North America ~ Montana

Flynn Ranch is a working cattle ranch just outside the small town of Townsend in Montana, midway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. It is run by Ted Flynn and his wife Debra, whose ancestors have been ranching this land for generations and provides the adventurous traveller with a great chance to experience the real West and life on a genuine working cattle ranch. Flynn Ranch covers about 22,000 acres in all, part of which surrounds the ranch house and part of which is in Montana’s beautiful mountain country, high above Townsend. The ranch is run as it has been for centuries, yet has the advantage of modern facilities and, with a maximum of only 5 or 6 guests in any week, your stay is always highly personalised - individual riders are welcome and it is a wonderful choice for a group of friends booking together.

On certain dates, there is also the option of joining ranchers on an authentic cattle drive, moving large numbers of cattle from lowland pastures to grazing allotments high in the hills, the epitome of the western ranching experience.

Summary

Horses and Riding

Riding: 3 - 7 hours a day (flexible).

Horses: Quarterhorse and Quarterhorse cross.

Pace: varied, up to moderate/fast.

Riding ability: intermediate riders and above.

Weight limit: 91kg (14st 4 lbs).

Accommodation: comfortable cabins, some tents on cattle drives

Group size: maximum 4 to 6 guests at the ranch; 12 on cattle drives.

For Flynn Ranch testimonials click here

There is a good selection of horses on the ranch, most of which are home or locally bred. The majority are Quarter horse and Quarter horse crosses which average around 15hh to 15.2hh. There is no strict weight limit for riders at Flynn Ranch but as special arrangements for weight carrying horses have to be made (Quarter horses are not that big in general) anyone weighing over 14 stone 4lbs (91kgs) should check with us first. Horses are ridden western style with western tack / traditional western saddles and you will be asked to groom and tack up your own horse each day.

Hours: Every day is different but you need to be prepared for some long days, with 6 to 7 hours riding.

Pace and experience required: The riding and riding pace during a stay at Flynn Ranch and whilst on a Cattle Drive is varied and really depends on the work that you are doing. When driving cattle, the pace might be slow with steep banks or rough, scrub covered valleys to climb and rocky narrow tracks to negotiate but on both there are usually good opportunities for some faster pace.

Accommodation at Flynn Ranch is in one of three 'bunkhouses' - weatherboard cabins. Rooms are simple but the bunkhouses are fairly newly built, are well decorated and reasonably comfortable. The cabins share two private bathrooms. Accommodation on Cattle Drives is either in the cabins at Flynn Ranch or in tents set up close to the bunkhouses so the bathroom facilities in the bunkhouses can be used.

Rates 2010	Ranch stays (6 nights) - USD 1595 Cattle Drives (6 nights) - USD 1795 single supplements - none charged Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, 6 nights twin bedded cabin accommodation, meals and airport transfers from / to Bozeman. Rates exclude - flights to the US / Bozeman, personal medical insurance (compulsory), drinks, fishing licence fees, any visa fees and any tips you wish to leave. Prices are quoted in US dollars as the ride prices in Montana are set in this currency. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.
Dates 2010	6 nights stay, Monday to Sunday, with 5 days riding and will be run from the following dates in 2010: Ranch stays 7th to 13th June 21st to 27th June 5th to 11th July 19th to 25th July 9th to 15th August 23rd to 29th August 6th to 12th September Cattle Drives 10th to 16th May 24th to 30th May 2011 Cattle Drives 9th to 15th May 23rd to 29th May 2011 August date to follow
Season	May to September

The nearest airport to Flynn Ranch is Bozeman in Montana though you can also fly to Helena. Transfers from Bozeman and Helena on the first Sunday (Monday for Cattle Drives) and back after your stay are included. There are several options for flights to Bozeman - usually the best routing is with North West Airlines via Minneapolis but this depends on the time of year and there are various other options. Airfares vary with the routing and season but budget around £700 to £850 for an economy return to Bozeman.

6 Night Cattle Drive

Day 1	Met at Bozeman airport and driven to Flynn Ranch. Meet the wranglers and other guests for dinner and a briefing. Overnight at Flynn Ranch, either in cabins or tents.
Day 2	Breakfast, then you will be driven to the summer pastures in the hills above Townsend. Meet the horses and a short familiarisation ride to try them and see the area. Lunch, and in the afternoon, ride out to start rounding up cattle from the surrounding foothills, herding them into corrals. Dinner and night at Flynn Ranch.
Day 3	Return to the hill country to saddle up and start driving the cattle along the trail. Return to Flynn Ranch for dinner and the night.
Day 4	Breakfast and continue along the trail, stopping for lunch en route. Dinner and night at Flynn Ranch.
Day 5	Gather up the cattle and drive them the last few miles to new summer pastures. Time to relax, swim in the creek and fish before returning to Flynn for dinner and the night.
Day 6	A chance to sleep in today. Breakfast and a last ride before lunch then a chance for some shopping before dinner in Townsend and back to Flynn for the last night.
Day 7	Breakfast and then you will be driven to Bozeman for your flight home.
	Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions