Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch

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.