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Montana Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | World-renowned lakeside Dude Ranch, since 1945 on 2,000 acres lcoated in the Rocky Mountains in northwest Montana. |
| Capacity: | 120 guests |
| Open: | Family Season: June through early September. Group Season: May through early June and early September through mid October. |
| Altitude: | 3000 feet |
| Location: | Just 30 minutes south of Glacier National Park, near the western village of Bigfork, directly on the shores of Flathead Lake. |
| Reservations: | 406-837-4391 |
| Rates: |
Adults: Sunday-Sunday, all-inclusive. Rates are per person, per week. Adults $2989; teens, $2233; Group/business rates, please call for details.
Children: Children ages 6-12, $1995; children ages 3-5, $1246; and, infants, $161. For groups and business rates, call for details. |
| Minimum Stay: | June-Sept. 7 nights, group/business spring and fall varies |
| Deposit: | 30% of total lodging amount at the time of reservation |
| Payment: | Personal check preferred. American Express, MasterCard or VISA |
| Closest Airports: | 30 minutes from Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, MT |
| Transportation: | Shuttle service is available from the airport and train at a cost of $100 per family round trip. |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 Adults OrientedBig/Heavy Riders200-250 lbs. BuffaloCamps for KidsDude Ranch with Kids Camp Children's ProgramsBaby Sitting Children's Dining (kids eat together) Moderate - Half Day Children's Trail Riding6 yrs old Corporate Groups, MeetingsLarge (over 100) CuisineRanch/Western Vegetarian Culinary Trained ChefsDude/Guest RanchesEmail Access |
Fishing Fly Fishing Equipment Available Fish on Your Own Float Planes Lake Fishing on Property Professional Guides & Instruction Stream Fishing on Property Type of Fish Trout Spin Fishing Equipment Available Instruction Available Lake Fishing on Property River Fishing on Property GolfNear (within 30 miles) HikingGuided On Your Own Historic - National Historic SiteHorseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesQuarter KayakingLanguages SpokenEnglish Laundry ServiceLiquorAvailable Bring Your Own |
MassageMountain BikingRafting Nearby (within 30 miles) Resort RanchesTennis & Swimming on Property SailingSmoking PermittedSwimming PoolHeated Team BuildingTennisOn Property White-Water RaftingNearby (within 30 miles) Class III | |
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| LODGING |
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| Comfortable, cozy accommodations ranging from 1-3 bedrooms in log cabins and historic log lodges with massive rock fireplaces overlooking the lake. Cabins are nestled in the tall pines surrounded by lush green grounds filled with flowers on the lakes edge. Accommodations are western motif with traditional log furniture and country quilts. Each lodge room joins a central lobby with a fireplace. All accommodations have daily maid service. |
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| RECREATION |
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| The Averill's have one of the most terrific family-oriented programs anywhere, offering a large selection of outdoor Western activities for all ages. The ranch offers horseback riding, horse games for kids and parents, breakfast rides, mountain cookouts, sailing, swimming in the lake or the heated pool, water skiing, beach fires, self-guided wilderness hiking, fly fishing, lake fishing, barn dances, volleyball, tennis, kids camp, arts and crafts, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing float trips and more. Families and children of all ages abound. Teenagers thrive with all the ranch recreation. All activities accommodate beginner to the experienced. You may horseback ride among elk, bison, and other unique wildlife in the ranches own game preserve. Visit Glacier National Park where hikers often view grizzly bears and mountain goats. Sail on the ranches own 51-foot "Q" Class racing sloops from the 1920's era America Cup boats. Fly fish miles of pristine rivers with experienced guides. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Averill's Ranch is a kid's paradise. Planned activities take place morning, afternoon and evening. Safety certified babysitters are available. Kids can become "Junior Wranglers" while at the ranch; they learn to ride horses, saddling, and horse care. There is even a kid’s rodeo during the week. A "Kid's Camp" gives young children the opportunity to spend a night in authentic teepees on the ranch. The extensive Arts and Crafts program is sure to please the kids. Projects are imaginative, creative and fun for children of all ages. Children are catered to at all age levels. Teenagers enjoy the ranch’s wide array of activities such as tubing, wake boarding, sand volleyball, and whitewater rafting. There are teen horse events, sailing and canoe races, all organized for teenagers. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Family-style meals are proudly served three times daily, kids eat together on the patio, parents may join the kids or be served informally inside. Homemade breads, and desserts made fresh daily. Lunch is served outside on the deck of the Main Lodge, overlooking Flathead Lake. Even Bison is served from the ranch's private herd. A happy hour gathering takes place daily in our private Saddle Sore Saloon where tales of the day are swapped freely among guests and cowboys. The ranch has been featured in Bon Appetit’, Better Homes and Garden, Sunset, and other major publications. The ranch was honored to be selected for Good Morning America’s 50th Anniversary Show. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| In the spring and fall months the ranch opens its doors to adventurous entrepreneurs who would like to have their company conferences or retreats in a place that is off the beaten path, where they have the solitude to discuss private matters or just to relax and shrug the stress of their corporate lives. The per person rates include meals, lodging, meeting facilities and lodge recreation. The ranch conference lakeside center offers four unique meeting rooms with the largest seating for 150 people. Corporations have chosen to return year after year for our high-quality service and private setting. Each year the ranch hosts numerous board meetings of major corporations. During the family season, the conference center is used for education and cultural events of interest to the guests. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Montana Dude Ranchers' Association and the National Dude Ranchers' Association |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Bigfork, Montana is located 40 miles south of Glacier National Park. It’s near the Bob Marshall Wilderness along the primitive area of the Jewel Basin in the majestic Rocky Mountains on the shores of Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake is the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi. It is 30 miles long and 15 miles wide. Summer water temperatures reach 70-74 degrees. The lake is one of the cleanest large lakes in the world. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| Les Averill founded Flathead Lake Lodge in 1945. He grew up on Flathead Lake during the depression. Through hard work and determination Les created his American dream. His vision was to offer a place for people to experience and enjoy the simple pleasures and beauty of western ranch, cowboy lifestyle. The 2,000-acre property, which began as a hunting and fishing lodge, has fulfilled that dream. The ranch enjoys over a 70% return of guests, many vacationing at the ranch for over 40 years. Les turned the reins over to his son, Doug, in 1971 when he retired. Since then Doug and his wife, Maureen, and their children, Chase, Laine, and Quindee host the ranch families in the same western tradition. The Averill family has long been in the horse rodeo and cattle ranching of the west. The Averills who held rodeo schools with world champions at the ranch, today continue to instruct young cowboys and girls in the cowboy traditions. |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Each day the ranch offers a variety of activities. A typical day would be as follows, you may participate as you wish: Monday Enjoy the day at your leisure in a fun adventure. 6:30 am Flyfishing trip departure to Porcupine Creek, Swan River 7 am Breakfast trail ride 7:30 am Wilderness hike in the Jewel Basin primitive area, self-guided 8 am Breakfast in the Main Lodge 8:45 am Whitewater rafting trip departure in front of the Main Lodge 9-Noon Horseback riding instruction in the arena 9-1 pm Lunch horseback ride to Swan Peak 9:30 am Children’s trail ride to cowboy camp 9:45 am Teen trail ride to Turtle Lake 10 am Boat cruises on Flathead Lake & up Flathead River to view bald eagles. 10-Noon Arts & Crafts upstairs in the barn 10:30 am Adult horseback ride through the game preserve or Mountain bike trip to Loon Lake Noon Lunch buffet on the lakeside patio 1-5 pm Water sports, skiing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, wake boarding 1-3 pm Arts & Crafts on the beach 1:30 pm Raft fishing trip departs from Main Lodge 4:30 pm Children’s adventure horseback ride 5:30 pm Happy hour in the Saddle Sore Saloon 6 pm Western BBQ 6:45 pm Children’s evening trail ride 7 pm Teen evening trail ride 7:30 pm Adult’s sunset horseback ride or Steer penning 8:30 pm Beach fire and sing-a-long on the island 9:30 pm Barn dance 9:30 pm Children’s tee pee camp 10:30 pm Rest up for the next day’s adventure! Each evening of the week Flathead Lake Lodge offers a variety of activities such as boat cruises, beach fires, steer roping, BBQ in the mountains, barn dancing with live entertainment, guest steer penning and children’s overnight camp, and kid’s rodeo, even a volleyball competition between staff and guests. Wilderness hikes are offered through the week, as well as mountain bike trips, flyfishing and whitewater rafting. You may do as much or as little as you please. All activities are optional and at your leisure. Instruction is available for beginners to experienced in all areas. |
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