Advisor Intel: Paws Up Through the Seasons
It’s a traditional Montana welcome HOME - after a long day of work, your best friend is so excited to see you that he jumps up and places his paws on your chest to say “Welcome home!”
That is the kind of welcome that you will receive as soon as you arrive (well, not really, but it’ll feel like it)! The laughter is contagious, the magic of the wilderness is permeable, and the fun is never-ending. The owners of the ranch have invested a tremendous amount of effort to turn the dude ranch into a luxury experience that is still authentic - from the five-star dining, to the cattle drives that guests can participate in, to the spa, no detail is overlooked.
They call it “the last best place,” and we could not agree more.
THe Stay
Location
The Resort at PAWS UP is located on a sprawling 37,000-acre working cattle ranch in the Montana mountains. The ranch is most easily reached via the Missoula International Airport. A 35-minute drive takes you northeast through the pristine wilderness that Lewis & Clark themselves explored to arrive at the ranch. PAWS UP offers a round-trip transfer to and from the Missoula Airport per cabin or tent, which is included in the rates.
Our Favorite ROoms
Summer: Available May to mid-October, North Bank Camp is the only camp at Paws Up located on the North side of the legendary Blackfoot River. The tents in this camp are 2 and 3 bedrooms - Paws Up was the first camp in the U.S. to offer three-bedroom tents, which could easily accommodate a family of 4 or 6 people. Every tent has a picturesque deck overlooking the river bank, and all of the tents in The North Bank Camp are named after local birds. Every camp at Paws Up has its own lodge, which serves as a place to relax near the massive fireplace and oversized picture windows. Breakfast and dinner are also served in the pavilion.
Winter: While available year-round, the place to stay during the winter is one of the 28 vacation homes on property, each situated within a forest of timbers overlooking the rolling meadows and majestic mountainscapes. The Big Timber Homes offer some of the most versatile, offering one-bedroom cozy honeymoon homes perfect for a romantic getaway for two, and family homes of two- and three- bedrooms. Each home has a large back deck with a hot tub, perfect for taking in those cold, winter nights. All of these luxury homes boast Western-chic decor and modern amenities, including the private use of a Lexus SUV for on-ranch travel during your stay.
Recommended For
Paws Up offers a great getaway for couples, honeymooners, families, groups - there is honestly something here for everyone!
6 Degrees amenities
By booking your stay at PAWS UP through 6 Degrees, you’ll receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability.
Daily full breakfast (included in rates).
Complimentary round-trip private airport transfers.
Bottle of wine in room on arrival.
A $300 USD activity credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full).
Early check-in, late check-out, subject to availability.
Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Eat & Drink
Hotel restaurant
The executive chef at Paws Up draws his inspiration from the surrounding landscape and culture of the West. The result is refined rustic ranch cuisine blends traditional culinary techniques with the best farm-fresh ingredients available. As described by Paws Up’s website," “Huckleberries picked from the slopes of surrounding mountains might complement a breakfast of French toast and hand-made sausage. Fresh Rocky Mountain trout, sautéed with herbs, may be paired with an exquisite Napa Valley Chardonnay.”
Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up.
Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up.
Best Local Haunts
Being situated on 37,000 acres of wilderness, the nearest town of Missoula is located 35 minutes away. As such, there are limited “local haunts” nearby.
Time to Play
Our Favorite activities (by season)
While there is no shortage of activities to keep everyone happy, the entire list would be impossible to include here! Instead, let us describe some of our favorites.
Spring: In Spring, a simple hike bears the most reward. You’ll see a countryside covered with budding flora and fauna. Babies of the mammals surrounding the resort can be viewed. Birds start to emerge from their burrows - keep an eye out for the resident bald eagle!
Summer: In the summertime, the water is where it is at! The world is your oyster: jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing, whitewater rafting, sailing, swimming, floating, etc. Bring your swimsuit!
Fall: Fall is the perfect time for fly-fishing. The weather is also perfect - cool during the evening and warm during the day, so it’s the perfect time for ATVing, biking, and horseback rides.
Winter: Have you ever heard of skijoring? It’s a popular winter sport out in Montana in which a cross-country skier is pulled by a horse or by dogs. The resort at Paws Up has two trails you can try - one course for training and the other for competitive skijors.
The Spa
Are you looking to relax? Paws Up has one of the best spas in the American Wild West. “Spa Town” - Paws Up name for this area - is its own colony of white tents connected by a wooden boardwalk with views of spotted horses in the distance. Despite being located on the edge of a huge meadow, this is a full-service spa, complete with baths and showers and heated massage tables. Try a hot stone massage with Blackfoot River Rocks!
Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up.
Lasting Impressions
Travel Designer Kelly Harrison reports, “My husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary at Paws Up. We were looking for a snowy escape, a winter wonderland experience you might say. We found that and so much more at this Montana gem. The Resort at Paws Up is, in short, a luxury ranch experience. It is to this day a working cattle ranch but at the same time a full fledged luxury resort. It's luxury but oh so comfortable (and in the winter, extra cozy). Paws Up immediately felt like home away from home. The ranch was covered in snow during our February visit and we enjoyed many of the resort's winter activities. From the adrenaline rush of a snowmobile adventure, to the quiet and calm of a horse back ride by the Blackfoot River. There is truly something for everyone. After a morning or afternoon activity, we always found ourselves headed back to our private home to start a fire. We couldn't get enough of the roaring fire in the comfort of our "Big Timber Home." There are many accommodation options at Paws Up... in the Summer months, glamping is a must! The resort just oozes comfort in a way that makes you feel warm and welcomed. The food was out of this world and the ranch hosts culinary events year round. Paws Up has it all. We loved our snow covered getaway and are already planning a return trip to enjoy the ranch in the warmer months. September is a staff favorite. Do yourself a favor and put this on your "must visit" list - you will not be disappointed!”
Senior Travel Designer Grace Harvey adds, “I visited Paws Up with a group of agents last October - where we were able to experience many of the resort's summer activities while staying in their North Bank Tented Camp. Glamping at Paws Up is one of my favorite travel experiences to date. While the tents are very modern, with air conditioning, running water, and comfortable beds - it still gives you the rustic midwest experience that you crave when you visit Montana. My other favorite thing about this special place are the people. On arrival, you are assigned to a butler who anticipates your every need and, even more importantly, becomes a fast friend! The guides are also excellent - truly experts in their respective fields who are also friendly and fun. Overall, Paws Up is a top notch experience for a family or couple looking for authentic Montana with a luxurious twist.”
