Overview
The year round Bar W Guest Ranch on Spencer Lake emphasizes the Western way of life and makes sure to welcome all guests with a sincere Montana hospitality. They want the time you spend with them to be relaxing, comfortable and a great experience – one that will last a lifetime. It is easy to get there – it’s leaving that’s hard.
The Bar W is surrounded by 2,900 acres of state land and over four million acres between the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests and is an idyllic piece of paradise located just 3.5 miles west of the quaint but vibrant town of Whitefish, Montana (thought of as the next Aspen). Known as the “Gateway to Glacier National Park”, Whitefish is at the center of a year round recreational playground in northwest Montana hosting Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort.
And then there’s the Bar W - just a five-minute drive down the road from Whitefish.
Bar W lies at the base of Spencer Mountain, between two pine-covered ridges on Spencer Lake. The ranch itself consists of a 6,200-square-foot lodge that blends elegance with Western informality, indoor and outdoor horseback riding arenas, 30 stalls, a barn and an entertainment area with a sunken bar, fireplace and a sitting area with incredibly inviting leather love seats and couches. In the surrounding countryside, you’ll see mountains and rolling ridges in all directions, helping to make the Bar W a true Montana getaway just minutes away from great restaurants, shops, and nightlife - whether it is theatre, rodeos, or dancing two step – you’re covered.
Vacation packages are American style and range from three to six day stays at the ranch. You’ll enjoy delicious food, great accommodations, and a friendly staff. Essentially you will have the run of the ranch to explore and experience.
Bar W is also available for special occasions such as weddings, reunions and corporate retreats. If you just want to stay for a night or the weekend, give them a call and if they have an opening – you’re in. Beginning each Thanksgiving, winter vacation packages are available.
During the warmer months when Montana comes alive, the ranch’s horseback riding program is the main focus. The experienced staff, trained horses, and the assorted and beautiful terrain riders traverse, all make for an unmatched riding experience. You’ll ride in the mountains, over the foothills, and across the open prairies of Big Sky Country, where you begin to recognize the names such as Tally Lake, Kootenai, Flathead, Farm-to-Market, Two Medicine and more. In addition, enjoy the riding events that take place in the indoor and outdoor arenas such as barrel racing, team penning and sorting, and roping. Bar W offers riding lessons for beginners and, for those more experienced riders, advanced lessons to improve your horsemanship. You'll feel reborn! You can fish, hike, mountain bike, view all sorts of wildlife (moose, bear, coyotes, elk, deer, turkey, foxes, eagles, and more) right out the back door.
Guests at the Bar W Guest Ranch also can choose from a number of other exciting spring, summer, and fall activities. Glacier National Park, affectionately referred to as the “Crown Jewel of the Continent", is just 23 miles from Whitefish. For boating, fishing, and sailing there is the ranch’s lake, Spencer Lake, or Whitefish Lake just two miles away. In addition, Flathead Lake, the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi, is just 30 miles down the road - not to mention the numerous rivers and streams all around. The Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort is just seven miles away, with gondola rides, mountain biking, the walk in the trees, all sorts of festivals and more. There are nine tremendous golf courses within 45 miles of the Bar W, with Whitefish Lake Golf Course, a world-class 36-hole course, 1.5 miles east of the ranch. They are just minutes from tremendous whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning and more.
During the winter months, when the hush falls over the mountains with the dusting of snow, horseback riding is still a focus on the trails and in the Bar W indoor arena riding for pleasure or working on your horsemanship skills. There is also downhill and cross country skiing and all kinds of other winter activities at Big Mountain, just seven miles away. Or, cross country ski right off the property on 2,900 acres of State Lands. There is also a four-mile trail at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course 1.5 miles away. Additional activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hiking, ice fishing and more. For the more adventurous skier, there is the back country skiing - make your own tracks at Stryker Ridge and Stryker Peak.
Whether it is summer or winter the Bar W is Montana at its best. Let the countryside envelope you as you take in the sights, breath the air, and imagine a life without laptops, cell phones, faxes, e-mails, or palm pilots - just horses, cattle, mountains, grass, your cowboy and cowgirl compadres and you!
Past Guests Share Their Experiences ...
Oki, NasKuni. Stah-nah-tah-be? Nee-stoo-wah stik-sti-kay-its-stah-tahbee. Ee-toon-u-pee. Nee-stoo-wah soo-wats-akuee-na-mah-kee.
(Hello, my friend. How are you? I am a Blackfoot Indian from Browning, Montana. I am Feather Pipe Woman.)
My family and I really enjoyed our stay here – We wish you all the best from the great Blackfeet Nation. Dianna Arnoux & Family
Bar W Thank you very much! Wonderful hospitality! I felt like a special guest the whole ten days! - Larry
Thank you – great place – hope to visit again. Dave – Thanks again for dinner. Regards to Janet, Phil, and Larry. -Steve F.
Thank you for an incredible adventure. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to come back again! Sincerely - The Melnick Family and the Marmetschke Family
Cathy and Ben Wheatley with two children, Sydney (9), and Cathryn (7), arrived from Austin, Texas, for their first trip to this corner of the country. We love it! God Bless! P.S. Thanks to Darla, Krista, and Hank! They are wonderful!
The Patrick Family from Orange Park, Florida – first time in Montana! Love the Ranch – every one is so hospitable and the views are spectacular! God Bless! P.S. Hank is the man! Look forward to seeing him on the rodeo circuit.
We had a wonderful time! This was our first trip to Montana and we absolutely loved it. The Bar W Ranch and The Road to the Sun were definitely the highlights of our trip. We enjoyed the horse back riding, the great hospitality, and The views of the Bar W. Just wished we had a couple of more days in Whitefish, but we will be back next summer and will stop longer for sure. We want to ride in Glacier next time. Thanks again for the memories. The Pierson family, Sugar Land Texas
Seasonal Rates & Info
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Weekly Rates |
Daily Rates |
 Warm Season |
$1,475.00 - $3,050.00 per person
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$75.00 - $300.00 per person
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| Winter |
$905.00 - $2,210.00 per person
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$65.00 - $250.00 per person
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* Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.
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Affiliations
- Flathead Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
- Dude Rancher's Association
- Montana Dude Rancher's Association
- Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Bigfork Chamber of Commerce
- Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce
- Glacier Country
Payments Accepted
- American Express
- Cash
- Certified Check
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- Discover
- MasterCard
- Personal Checks
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- Traveler's Checks
- Visa
- Wire Transfer
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Other Travel Offerings
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