At
a Dude Ranch, horses, cowboys, and hospitality are a way of life. As a guest at Averill's Ranch in Bigfork, Montana, you are encouraged to learn all aspects of the guest ranch. Horseback riding instruction, horse competitions, team roping, team penning and even a family style rodeo are just some of the fun events offered in the rodeo area. Riders will enjoy morning, evening, and half day rides through mountain country and rolling timberland with spectacular vistas.
Horseback riding can be a pleasant experience for all ages, and an excellent opportunity to explore the nearby Montana mountains and the ranch's private game preserve featuring elk and buffalo.
For those who aren't as comfortable in the saddle as they'd like to be, we offer riding instructions in the arena. This is a great way to get the feel of a horse. On horse is the best way and sometimes the only way to enjoy all 2,000 acres the dude ranch has to offer.
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Adult
Horseback Rides
A dude ranch vacation brings to life the horses, cattle, cowboys and thrills of the wild west. Adult horseback riding takes place daily.
Enjoy numerous rides available throughout the day, from a breakfast ride to a half-day lunch ride, or anything in between.
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Children's
Horseback Rides
The children's riding for the week kicks off Sunday afternoon immediately following a horseback riding orientation. Our wranglers, who have a way with both children and horses, will take the kids on a wide array of horseback adventures throughout the week.
Adults are welcome to join the kids on any of their rides, but the children may not join the adult rides. Children must be at least 6 years of age in order to participate in the riding program.
Junior
Wranglers
Kids can enjoy our Junior Wranglers program while at the ranch.
Children learn about saddling, horse care, grooming and barn duties throughout the week. They are encouraged to tag along with the cowboys and cowgirls and learn the "ins" and "outs" of caring for a large herd of horses.
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Specialty Horseback Rides
Breakfast
ride leaves at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs and pancakes
in the brisk morning air. This is a fun activity for the entire
family and a great way to start the day.
The lunch ride is
a 4-hour adventure and a great opportunity to get out and
see some of the more remote locations of the dude ranch and explore
Montana's wildlife. |
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Steak
fry Ride
Horseback riding to our dinner barbeque is fun and memorable for all. There's nothing like a good old fashioned steak fry from the chuck wagon combined with some old fashioned western entertainment. Guests not traveling by horseback will enjoy a ride on one of our authentic fire engines. |
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Rodeo Arena Activities
Team roping is a favorite sport for local cowboys who practice roping with the ranch staff each week. There is also Barrel Racing for teens and Team Penning. The culmination of the riding activities is the Family Rodeo on Saturday morning. Test your newly acquired horsemanship skills in a fun and festive atmosphere. Kids will enjoy a special treat after the Family Rodeo. There is nothing like a family vacation at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana. See you there! |
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