Thinking of booking a trip to Montana/Wyoming or similar in the Spring with some buddies. Looking to escape and enjoy the great outdoors and get some needed R&R. Not interested in a place with a bunch of kids running around as that’s what we are all trying to escape from!
Looking to spend $500 a night or less per person. Not too much criteria otherwise accept that the food must be good. We will be bringing our own booze most likely.
Anyone have suggestions?
I think you would be hard pressed to find many places that cost half what you are looking for pp. But maybe in touristy/ski areas, even in the off season, you might get lucky. At Big Mountain, maybe Kandahar. In Glacier, some of the big lodges may push it during the summer, but most of the roads and some of the lodges won’t even be open in the spring.
Geez, I think we rented a huge log home near W. Glacier for a week for like $5,500 per week about 10 years ago. Slept 20. For $500 pp per night, you could probably rent the whole of Glacier.
It might help to specify what type of activities you are interested in. Those are two big ass states.
Adding to what Chuck said, spring is a movable season in Montana and Wyoming. One year the wild flowers may be blooming, and another the ground covered with feet of snow. Forget thinking of the equinox as the start of spring there. May is a safer bet, but not a sure thing.
P Hickner
I have no basis for price, just know what we don’t want to exceed. As far as activities, maybe horseback riding, but to be honest, I think we are just looking for peace and quiet, good scenery, and a nice porch to drink a glass of wine or bourbon on. We aren’t looking for much else.
May works as well. We have no plan as of now, that’s why I need advice!
Checkout the Wind River area. This is an example, not necessarily a recommendation.
http://www.jacksonfork.com/pages.jf/windriver.php
P Hickner
You may have found my vacation spot. Place looks awesome!
How about Banff?
Lots of restaurants and wine sources but also great opportunity for relaxation in the outdoors.
We stayed at Hidden Ridge resort - basically condos with supplied wood for fireplace, huge outdoor hot tub.
Scenery is insane.
Might still have snow in May but melting.
Having lived in MT for 6 years I will agree with others that Spring can be a very frustrating time to visit. It was always the worst time of year for me. I lived in Missoula so that might not be your first choice. I would recommend going on VRBO to Paradise Valley, MT. Between Gardiner and Livingston along the Yellowstone River. Amazing place to hike, visit the Park or fly fish the Spring Creeks. Chico Hot Springs is located there that is a great place to eat and relax. With a budget of $500 per, you should be able to get a very nice house for the week.
Enjoy
I stayed at Flagg Ranch between Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. Such a slice of heaven those parks are. Jenny lake resort is very awesome too, but pricey.
Montana is a special place.
Big Sky, Bozeman, Missoula, Whitefish . . . so many great spots.
As mentioned, “spring” in Wyoming sometimes forgets to visit. I’ve been on Jackson Lake, Grand Teton NP (far northwest corner of state, just below Gellystone NP) in June in at least two different years when it snowed. And if not snow, I’ve seen plenty of really cold rain. That said, there are any number of lodges or ranches off the beaten path in Wyoming, that are not touristy at all. You probably are looking for some “mountain” views or experience. However, if you are considering a guest ranch alternative not quite in the mountains, let me throw out a couple of destinations with which I have some familiarity.
The first is the TA Guest Ranch, an historic ranch 13 miles south of Buffalo, WY, sitting just south and east of the Big Horn Mountains on the North Fork of Crazy Woman Creek. It’s history is that it is where the cattlemen’s hired guns were holed up/stopped during their range “war” they waged against the Johnson County folks. The U.S. Calvary had to be ordered in to rescue them. I’ve stayed here, some years ago, and it certainly fits the bill for a nice relaxing stay, away from it all.
Another place, yet one I’ve not yet stayed at, is the Willow Creek Ranch at the Hole in the Wall. This working ranch sits about 60 miles north of Casper, WY, south and west of the Big Horn Mountains. Its owners are both young lawyers (the husband Barry works part-time with the Johnson County Attorney’s Office and the wife Kristen is retired) and both are just wonderful folks. In spring, expect a green basin and the contrasting red rock walls shown in a number of the pictures. Again, this place certainly fits the bill for a nice relaxing stay, away from it all.
Again, these might not be the types of places you had in mind, if you are looking for that “mountain” experience. So, I offer them up for whatever they might be worth! Wherever you guys end up, I hope you have some decent weather and can enjoy both the big sky and all the “elbow room” both Montana and Wyoming can provide. ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
+1. This is especially nice if you fish. 3 world class spring creeks and the mighty Yellowstone to float. The caddis hatch in May is sick! Livingston is a cool town with a few good restaurants. If you haven’t toured Yellowstone, it’s a must. You could work your way to West Yellowstone from Gardner.