Bitterroot Ranch
1480 E Fork Rd, Dubois, WY 82513-9614
Full view
View all photos (191)191
Room & Suite (4)
Dining (3)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
#4 of 18 Specialty lodging in Dubois
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
The ranch is a 640-acre spread where the guests help with the fall cattle round-up.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Wifi
Restaurant
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Charming
Location
Contact
1480 E Fork Rd, Dubois, WY 82513-9614
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Dubois car hire
142Reviews2Q+A18Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 119
- 8
- 5
- 5
- 5
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
I always wanted to go to a dude ranch, and Bitterroot did not disappoint! My husband and I met his son, daughter-in-law and 11 year old granddaughter at the ranch. She was the best rider in our group and Mel and Hadley did a wonderful job matching each of us to the appropriate horse and the appropriate group given the variances in our riding abilities. It was a fabulous week. The cabin, meeting the other guests at meals and when we had wine and nibbles, the wranglers, the horses, the scenery - wow! Loved the stories Ross shared with us, and interacting with the cattle was fun. All was amazing, and so special meeting Bayard ! The lessons were great - transitioning from English is not so easy - and Hadley’s yoga class was a gift . It was an exceptional experience and one that our family will always cherish. We are thrilled to recommend Bitterroot! Every day offers new rides with breathtaking views and fun experiences along the way . Well organized and a spectacular herd.…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My wife and I have traveled all over the world to over 70 countries and our week at Bitterroot Ranch was incredible. The horseback riding was central to our experience but it was so much more to our time there. Bayard, Mel, Hadley, Ross, they're all great and they each made the whole experience truly unique adventurous, and fun. The countryside and the lodge, the energy the ranch hands bring with them...my wife is the main one who loves horses and ridings and still I told her it may have been the best vacation I've ever had. They also sponsor Equitours and we're conceding going on two of them next year!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We have been booking our international equestrian travel through Equitours for over a decade. Given the fact we are all horse owners and quick to trailer, travel and ride at any opportunity, I was reluctant to book a domestic experience here stateside. Fact is, I initially declined this trip with my fellow riding companions. Yet, an unexpected scenario found that I, along with my eleven year old daughter, were to be guests of Bitterroot Ranch. What a gift this turned out to be, it was a joy to meet the Fox family, live and in person after booking travel through their amazing company for sixteen years. Bayard was readily available for thoughtful conversation while Mel and Hadley were the daily faces executing flawless riding experiences for all. I cannot overstate the quality of the Fox herd. I was deeply impressed at the quantity and quality of all their mounts. They truly had something for everyone, the training time that had to be put into each of these mounts for such a superb experience is humbling and appreciated. My daughter took a group lesson with Hadley, at which time Hadley clearly busted through some barrier I was having with my daughter. I saw tremendous improvement in her riding after this instruction. I am forever in Hadley's debt for this special transition. I enjoyed speaking with each of the wranglers on the trail, learning their backstories which were varied and interesting. A great group!! Then we have the food . . . goodness, wow!! I ate it all, leaving no lid untouched. This was one of the best wide-ranging menus I have experienced thus far. Absolutely lovely, what a treat to have three wonderful meals such as these per day. In summary, Mel and Hadley do a spectacular job assigning you a group, their eyes miss nothing. The out and back rides were perfectly timed and yielded new and varied terrain each time. The staff were efficient and fully engaged. The food = delicious. The cabins, clean and cozy with the river lulling you to sleep each night.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
A dream come true! ain, I cannot thank the Foxes enough for an amazing week. The ranch, the horses, the wranglers, the lodge staff and ESPECIALLY the chef were spectacular! As a lifelong horse woman I can attest that I have never ridden finer more responsive horses. The care to separate the riders into appropriate groups and to make sure that everyone had a great time… It was amazing. And the opportunity to talk with 93-year-old ranch founder Byard was is a daily highlight. I learned so much from this week especially riding with ranch xo-owner Mel as well as discovering a love of moving (and sorting!) cows. Hadley and the Wranglers were supportive and unfailingly cheerful! And the views… Indescribably beautiful. There is nothing I would have changed about this experience, except perhaps if there had been a little more oxygen at 9000 feet ;-) of course I live at sea level so perhaps it was my bad! If you were thinking about taking a real ranch trip… Not a sanitized Disneyland version… Improving your riding skills and seeing apart of America that harkens back to a simpler time, this is the trip for you! I will be returning fall of next year for the cattle drive, and will be counting the days!…
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My best friend and I spent a week at Bitterroot ranch for their horseback riding and yoga retreat. It was an amazing time!!! Nature, de-stressing and lots of good food and wine! We are both experienced riders and do yoga at home regularly, so we were physically ready for this trip. The Fox family takes wonderful care of their horses, all of them were happy and energetic doing their jobs. Hadley does an incredible job helping match riders and horses of similar skill. Hadley and Mel run the barn and direct the wranglers seamlessly. Plus, Hadley, Richard and Tristan are just a joy to be around. We got to walk, trot and canter through some of the most beautiful scenery-everyday a different trail. The other portion of the day was yoga in the Yurt. Marc, the instructor, was so great!! His classes helped us, not only learn about the practice, but stretch and strengthen from our rides. It was a great balance of activities during the day. The meals served by Chef Leon everyday were fantastic! He served a wide variety of foods and the wine was always plentiful. All the kitchen staff were very accommodating to anything you needed. This trip was exactly what we were expecting- rustic, quiet, and stress free. If you love the outdoors, horses, and want to disconnect from all life's stress ....then this is the trip for you!!…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This is a great location and an excellent horseback riding ranch with a very hospitable staff, which accommodates all levels of riding experience. My son and I had a wonderful trip. It was a first horseback riding vacation for each of us. He was an experienced rider and I had just had 3 months of lessons. They accommodated us both, and by the end of the week I was on faster trot-canter rides with my son. They have over a hundred horses and both my son and I rode five different horses over the week. They are very good at choosing horses that fit each rider. None of the horses are lazy, all are happy to trot or canter when given the opportunity, and respond to a light touch. Interacting with the Fox family and the other guests during shared meals was a great part of the trip as well. New friendships were formed and it was hard to say goodbye. The food was very good and my plant-based (vegan) request was accommodated on all dinners and almost all lunches. The cabins were comfortable and clean, with a rustic touch. All of the buildings are log construction. If you want a great horseback riding trip in scenic Wyoming, up in the mountains where it gets pretty cold at night even in the summer, try Bitterroot Ranch. My son and I are definitely going back!…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: All the rooms are good
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
If you want a taste of the Wyoming mountains from the view of a horse, this is an authentic ranch adventure. Not for the beginner rider or out-of-shape person, you go on twice-daily two-hour trail rides, cover steep terrain and mountain streams, see magnificent scenery and have possible sightings of wild horses, antelope, rabbits and elk. The owners are experienced in matching you to the right horse. My 14 year old granddaughter and I each rode three different horses over the course of a week. All of the horses were lovely, though we each had a favorite. We went during summer cattle drive and were able to experience herding cows a couple of times, a real treat. The meals were excellent and included vegetarian options. The staff, from the kitchen to housekeeping to the wranglers (trail guides), was excellent and responsive; you just needed to request your needs. Best of all, we experienced wonderful camaraderie and support from other guests who came from all over the USA, UK, Netherlands and Australia. Hadley Fox was helpful in our booking, from providing information about transportation from the airport to answering all my questions; she is responsive, charming, hard-working and efficient. The cabins are rustic, but adequate. The Lodge is comfortable and beautiful and was a perfect meeting place before and after rides and meals. Proof of Covid vaccination was not required. Staff wore masks indoors, and we could eat meals outside.…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
If you're looking for a vacation where you can ride well-cared for horses every day amid gorgeous scenery, Bitterroot Ranch--located between the Absaroka and Wind River mountain ranges --is the place for you. The ranch is of the Rocky Mountains. The Fox family has enough friendly, capable staff to customize planned riding routes for each guest, including herding their rather exotic long-horned Highlanders. We spotted several bands of beautiful wild horses while riding on the adjacent Wind River Reservation, home to members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. You'll stay in comfortable, well-appointed cabins and enjoy three delicioius meals a day. Ranch-raised meats are excellent, and there are ample tasty choices for vegetarians--often provided by Bitterroot's large garden. The cocktail hour before dinner provides a nice opportunity to get to know the other interesting guests; we enjoyed guests from Canada, France, and Germany during our recent stay. Tip 1: If your riding is a little rusty, or you're not used to riding in "two-point position," invest in a few lessons before heading for the ranch. Tip 2: Even though the ranch is in the valley, it's still high--and rides take you even higher. I took meds along for altitude sickness; didn't need them, but I get out of breath when trotting and cantering for the first three days. Tip 3: While in Wyoming, you might want to explore nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Bitterroot this past September! This was my first time traveling alone, and as an active rider, I really wanted to plan a trip with a heavy-emphasis on riding. This trip absolutely fit the bill! There were two 2-3 hour rides per day with a few hours in between for lunch. I was actually not prepared for how physically exhausting that many hours in the saddle would be, but I had a wonderful time nonetheless. The rides consisted of walking, trotting, and cantering. We were instructed to post at the trot and two-point/hold mane at the canter. There were two groups during my stay, and I was in the more experienced group. Although both groups were actually cantering by the end of the week. I thought the rides were beautiful, fun, and challenging. They have a neat little cross country jumping course on the property, however I learned that they don’t use it so you won’t get an opportunity to jump it. I also really enjoyed all the horses I rode during the week. On the request form, I had just requested safe horses, and that’s what i got. My favorite was probably Sparrow! He was a cute little bay guy who I felt like I really vibed with. Most of the horses neck rein, but there are a few who are ridden in an english bridle. There are a lot of Arabian horses, but also quarter horses, drafts, mustangs, paints, ponies, and mixes. I was told that Mel handles all the horse assignments for the week, and she is very thoughtful about doing so. The accommodations are pretty rustic. When I first got to my cabin, there were lots of flies and gnats in there. There were also clear signs of rodent activity, including a dead mouse under the dresser. I was a little uneasy at first, but I ended up spraying down my bed and curtains with bug repellent and keeping any windows with tears in the screens closed, and that seemed to do the trick. I slept absolutely fine throughout the whole stay. The food was not bad, but I didn’t find it to be outstanding. I am a bit of a picky eater, but I definitely did not go to bed hungry. The menu is heavily meat-based, which was not ideal for me, but there were plenty of sides, salad, and of course dessert for me to enjoy. They beverages offered consist of lemonade, orange juice, tea, coffee, and wine. I mostly enjoyed the breakfast as they offered some amazing homemade baked goods throughout the week. The greek yogurt was also really delicious! A storm rolled in about midway through my stay, leading to a couple days of very heavy rain and less than ideal riding conditions although they will still take you out for a ride if you want to! I ended up taking a day off to check out Yellowstone and Grand Teton, which was amazing! I also spent another day in downtown Dubois with some new friends I had made at the ranch. That was also just a wonderful experience. Overall, Bitterroot Ranch was a dream vacation for me. I think the best part (besides the horses) was all the lovely and interesting people I met there. Being a solo traveler, I was worried the trip would be awkward, and it absolutely was not. I would recommend this place to anyone looking to experience a bit of beautiful Wyoming on horseback.…
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Wyoming is beautiful & Bitterroot as home & headquarters to Equitours is legendary but that is about the extent of Bitterroot Ranches’ appeal. I had an opportunity to visit Bitterroot last summer during the pandemic so it was quiet with only a handful of guests. During my stay, I found the owners, the Fox Family of Bitterroot rude, unacommodating, inflexible and inhospitable. First conversation upon my arrival with the owner Bayard, he inquired where I was from to which I replied ‘New York’ and he responded with ‘worst city in US, I could never live there’ infront of all the guests. The rooms were cold, mattresses uncomfortable, cabins spaced 10-15 min walk from the main ranch, you are truly in the wilderness (which at times felt unsafe with no locks on the doors). As a life long urbanite, I did not have experience starting a fire (this being my first ranch vacation) so I requested that a fire be started for me in my room which was freezing at night. Mel (Bayard Fox’s wife) shut down my request, gave me an incredulous look as if she couldnt believe that I didn’t know how to start a fire and said she could give me a ‘demonstration’ on how to start a fire in the main living room but they can’t do it for me in my room. The riding is extremely restrictive & regimented with sporadic canters which makes for a nose to tail trail riding experience (albeit one with gorgeous scenery) The food is subpar, buffet style. Mostly orientated towards heavy meat eaters, without many options for vegetarians or vegans. The saving grace were the wranglers who seemed to possess immense knowledge of the geo political history of the area/landscape & made for interesting conversations out on trails. Unfortunately, Bitterroot leverages it’s reputation via Equitours without any real inclination to serve its guests.…
Read more
Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
ALSO KNOWN AS
bitterroot dude ranch hotel dubois
LOCATION
United StatesWyomingDubois
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingBitterroot Ranch - UPDATED Prices, Reviews & Photos (Dubois, WY) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Bitterroot Ranch
Which popular attractions are close to Bitterroot Ranch?
Nearby attractions include Bitterroot Ranch (0.00 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Bitterroot Ranch?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, free parking, and kids activities.
What food & drink options are available at Bitterroot Ranch?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.