Travel & Airport Information

The Missoula Airport (MSO) is a one-hour drive from the ranch. Kalispell (FCA) Airport is 2.5 hours. When needed, we can provide shuttles to/from the Missoula airport.

Communications

The FireTower Lodge, Ponderosa and Doug Fir cabins each have wireless internet for guest use.

There is a Verizon tower about 5 miles west of the Ranch and reception on the Verizon network can generally be reached in outside areas around the Ranch.  AT&T reception at the ranch is non-existent. 

 The Lodge, Doug Fir Cabin and Ponderosa cabins each have a have a telephone landline that may be used for incoming and outgoing calls. 

Local Dining and Shopping

Ovando

Ovando is a small, sleepy town with some charm and interest and worth a visit if you’re hungry or need some flies to “match the hatch”. You’ll find a great little breakfast and lunch spot at The Stray Bullet, the perfect fly shop with great local knowledge at The Blackfoot Angler and a legendary bar with lots of local color called Trixi’s Antler Saloon that also serves a country dinner. While the food at Trixi’s is basic, the local people and vibe at the bar is authentic Montana and worth a trip, particularly on Dance Night. The Blackfoot Commercial Company is the local grocery and mercantile with basic groceries, gas and supplies. There is also a post office in Ovando, as well as a museum that is quite interesting. Also worth noting is that little Ovando has become an important rest stop on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. On any day in the summer you’re likely to encounter people from all over the world who are biking the route non-stop from Canada to Mexico.

Seeley Lake

The population of Seeley Lake multiplies exponentially in the summertime as the lake is a big draw for boaters and hikers. Seeley Lake provides all the basic services, drugstore, gas, hardware and a grocery store. There are several good restaurants, most notable is Lindley’s Prime Steak House and Seasons at the Double Arrow Resort. If you’re driving through the town during the day, stop for a quick bite or ice cream at either the Ice Cream Place or the Blue River Station.

Missoula

Missoula is 55 minutes away and is a thriving city full of young, outdoorsy people and local commerce. The University of Montana is located in Missoula and so the city’s vibe and culture is trendy and more liberal than most places in Montana. Missoula is the place to go for any significant shopping or dining experience. Our favorite for food shopping is the Good Food Store, located near downtown. They have a great produce section, lots of healthy options and a good meat counter with local cuts. Of course there is also Costco, located outside of town and that is always a good option.

Spending a few hours walking around downtown Missoula is a worthwhile endeavor. All of the following are located in or near the downtown area:

• Recommended eateries are Scotty’s Table, Cafe Dolce, Five on Black, Masala, The Top Hat, The Notorious P.I.G, Pie Hole and Biga Pizza. These are mostly all casual eateries, some are not open for lunch.

• Missoula is known for its great breweries, most of which also serve good food. These include The Dram Shop, Imagination Brewing, Kettle House Brewery, Tamarack Brewery, and the Iron Horse Bar.

• Recommended downtown coffee shops are The Break Espresso and Black Coffee Roasting. Big Dipper and Sweet Peaks are two great ice cream options.

• Recommended shopping in Missoula includes the Trail Head, Grizzly Hackle, Red Rooster, Cloth and Crown and Green Light. Other shopping destinations not in the downtown area are Murdoch’s for western wear and REI for outdoor gear.

There are plenty of fun activities in and around Missoula. The annual Western Montana Fair takes place at the Missoula fairgrounds during the second week of August. College football on Saturdays in the fall is a big event at the University of Montana. Keep an eye out to attend many of the different festivals throughout the year that might be of interest. Kids will enjoy zip lining at Snow-bowl Mountain park during the Summer months.

Finally, there is a very fun Farmers Market on Saturday mornings with excellent, local produce and gobs of coveted huckleberries, when in season.

Music and Entertainment

The Kettlehouse Amphitheater is a 45-minute drive from the ranch and has recently been voted as one of the top 50 outdoor music venues in the US. It is a beautiful and dramatic place to see a concert right on the banks of the Blackfoot River. Recent shows have included the Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlisle, Robert Plant, Foreigner, Gary Clark Jr. and Bon Iver. If you enjoy live music, be sure to check the schedule for the week of your visit. We are happy to arrange transportation.