Ranch Stays & Pack Trips in the Bighorn Mountains

2025 Dates:

Set dates (see below)

Duration:

Ranch Stays: 6 days / 5 nights
Pack Trips: 8 days / 7 nights

Riding Level:

All levels welcome

The Paintrock Canyon Ranch is located at the western base of the Bighorn Mountains. The ranch’s 80,000 acre range extends toward Cloud Peak, the highest mountain in the Bighorns, and is characterized by creeks, springs, meadows, and canyon walls reaching thousands of feet above. It is teeming with rich populations of elk, deer, turkey and bobcat. Paintrock Creek, the largest aquifer coming from the Bighorns, is home to some of the best trout fly fishing in northern Wyoming.

Stays are designed to intimately explore and experience the natural world and this unique landscape. Our goal is to put you as close as we can to the heartbeat of the Paintrock Creek and Canyon, as well as the red wall of hills that Native Americans lived and thrived in. You will leave with a deep understanding of the rich history of the area and the important role that ranching plays in restoring our natural resources, while exploring nooks and crannies that only a few people have ever seen.


Horses

Bring your own horse - Stalls are available on-site for riders bringing their own horse. Please read the Guest Horse Guidelines if you plan to bring your horse!

Guests cannot bring their own horses on pack trips.

Ride a Ranch Horse - available at no additional charge.


Riding Level

All levels welcome

From beginners to advanced riders, rides on the ranch can accommodate everyone in between. Accompanying non-riders are welcome as well.

Riders on pack trips should have at least a basic knowledge of horses and riding.


Tack

Riders of all disciplines are welcome.

Riders riding ranch horses will be in Western tack.


Terrain

The terrain changes from deep orange and burgundy sandstone hills to monolithic rock formations to high mountain meadows, pine forests and lakes.


Accommodation

The accommodations at Paintrock Canyon Ranch are designed to put you as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers and chairs. These sturdy, elegant tents are located next to the Paintrock creek at the entrance to the spectacular Paintrock Canyon. Ranch Vacation guests will spend five nights in the creekside accommodation. Pack trip guests will spend the first and second night of their stay in these tents before heading out to the backcountry, and will then return for their final evening on the ranch. For guests continuing from the ranch onto a Pack Trip, you can expect a more typical backpacking style camp with single person tents.


Dining

The Ranchlands dining experience features ranch-to-table gourmet meals, featuring traditional comfort foods with a modern twist, and providing an organic encounter with cuisine. Meals are prepared by a private chef and incorporate Ranchlands beef and local produce and dairy whenever possible.


Itinerary

Enjoy 5 nights on the ranch and 4 days of riding amongst the varying ecosystems the Paintrock Canyon Ranch has to offer. Take a long canter to the top of Lumen Canyon or Courthouse Rock. Spend the afternoon learning about the 2,000 year old Native American petroglyphs at the nearby Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site or fly fish in one the many fishing holes near camp. Itineraries are completely customizable and all activities are optional, so you can get as involved in ranch life as you like, or relax and take it easy.

Limited to ten guests per week.


Pack Trips

Our 7-night Pack Trips give guests the opportunity to explore the Paintrock Canyon Ranch before heading into the backcountry of the Bighorn National Forest on horseback. Spend the first two nights in the creekside safari tents and take a day ride on your first full day to become familiar with your horse before riding into the mountains. Day three will begin early to start the trip up the canyon with the pack horses, making our way to the mountain camp at the foot of Cloud Peak. Nights three through six will be spent in the Bighorn Basin. Mountain camp is simple but comfortable, and is based out of backpacking tents but complete with the comforts of a hot shower and meals prepared by a private chef over a campfire. Days will be spent visiting surrounding lakes, hiking and riding miles of trails, and riding out to the Ranchlands cow camp to spend the day with the ranch team. Evenings will be spent around the fire with new friends under a carpet of stars. The trip will end by packing back down the Canyon to cap the week with a farewell dinner and the historic Paintrock Inn for one last night sharing stories.


Planning and Packing


Dates

2025 Ranch Stay Dates

  • May 18-23 - Ranch Stay

  • May 25-30 - Poetry Retreat

  • June 1-6 - Advanced riders week

  • June 8-13 - Oil Painting with Julie Ferris

  • June 15-20 - Women, Horses & the West

  • June 22-27 - Foundational Horsemanship

  • June 29-July 4 - Intermediate Horsemanship

  • September 14-18 - Writing with Laurel Braitman

  • September 21-26 - Wine Week

  • September 28-October 3 - Capturing the Western Landscape

  • October 5-10 - Ranch Stay

  • October 12-17 - Writing with Pam Houston

2025 Pack Trip Dates

  • July 20-27

  • July 30-August 6

  • August 10-17

  • August 20-27

  • August 31-September 7


Book Now

Price Includes:

  • Accommodation

  • Horse Stall, if selected

  • Ranch horse, if not bringing a horse

  • All meals, from dinner on day of arrival to breakfast on day of departure

  • Group guided rides


Does not include:

  • Airfare or transportation to and from location

  • Transportation for riders or privately owned horses to and from riding locations

  • Care, feed, or supplies for privately owned horses

  • Additional travel costs such as riding apparel and insurance

  • Tax and gratuities