YELLOWSTONE POP-UP RANCH
TO BENEFIT THE HISTORIC O.T.O. DUDE RANCH
STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE DATES
YELLOWSTONE POP-UP RANCH
TO BENEFIT the historic o.t.o. dude ranch
We’re hopeful to return to the O.T.O. Dude Ranch in 2025! Stay tuned for updates.
Just over 10 miles from the north gates of Yellowstone National Park in a mountain valley along the Cedar Creek lies the O.T.O. Ranch, Montana’s very first dude ranch. Now you can return to this historic ranch for an exclusive pop-up dude ranch experience that will raise funds to help shape its future.
A Pop-Up Ranch production by Ranch Preservation in cooperation with the Custer Gallatin National Forest. 100% of the proceeds of this special pop-up event will be donated toward the efforts to preserve and restore the historic O.T.O. Ranch, which operated as a dude ranch from the 1910s to 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LODGING
Lodging will be in the original, circa 1912, O.T.O. log cabins with cozy bedding, Navajo rugs, and beautiful appointments. Each historic ranch cabin will have its own private, modern glamping-style bathhouse.
adventures
Classic dude ranch adventures await: horseback riding in the Montana wilderness, sport shooting, archery and hiking; plus special events and evening entertainment. You’ll have the opportunity to fish Cedar Creek, one of the least-fished mountain streams in Paradise Valley. Off-ranch activities including white water rafting, visits to Yellowstone Hot Springs; and for guests staying six nights a Yellowstone National Park Tour by Yellowstone Forever.
DINING
Meals during this pop-up dude ranch experience will range from Cowboy Cookouts on the front lawn, cocktails and dinners enjoyed in the expansive, historic lodge; or sack lunches out on the trail. You’ll enjoy a taste of Montana with locally inspired dishes and traditional ranch recipes.
ADVENTURES
HORSEBACK RIDING
Experience the beauty of Yellowstone Country like the original O.T.O. dudes with horseback rides through scenic valleys, open meadows and forested mountains.
Age Minimum: 5 years old
ARCHERY & SPORT SHOOTING
Practice your marksmanship with our safe and fun sport shooting and archery programs. .22 target shooting available.
Age Minimums: Archery — 5 years old, Target Shooting — 8 years old
HIKING
The O.T.O. Ranch sits along the Cedar Creek trail, which begins with a trailhead at the base of the valley. You can continue the hiking trail to some beautiful vistas above the ranch.
FLY FISHING
Directly on the ranch you’ll find Cedar Creek: one of the least-fished mountain streams in Paradise Valley. You can fish it with your own equipment, or borrow equipment from us.*
If you are interested in a professional guided trip on the Yellowstone River or in the National Park, we’re excited to recommend Parks’ Fly Shop, a local outfitter in Gardiner. Contact Parks’ Fly Shop directly to schedule a full or half-day excursion during your trip to Montana.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Experience the ultimate Yellowstone adventure with a white water rafting trip with our friends at Flying Pig Adventure Company. We’ll head into Gardiner where you’ll depart with Flying Pig’s experienced guides for a float down the Yellowstone River, where you’ll navigate calm waters and challenging rapids (ranging from Class I to occasional Class IV during high water) during your three or six-night stay. See the rafting excursion first hand from our friends at Today’s Wild West in this video!
Rafting participants must weigh at least 45 lbs.
YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the mineral-rich pools of the Yellowstone Hot Springs during your three- or six-night stay. The hot springs are nestled along the banks of the Yellowstone River, with panoramic mountain views. Unwind and recharge in these soothing waters amidst a breathtaking natural setting.
*We have a small selection of basic fly fishing equipment available to borrow. We recommend you bring your own equipment if you are interested in fishing, and a Montana State Fishing License is required. You can purchase a fishing license for two consecutive days, ten consecutive days or the whole season. Pricing varies depending on residency. Click here to purchase a fishing license.
ADDITIONAL TOURS
FOR 6-NIGHT GUESTS
The O.T.O. is just 10 miles from the north gates of Yellowstone, and you’ll have the chance to experience the 150-year-old park for a day during your six-night stay at the O.T.O. with a guided tour from Yellowstone Forever or half-day horseback ride with a local outfitter.
TOUR OF
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
For guests staying six nights, we are offering a full day tour of Yellowstone National Park with Yellowstone Forever. Yellowstone Forever’s incredible guides will take you on a special in-depth tour of the Park to see some of the spectacular landscapes and attractions, and search for wildlife. Lunch will be provided during the tour.
For guests staying three nights, you can also consider touring Yellowstone National Park on your own! The O.T.O. is close to the North Entrance and some of Yellowstone’s popular northern attractions including Lamar Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
HALF-DAY RIDE INTO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
For our six-night guests who would prefer to see Yellowstone on horseback, we’re partnering with Horsetrack Outfitters to bring you a special half-day ride into America’s first National Park. Transportation will be provided to and from the trailhead where you’ll depart in the morning with Horsetrack’s experienced guides, on their horses.
If you have booked a three-night stay and are interested in adding on a ride with Horsetrack Outfitters (at an additional charge) please visit their website for more information and details about how to book.
YOUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
- LODGING IN HISTORIC CABINS
- ALL MEALS & LIBATIONS
- HORSEBACK RIDING
- RANCH ACTIVITIES
- SPECIAL EVENTS & LOCAL TOURS
- EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
- WHITE WATER RAFTING BY FLYING PIG ADVENTURE COMPANY
- YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS VISIT
- 6-NIGHT STAYS INCLUDE A TOUR OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK BY YELLOWSTONE FOREVER
getting to the o.t.o.
DRIVING FROM BOZEMAN YELLOWSTONE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 1.5 hours
DRIVING FROM BILLINGS-LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 2 hours 40 minutes
Airport transportation to/from the Bozeman Airport is available for an additional charge.
reservations
STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE POP-UP RANCH DATES
Images courtesy Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Libbey Family.
O.T.O. RANCH HISTORY
As Montana’s very first dude ranch, the O.T.O. Ranch holds a special place in the state’s history, as well as that of dude ranching and the western experience. It was established in 1898 when Dick and Dora Randall purchased land north of Yellowstone National Park. They offered guided trips in the surrounding wilderness until 1912 when guests became so numerous they opened up cabins, followed by the construction of the expansive lodge between 1914 and 1920. Considered the “Father of Montana Dude Ranching,” Dick Randall promoted the O.T.O. Ranch heavily, traveling to eastern states attracting guests to this new outdoor vacation experience. The Randalls drew guests to the rustic western experience until the sale of the ranch in the mid-1930s to Gay Randall and Chan Libbey. It was run as a dude ranch until 1939.
During its heyday, the O.T.O. attracted illustrious guests and became a centerpoint of western architecture, craftsmanship and furniture—including being one of famed western craftsman Thomas Molesworth’s first commissions.
Ownership of the ranch changed hands until it was ultimately acquired by the USDA Forest Service from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to preserve and manage it in the 1990s. The Custer Gallatin National Forest has since stewarded modern preservation efforts.
“Those were the good old days. Everybody was happy, millionaires and cow hands all shared alike.” – Dick Randall, O.T.O. Dude Ranch Founder
O.T.O. RANCH PRESERVATION
Ranch Preservation’s Yellowstone Pop-Up event will be the first to bring dude ranch guests back to the historically significant property in an effort to continue the preservation and restoration of the O.T.O. Dude Ranch.
100% of the proceeds of this special pop-up event will be donated toward the efforts to preserve and restore the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Pop-Up Ranch production by Ranch Preservation in cooperation with the Custer Gallatin National Forest to benefit the preservation of the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch.
THE O.T.O. DUDE RANCH IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
