The Bar W Guest Ranch is nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, between two pine-covered ridges in the Glacier National Forest area of Montana where beautiful vistas and rolling ridges adorn the Montana countryside dude ranch.

The ranch consists of a 6,200 square-foot lodge, cabin suites, indoor and outdoor horseback-riding arenas, stables, a barn, play meadow, an entertainment area and a gazebo on the lake - all helping to make the Bar W an idyllic dude ranch vacation for guests to soak in all year long.

Staying at the Bar W is a truly unique experience. You can enjoy your morning breakfast overlooking the south pasture full of horses, area wildlife, and all of the ranch activities. All ranch facilities are at your disposal providing an unforgettable Western holiday. This Family dude ranch, on Spencer Lake just outside Whitefish, MT is open year round and ready to treat you with true Western Montana hospitality - from the moment you arrive until long after you have left.

Bar W's horseback-riding program is the main attraction. Experienced staff, trained horses, and the assorted terrain ranch guests traverse make for an incredible horseback riding experience across hundreds of thousands of acres. Ride in the mountains, over the foothills and across the open prairies of Montana Big Sky country. Riding events take place in the ranch's indoor and outdoor arenas, such as horsemanship clinics, barrel racing, egg races, pole bending and more. Cowpoke lessons for beginners let you feel comfortable with your ride. And for those more experienced cowboys and cowgirls, advanced lessons include roping, team penning and sorting cattle.

Wait until you sit down to breakfast or dinner and taste some of the best down-home cooking this side of the Mississippi - Montana style! Meals are prepared with love and care and are always served in hearty portions - no one leaves hungry. Have a unique food requirement? Just let the ranch cooks know and they can accommodate your request.

Bar W Guest Ranch is located on Spencer Lake, where there are 3,000 acres available for horseback riding and all kinds of outdoor activities. Almost all of ranch guests - families, adults, singles and groups alike - have a tendency to think they are miles away from civilization here. But just 3.5 miles down the road from the guest ranch is one of the most vibrant towns in Montana: Whitefish. Expect to find some of the finest in shopping, dining, theater, and night life.

Sit back, relax and observe the beauty of Montana's wildlife, such as whitetail and mule deer, moose, bears, eagles, coyotes, wolves and mountain lions. You are sure to see some of these during your dude ranch vacation.

Experience a real Dude ranch vacation including authentic cattle drives! In addition to horseback riding, there is plenty for all ages to do and discover at the Bar W.

Guests are invited to explore the entire property - watch our trainers work the horses, help with the chores (if you like, of course), fish for big pike on Spencer Lake, hike the miles and miles of trails, mountain bike, swim in the lake, throw horseshoes, or play badminton, volleyball, or a leisurely game of pool. You can even test your archery skills or try your hand at breaking some clay pigeons. All this and more is what you can expect from a ranch vacation at the Bar W.

In the Winter Months you can still ride horseback through the trails or in their indoor arena. Snowshoe or cross-country ski right out the back door, skate or ice fish on Spencer Lake, take a sleigh ride or have dinner at the gazebo right on the lake. With Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort just 7 miles away, you are minutes from incredible skiing and snowboarding.