit down to taste some of the best down-home cooking, this side of the Mississippi – Montana style! All our meals are served with love family style by our own cooks. To start your day, a wonderful breakfast might include bacon, eggs, homemade coffee cake, and fresh fruit. Lunches are served in the dining room if you are on the ranch, or out on the trail and packed in your saddlebag to make sure you’re able to maximize all the fantastic riding we have to offer. For dinner, you can look forward to steak, chicken, and BBQ cookouts — all mouth-watering delights that should not be missed! Nobody leaves hungry.

Family having an outdoor meal

Food Options

  • Ranch/Western

The main lodge is 6,200 square feet of classic elegance and traditional western informality. The lodge has 6 bedrooms, 3 common areas, and a game room. A cabin designed by the Amish offers 2 suites that overlook the pasture and the surrounding forest full of wildlife. Finally, Glamping (glamorous camping) has really come of age here at The Bar W. The ranch offers four luxurious canvas tents with custom log beds with electric blankets, heating and air conditioning, log futons, a kitchenette, a porch overlooking the pasture, and a private bathroom located a few steps away. Airport shuttle available at an additional cost.

Glamping tent interior at Bar W Ranch

  • Lodge Rooms
  • Airport Shuttle
  • Babysitting Services
  • Cabins
  • Game Room
  • Glamping
  • Horse Safety Program
  • Hot tub
  • Internet/WiFi

Details

Check-in/Check-out:

Check-in: 3:00 pm

Check-out: 11:00 am

Length of Stay:

6 nights (January - December)

Cancellation Policy

  • A deposit of 50% is required for all Ranch Packages.
  • Reservations canceled 90 days or more prior to arrival date: Deposit is refunded minus 10% of the package rate (not deposit) as a cancellation fee.
  • Reservations canceled within 45 to 89 days from the arrival date: No money is refunded. There is a 20% cancellation fee of the package rate (not the deposit), but the balance of the deposit can be applied to a future stay.
  • Reservations canceled within 45 days are entirely non-refundable.
  • No-shows will be charged the full amount.
  • Parties arriving with fewer guests than reserved for will be charged the full amount.

There is no adjustment to the final bill for early departure, unforeseen departure, or changes in the itinerary.

We do recommend buying travel insurance through Travel Guard for your trip.

Map

Bar W Guest Ranch

Whitefish, Montana

Nearest Regional Airport

Glacier Park International Airport, 16 miles