Welcome Creek may not strike you as a very welcoming place, at least not at first glance. It's not…read moreunwelcoming, exactly, but it makes an impression - an intimidating impression. It's steep, rocky, rugged, and wild. Once you cross the swaying suspension bridge from the trail head parking to the other side of Rock Creek, you're really entering another world, in which humans rarely tread. As far as wilderness areas go, this one is tiny at just over 28,000 acres, but it doesn't feel tiny when you are there. It's a single watershed, a clear mountain creek whose headwaters are high above in the Sapphire Range, where snows linger into late spring and early summer. A rough hewn trail follows the creek all the way to the top of the dividing ridgeline. To the East is picturesque Rock Creek, brimming with trout fishermen. To the West over the ridge is the Bitterroot Valley. In between are wilderness, deep canyons, steep mountains, dense forests, and diverse wildlife. It's not a place that many people explore, and recent wildfires have rendered the landscape even less inviting. It looks and feels frightening. But these feelings are initial ones only. They will fade away, and what remains is an appreciation for the protected wildness that is Welcome Creek. You really are the leave-no-trace visitor here, and you'll know it. Whether you are clambering over fallen trees, negotiating a rocky talus field, or scrambling atop boulders to get a better view, the wilderness value of this place is abundantly evident. If you linger long enough, you'll detect the small things that reveal a healthy forest in the process of healing itself, hiding the traces of its gold mining past, and slowly replacing the burnt trees and scorched hillsides with new growth and green foliage. The sounds are minimal, but majestic. The wilderness can be a welcoming place, if you open your eyes, calm your mind, and respect the limits of man in a place that is not his alone to possess. The plants and animals can have Welcome Creek as a sanctuary. I'll play the role as guest, any day.

Thank you Erik and the team (especially Miss Luna) for providing an enjoyable first time. Initially…read moreI spoke with Robert and booked the appointment the night before, he was kind and very helpful, and a pleasure to meet in person. I was a bit nervous but so eager to get on a horse for the first time and appreciated Robert's guidance, as to not let the horse know I was nervous, and ride with confidence and peace. There were a couple moments when I was scared, but replayed his words in my head, took some deep breaths and took back control of the situation. The trail paths were beautiful and full of lush greenery, some which might whip you in the face depending on how the horse is feeling. Be sure to get to your appointment early to sign your waiver, and bring a camera or phone on trial so you can get photos.

We were visiting from California and Maps took us to their winter location so we called to let them…read moreknow we'd be about 45mins late, and they were so accommodating! Marissa was our guide and she paired us perfectly with our horses! She really made us feel comfortable and even captured some great pics and videos for us while we focused on directing our horses and enjoying the scenery. 10 out of 10 experience! Would definitely re-visit just to see Big Back Bo!

This is our go-to place for hiking. Known simply as "The Rattlesnake" to locals, here you can find…read morea variety of hiking trails for people of all ages. This area is gorgeous and full of natural beauty. Regardless of which hiking trail you decide to explore, you will be taken back by the beautiful Montana scenery. My family and I have been coming here for 13 years now, and it still remains our favorite spot to soak up some nature. If you are just traveling through the area and came to this review, I promise you won't be disappointed. Here's a little secret: during huckleberry season, you will find there are plenty of huckleberry bushes scattered throughout the different trails. I would suggest grabbing a handful to snack on while you are hiking. If you aren't sure what they look like, Google "huckleberry bushes." The second you taste the sweetness of one, you will know. Be sure to bring some water with you if this is your first time. Also, don't forget to take lots of pictures!

Wonderful hiking area with abundant wildlife! Fortunately we did not come across any bears!read more

Stellar resort! Place is gorgeous and everything here is 5plus stars from the rooms, staff,…read moregrounds, activities hard to imaging a better place to relax and be with the family I've heard great things about this place prior to booking and it is really true The folks here go way overboard to meet every expectation highly highly recommend

A piece of heaven on earth! Words won't do the experience justice. From the impeccable yet…read morefriendly service to the divine meals to the ambiance of the location itself and the cabins that seamlessly nestle into the surroundings. A trip of a lifetime that hope won't be my last.

Spending the day with a resident expert in her field was so extra special i can't even say enough!…read moreWenFei answered our myriad of questions perfectly and made our trip out to Bison National Park memorable! In addition to knowing all things (and i do mean all) about the local birds, including their sounds and habitats, she could also share information perfectly about the bison, the antelopes (that we saw that day) and the native grizzlies. The local donuts were amazing as well as our lunch out with some local Montana fare. All in all a superb day, chock full of information that will have your feeling like an expert too! Don't miss this opportunity!

Wenfei organized a full day trip for us to the Flathead Wilderness Area. We went driving on bumpy…read moremountain roads, hiking up the side of a mountain alongside a picturesque babbling brook and picnicked next to a sparkling lake with a view of the mountains. Our focus was photography, and our route did not disappoint on that score. We also stopped for fresh baked goods and coffee on our way out of Missoula which made the ride that much more pleasant. We are generally outdoor people but we chose to use a tour company because we were traveling with a baby and didn't know how to find routes that would be child friendly and not overly demanding. We would definitely recommend Wenfei's guiding services and have referred several friends to her Big Sky Safaris for Montana travel. In particular her being a biologist makes an outstanding enhancement to hiking - we are not very knowledgeable about birds and animal droppings, and Wenfei pointed out all sorts of interesting things for us as well as small details worth photographing that we wouldn't have noticed on our own. Wenfei made us very comfortable, gave us excellent gear advice, and spared us many hours of poring over maps to identify good areas to visit. She also was really knowledgeable about the local plants and birds during our early autumn MT trip. This was a great splurge during our MT trip and one we'd do again in a heart beat.

Amazing! Not sure where to start!! Our family of 4 spent the week of Thanksgiving '24 here at The…read moreRanch at Rock Creek and had a culmination of experiences that would forever be remembered. We flew into Missoula and spent one night at a downtown hotel before making our way to the ranch. From the moment the RC driver met us in the hotel lobby to the time we were dropped off at the airport we were impressed. The experiences at RC was totally awesome. Each time we would head out with our private guide we embarked on an unforgettable journey. We started off as a family doing the UTV tour of the ranch. Absolutely beautiful and serene time! One of my favorite experiences was the respite by the creeks edge. The staff had made a fire for us, placed some hammocks out, some games and books on our picnic bench. This was of course accompanied by a great bottle of wine and a charcuterie board! Our kids did some fly fishing while mom and I relaxed that afternoon. All of the facilities are top-notch and there is a ton of detail at every turn on this property. Some of our favorite shooting experiences were the rifle range and revolver shooting course with our guides Karson & Robert. The food at RC is an experience in itself and as good as you can imagine. We were lucky enough to meet the new chef Zach and he is truly passionate about his work! His first meal at the ranch was nothing short of amazing. Each dish was absolutely incredible & ultra tasty! The entire staff was so kind and attentive to us which we truly appreciated. Many thanks to Candace to making sure everything was perfect for us! Emily our breakfast server was so kind and thoughtful in the way she greeted & served us each morning! Brett was our dinner server most nights and he was always a joy to be around. He was also quite fast on the 5k Thanksgiving day but not quite as fast as Reed! Overall we had a some incredible expierences and plan to return to RC in the near future!

What a relaxing and entertaining experience! The ranch was decorated with all the rustic elegance…read moreone expects from a Montana ranch resort. The accommodations demand first class status, along with the food and drinks deserving loud applause. The activities were enjoyable and the staff were very knowledgeable. The equipment, including all necessary clothing, were of exceptional quality. After dinner, we had fun at the Saloon where movies, pool, and bowling were offered. This is a 5 star resort in all regards. It is worth every dollar spent. In fact, I would say it is a bargain. We will be back.

I loved everything about our ride today! My horse was amazing, so gentle and sweet and such an easy…read moreride. We went all around the property through the fields. up into the mountains and even crossed a river! That was so fun!! Riding on the back of a horse through water is the best!!! All the horses are Tennessee walkers and the ride guides are very knowledgeable if you're in Missoula and looking for something to do this is a great daytime adventure. I believe our ride was about two hours.

Highly recommend. So professional and the horses are well taken care of. Cassie is a hoot and a…read morevery knowledgeable horsewoman. The horses are Tennessee Walkers and are so smooth to ride. If you are in Missoula....take time to book a ride.

My granddaughter and i stayed there last week. the lodge is beautiful!…read morethe staff is very accommodating and friendly. the horseback riding is wonderful. the view is so beautiful no matter what way you look. this is a great B and B!! i will go back again as soon as possible!

In April of 2018, I contracted with Trapper Peak Outfitters, owned by Mr. Laramy Miller to go on an…read moreelk and mule deer hunt. However, I did not draw a tag for either of these hunts, even though Mr. Miller stated on the phone and in his hunt documentation that these were "GUARANTEED DRAWS". I tried on subsequent occasions to purchase a surplus tag from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department with no luck. I spoke to and texted Mr. Miller and he assured me that, in his words, "I will make it right regardless". Since the hunting season did not end until the end of November, I did not try to contact Mr. Miller until early December. Since then I have sent certified letters, called, and texted Mr. Miller. All with no response. When I tried to access the Trapper Peak Outfitters website I found it had been shut down. I think Mr. Miller is trying to hide from his obligations. I want my deposit money returned. Be forewarned about Trapper Peak Outfitters and Mr. Laramy Miller.