Family Gatherings at The Ranch
In Montana, most ranches are family-run, relying on several generations for day-to-day operations. The idea of group cooperation and going the extra mile still inspires what we do at The Ranch at Rock Creek. It is a place where families have powerful bonding experiences on 10 square miles of pristine ranch land. In 2018, we earned the Virtuoso Travel Award for Best Family Program.
Family reunion vacations usually require extensive event planning. Our event coordinators use the existing all-inclusive nature of our Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort and enhance it with experiences, like welcome gatherings, private meals and geocaching scavenger hunts.
Whether you’re looking for a space for three or 125, we can cater to your favorite family reunion ideas. Our robust year-round activities program works for large or small groups. You can tackle the ropes course together one morning, and then break off into smaller groups to do horseback riding, skiing or fly fishing in the afternoon.
Our Little Grizzlies Kids Club brings The Ranch to life for kids aged four to 12. With the help of our Little Grizzlies counselors, children discover a whole new world while immersing themselves in The Ranch and its natural environment. Being hands-on and device-free has never been more fun. The interactive atmosphere ensures personalized experiences while strengthening family bonds.
Many of our accommodations are also tailored to families, such as the five-bedroom Bear House and the Historic Barn, featuring Stables, a unique accommodation with three bunk beds in the original horse stalls of the barn. Full-size kitchens and laundry facilities make many of our homes as practical as they are beautiful. With a different dining experience every night and seasonal farm-to-table fare, dining can be as exciting as the rest of your day.
Sample Family Gathering Itinerary
Day One
Afternoon – Arrival at The Ranch
6:00pm – Welcome Dinner at the Blue Canteen*
8:00pm – Evening Revelry in the Silver Dollar Saloon: Table Tennis Tournament
Day Two
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Blue Canteen
10:00am – Group Geocaching Scavenger Hunt
12:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Swimming in our Outdoor Pool
6:00pm – Ranch Night Dinner in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
8:00pm – S’mores Roasting on the Bonfire
Day Three
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
10:00am – Ropes Course Challenges
12:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Group Activities: Biking Along Rock Creek or the Downhill Mountain Biking Course
7:00pm – Dutch Oven Dinner on the Flagstone
8:00pm – Bowling Tournament in the Silver Dollar Saloon
Day Four
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Blue Canteen
10:00am – Trail Ride to Sage Brush Flats (Adults)
Little Grizzlies Kids Club: Life at The Ranch/Pony Rides (Ages 4-12)
12:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Barnyard Olympics*
4:00pm – Snacks and Drinks in the Blue Canteen
7:00pm – Chef’s Tasting Menu in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
Little Grizzlies Dinner Club in the Silver Dollar Saloon
Day Five
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
10:00am – Fly Fishing on Rock Creek or 3-D Archery (Adults)
Little Grizzlies Kids Club: Aquatic Life and Fly Fishing
12:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Sapphire Mining* or Group Hike
5:00pm – Rodeo at The Ranch Arena
6:30pm – Blue Canteen Barbeque
Day Six
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Blue Canteen
10:00am – Group Activities: Arena Roping Lessons or Biking
12:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Pistols and Sporting Clays (Adults)
Little Grizzlies Kids Club: Outdoor Discovery
7:00pm – Dinner in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
8:00pm – Evening Revelry and Karaoke in the Silver Dollar Saloon
Day Seven
7:30-10:00am – Breakfast in the Granite Lodge Dining Room
9:30am – Small Group Activities: Horseback Riding, Rifles or Fly Fishing
12:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Little Grizzlies Kids Club: Arts & Crafts
2:30pm – Granite Spa Treatment*, Swimming or Small Group Activities
4:00pm – Wells Fargo Stagecoach Rides (Available Sundays June 1—Sept. 1.)
7:00pm – Farewell Hoe Down on the Rod & Gun Lawn or in the Buckle Barn with Pig Roast and Live Music*
Day Eight
7:30pm – Cowboy Breakfast at Piney Pond
All Day – Departure
* Additional cost activity. Set-up fees are required for private events. See below for details.
All guest itineraries are customizable to meet personal preferences, ability levels and needs.
Specialty Accommodations
Luxury Homes
From two-story houses to a cozy single-bed romantic cabin, our luxury homes are your private home on the range. Many of these large homes feature full-sized kitchens, laundry facilities and private porches. Favorite family accommodations include Eagle’s Perch—with its bunk bed suite, Moose House and Bear House.
Historic Barn
Our remodeled 19th-century barn houses an important piece of The Ranch at Rock Creek history. This original structure was lovingly restored to three unique accommodations that can be booked separately or in concert to house a large group. Stables is suited to children’s sleepovers with three sets of twin bunk beds, a queen pull-out and a full bathroom with two showers, while Loft and Wrangler are perfect suites for parents and grandparents.
Family Canvas Cabins
Try one of the newest styles of Montana adventure—glamping. Each 1,047 sq. ft. Family Canvas Cabin has two rooms separated by a curtain, a private bathroom, two gas stoves, a comfortable reading nook and a screened porch overlooking Rock Creek.
Suggested Group Activities
Little Grizzlies Kids Club
A tailored Ranch experience for kids ages four to 12. Children learn about the history, environment and wildlife in Montana, and they learn new hobbies with lessons customized for their strengths and interests. Adults can adventure at a faster pace or take a little time for themselves during these optional daily programs.
Barnyard Olympics
Mix traditional family reunion activities—like tug o’war—with Western roping, stick-horse races and bean bag tosses. This private event is specially designed for family gatherings.
Ropes Course
Our 19-feature ropes course challenges groups to work together to achieve a target. The lower elements are ideal for team building. The 13 elevated elements include three zip lines, rope bridges, 35-foot challenges and the leap-of-faith. Those who don’t wish to complete the course are invited to enjoy the spectacular view atop the platform or watch the excitement from terra firma. This exciting outdoor activity can be more than a few hours of fun; it can be the tie that binds families together.
Geocaching
Geocaching integrates treasure hunting with modern-day technology. Using GPS devices and coordinates, groups can locate boxes hidden on thousands of acres of ranch land. Considered “hiking with a purpose,” this activity is just as fun in a pair of snowshoes as a pair of hiking boots. Caches can be customized for private events; the clues lead guests toward secret messages or a grand prize.
Bowling Tournament
Nothing brings out healthy competition like a bowling tournament in the Silver Dollar Saloon. Enjoy a four-lane bowling alley with computerized scoring, complete with a selection of balls and bowling shoes in assorted sizes.
Silver Dollar Saloon
Evening entertainment in the Silver Dollar Saloon includes billiards, table tennis, shuffleboard, karaoke, private movie cinema, board games and four lanes of bowling. Bowling, shuffleboard and dart tournaments add a competitive flare to the night’s events. Step outside and roast s’mores over a bonfire or stargaze into the night.