Daily Horseback Rides

The Cowboy Cookout at Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch serves the best home cooked western dinner in North Yellowstone. Dinner is served under a covered pavilion with plenty of shade and no weather worries if the occasional storm passes. Spectacular views of Yellowstone National Park, less than a mile away to the south and electric peak to the west provides the perfect setting for an amazing Montana sunset.

Savor Sue's delicious grilled steaks and homemade desserts. Vegetarians and children are given special attention, just give Sue a heads up. This summer meal is complete with fresh corn on the cob, salads and hot biscuits. This is an all-you-can-eat cookout, so there is no need to leave hungry. Soft drinks are served with dinner. You are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages of your choice ~ remember the road is steep and winding.

End the day watching the sunset around the campfire after a memorable day of horseback riding, sightseeing and a delicious Cowboy Cookout.

After dinner, join the cowboys around the campfire, tell stories, and watch the sun drop behind Electric Peak. The Cowboy Cookout is a relaxed and wonderful experience with family and friends. You can star gaze into the big night sky of Montana and watch the youngsters roast marshmallows before departing the ranch.

The evening Cowboy Cookout can be added to the end of any day's activity and everyone is welcome to come just for dinner.

Book your reservation early - the evening Cowboy Cookout is a popular dinner destination.

After checking in a the Flying Pig Camp Store in Gardiner, you will make the short 6-mile drive up Ash Mountain to Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch. From the 5,000 ft elevation of the rolling sage brush surrounding Gardiner, you will rise over 7,000 feet into the pristine Gallatin National Forest. The southern vistas overlook Yellowstone National Park, just 1/2 mile away.

The gravel road is well maintained by Park County, ensuring a safe and smooth ride to the ranch. Breathtaking views of the park, Electric mountain and the Absaroka wilderness unfold along the drive. You can see well into Yellowstone National Park and its geothermal wonders. Underlying the view are the Yellowstone calderas and super volcanos ~no worries, the last eruptions occurred over 600,000 years ago.

Deer, Elk and pronghorn are abundant, so keep an eye out for them. North Yellowstone is prime habitat for bison, rocky mountain sheep, coyote, bear and wolf.

Spring visitors may be treated to the sight of young fawns along side their mother or a newborn bison foraging in the meadow. The summer heat drives wildlife to the cooler temperatures of higher elevations. Ideal for spotting wildlife on summer horseback rides.

Winter comes fast and strong in Northern Yellowstone. Wildlife becomes active in fall, readying themselves for short days and cold nights. Bears are scouring the area for fall berries and food, herds of elk, deer and bison are migrating to lower park elevations for easier foraging. Every season has its advantages for a spectacular horseback ride.

Full-Day Horseback Ride Essentials:

• Dress appropriately for a day in the saddle
• Wear long pants to prevent chaffing on your legs
• Long sleeve shirts provide protection from the sun and brush along the trails
• Real Cowboys wear hats and sunglasses
• Shoes with a low heel are best to keep your feet in the stirrups ~ flip flops, sandals and open toe shoes can be dangerous
• The scenery is spectacular, remember your camera
• Cell phone reception is not available on the trail, leave cell phones and music players in the car

Local trail guides will be anxiously awaiting you and your party at Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch. The hosts and guides are not only experienced Montana Cowboys, they are familiar with every nuance of the surrounding forests and trails. Your horses will be waiting for you, tacked-up with top quality soft burnished leather western saddles and bridles.

Trail rides are generally limited to ten horses and riders per guide. Before saddling-up, riding instructions will be provided by the best Cowboys in the area. We want you to be comfortable and confident in the saddle, all questions are welcome.

For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend leaving mobile phones, iPods and Blackberries behind. There is no reception on the trail anyway. Even the kids will want to hear the horseback guide, and everyone will want to stay alert for wildlife sightings from the trail.

*Ride availability subject to change

Check-in at the Flying Pig Camp Store in Gardiner one-hour prior to your departure time. We will make sure you are set for your horseback ride and provide directions to Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch ~ where you will depart on your ride. Enjoy a scenic drive from Gardiner, along Bear Creek Road to meet your guide and horse.

The horses at Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch are topped off each spring, and matched to the level and skill of each rider. Enjoy your horseback ride with the confidence it is the best in northern Yellowstone. A variety of breeds fill the stables and pastures, from quarter horses, to a string of mixed draft horses. Everyone wants to ride a paint horse, however we will ensure you get the right trusty steed for your ride.

Ride spectacular trails overlooking Yellowstone's North boundary. Pristine forests and high altitude lakes await your discovery.

Your horse will be outfitted with quality leather saddles and tack, maintained by Jeremiah Johnson ~ the family saddle maker. When you arrive, the horses will be tacked-up and ready for your ride. Get set to saddle-up after last minute instructions and your horseback riding adventure will begin.

Tips for a 3.5-hour Horseback Ride

• Protect yourself from the sun, saddle and brush with long pants and long sleeved shirts
• Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are modern cowboy essentials
• Cell phone reception is only available at the ranch, leave the electronics safe in the car
• Flip flops, sandals and open toed shoes can be dangerous in stirrups - and hard on your pedicure
• Don't forget the camera!

Elk herds are commonly sighted along Decker Flats. Deer, antelope and bison are also frequently spotted during rides. The half day ride gives additional time to venture deeper into the back country for wildlife spotting. Occasionally moose are found along creek beds and big horn sheep are a special treat to see. Your Montana guide makes the area home, and will be sure to lead your trip to the areas wildlife are most commonly sighted.

Horseback riding groups are small, with no more than ten riders per guide. An ideal family activity, perfect to introduce first time riders to horses and time in the saddle. The trail horses are the best in North Yellowstone. Your horse will be selected to meet your level of riding experience, whether an experienced equestrian or a novice rider we will meet your needs.

The 2-hour trail ride takes you into high-country overlooking Yellowstone National Park. Bring your camera and get ready for breathtaking scenery and cowboy photo-ops with family and friends. Horseback riding is a magical activity as you create your own tall tales and stories to remember.

...get ready for breathtaking scenery and cowboy photo-ops with family and friends

Trail rides take you into prime elk and deer country, along with a variety of birds and wildlife. The 4pm ride is best for spotting wildlife as they move for evening watering and feeding. Pick the best time for your travel plans, the 2-hour rides fit nicely along with morning or afternoon park excursions.

2-Hour Trail Ride Essentials

• Dress appropriately for the day's weather and being outdoors
• Wear long pants to prevent saddle burns on your legs
• Long sleeve shirts provide protection from the sun and brush along the trails
• Real Cowboys wear hats and sunglasses
• Shoes with a low heel are best to keep your feet in the stirrups
• The scenery is spectacular, remember your camera
• Cell phone reception is not available on the trail, leave cell phones and music players in the car

A scrumptious Cowboy Cookout at Hell's A'Roarin' Ranch is served every night at 7pm. We'd love to see all riders back for dinner and entertainment around the campfire. The 4pm departure is perfect to add-on the campfire dinner. An ideal meal to close your day.

Riders, please be at Flying Pig Rafting Company in Gardiner Montana at least one hour before your scheduled ride time. If there is any spare time we have terrific merchandise and great t-shirts.

*Ride availability subject to change