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Lowdown

  • Established

    1993. Guest ranch since 2000

  • Owner / Manager

    Zack and Patty Wirth

  • Tel

    14064655534

  • Open

    All year

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)*

    $365 - $420

  • Minimum Stay

    3 days

  • Maximum Guests

    22

  • Works with travel agents?

    No

  • Great For

    Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Solitude, Diverse scenery
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Experience Parelli Natural Horsemanship put to a purpose. Whether new to horses or highly experienced, you will have the opportunity to expand your skills. Learn to work cattle from the back of a horse, ride long trails or play at liberty in a round pen - we do it all. Because horses and riding are the center of what we do at the Rocking Z, extra activities are done in none-riding hours. Families love it here, because we can cater to what each individual needs. From the horse-crazy teens, to the excited novice, from playing pool or soaking in the hot tub, families make great memories here

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 0 and over

We tailor our children and teen activities to the individual. Over 12's are the same rate as adults, but 12 and unders have a staggered discount - please contact us with ages of your party for an accurate quote.

Activities

outdoor play area, We have kittens every summer, and they are well-loved and very gentle to play with!

Games

horseshoes, pool table

Baby Sitting

From age 0 to 10. Hourly cost $10.

Baby Sitting Provided By

We have a staff member available who is our childcare specialist here for the family.

Environmental & Social Practices

Conservation

This is the motto we live by. Ranching and farming culture reuses everything that it possibly can, from used horseshoes becoming bridle racks to old barn wood becoming beautiful picture frames; we reuse even the humblest of things. Here are a few of the things that we do in order to conserve both our finances and our environment.

Horse-Power, using our Team of Belgians for Feeding Hay

Solar-Paneled Movers for Irrigation

Pure Vegetable Oil for Running our Irrigation Pump

Bio-Diesel for Starting and Cleaning the Pump Engine

Hydroponic-Sprouted Barley Fodder for Horse-Feed

Ranch History

Zack Wirth grew up on the Rocking Z from the age of 8. At that time it was called the 7-bar, and his dad raised hay and cattle there. In 1993 Zack and Patty purchased the ranch from Zack's mother and moved their family onto the ranch. At that time, Zack was running his company 'Wirth Excavating' and was successful in the construction industry. Patty raised their children as well as raising cattle on the ranch from 1994 to 2000.

In 1999, Zack and Patty felt it was the right time for them to start on their dream of becoming a guest ranch. In March 2000, they poured the footings for the two guest buildings and in July, 2000 they welcomed their first guests. When they started the guest ranch we only had 18 horses, and in seventeen years have grown to needing a herd of over 60 horses. They have never looked back, and it is their new dream that the guest ranch which they have founded will be receiving guests into their great grandchildren's time.

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Ranch-style

  • Alcohol

    wine provided with dinner

  • Enjoy dining in

    dining room (casual attire)

  • Dietary restrictions catered for

    lactose intolerant, vegetarians, Gluten free, other

Our lodge is relaxed, cozy and inviting as well as being always open - even at three a.m. when jet lag has you needing a brew, homecook, hearty meals, beer and wine included

Guest Favourites

  • Breakfast pancakes
  • Brisket that's been smoked for 24 hours served with barbecue-baked beans and cornbread
  • Mexican night with enchiladas or fajitas, corn on the cob and margaritas for the adults

Lowdown

  • Address

    2020 Chevallier Dr
    Wolf Creek
    Montana
    59648
    USA

  • Remote Location

    No

Nearest Town - Helena

Helena is situated 27 miles / 30 mins from the Ranch.

Ranch shuttle

If flying to us, we offer transfer services for free at select times on Sunday and Saturday and offer a transfer service at any other time for the price of $175 round-trip from Helena and $225 round-trip from Great Falls (price is per vehicle).

Nearest Airports

Helena (HLN), Helena

Distance

27 miles / 30 mins

Ranch shuttle

If flying to us, we offer transfer services for free at select times on Sunday and Saturday and offer a transfer service at any other time for the price of $175 round-trip from Helena and $225 round-trip from Great Falls (price is per vehicle).

Lowdown

  • Type of Riding

    Western Riding

  • Riding opportunities for

    Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced

  • Rides are grouped by

    Ability, Pace of Ride, Everyone rides together, Rides tailored to guest requests, Rides dictated by ranch work

  • Pace of ride

    Walk, Trot, Lope

  • Guest Horses

    75

Our Riding

Riding considerations

no riding experience needed

Why our riding stands out

  • Whether you want to run like the wind or enjoy a long leisurely ride across miles of stunning scenery, you can enjoy the level of difficulty and speed that’s right for you. The perfect horse to match your level of skill, fitness and even temperament is waiting. We at the Rocking Z pride ourselves on matching horses and people to the best of our ability so that both the horse and rider are happy and comfortable.
  • Try barrel racing, or riding bareback, or learn roll-backs and western-style moves. We even have a grasshopper cross-country course to play with.
  • We specialise in Pirelli-Style natural horsemanship: Natural Horsemanship means that every human effort is made to see things from the horse's point of view, treating a horse as though you are also one of the herd, and learning how to play the game of the pecking order and win.

Riding Lessons

When not riding out, we offer lessons and games near the ranch.  Try barrel racing, or riding bareback, or learn roll-backs and western-style moves.  We even have a grasshopper cross-country course to play with.

Details

lessons come with package

Location

in the arena

Natural Horsemanship Clinic

Clinician

Dave Ellis, Jody Grimm Ellis, Martin Black

Details

Clinics occur in the arena

Focuses on

Here at the Rocking Z, we practice Natural Horsemanship learned from the Parelli Foundation, Martin Black and Monty Foreman.  Parelli Natural Horsemanship has developed an incredible method of teaching Natural Horsemanship to people without leaving gaps.  The fundamentals are taught through Pat Parelli's Seven Games.  The first three games build rapport, and the last four games put that rapport to a purpose.  These games are taught on the ground and applied at all times around the horse, whether riding down the trail or starting a colt who's never been touched. Not only do we practice these skills, but we teach them to our guests so that everyone who comes to stay with us can experience what Natural Horsemanship is about.

We annually host clinics from 5* Parelli Professional Dave Ellis and 3* Parelli Professional Jody Grimm Ellis as well as Martin Black.  

 

Cattle work - pasture gathers

Interaction

Guests participate

Lowdown

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)*

    $365 - $420

  • Minimum Stay

    3 days

  • Style of accommodation

    Ranch rustic
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Rocking Z Guest Ranch can cater for up to 22 guests. Accommodation includes Cabins and Lodges. See below for details and indicative rates.

Cabin | En-suite

Rates (Per Person)*

Summer: $327 - $420
Winter: $265 - $358
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Minimum Stay

3 nights

Description

We offer large, en-suite rooms with views of the ranch and valley. Each room has a natural-gas fireplace, and a sitting area. The bathrooms have a shower/bath, with a  sink area just outside of the bathing area. The cabins are in two separate buildings, one  of which is handicapped accessible. 

 

Rooms

8

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

hair dryer, seating area, plush bathrobes, Disabled Accessible

Lodge | Single Room

Rates (Per Person)*

Summer: $327 - $420
Winter: $265 - $358
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Minimum Stay

3 nights

Description

This sweet single room opens up into the great room of the lodge. Just out your door there is an amazing view of the valley and mountains! In your room there is a view of the cliffs and yard. This small room has a lovely en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Rooms

1

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

hair dryer, plush bathrobes

Booking Policy

*The nightly rate varies between stay lengths, and so the listed rate is merely an average to use as a guide, particularly for custom length stays.

All Rates are for an All-Inclusive package

Rooms with Single Occupancy have a 20% supplement added, excepting in a lodge room which has no supplement.

Having three or four people together in a room reduces the rate by up to 4% per person.

Children 3 and under are free, but a supervisor is expected to supervise children under 4 at all times

All Prices are in American Dollars

The deposit is non-refundable for a group of 10 or more. Deposits are refunded 50% prior to 90 days before your vacation. Non-refundable deposits may be applied to a subsequent year's vacation. We highly recommend trip or vacation insurance for "last minute" medical or emergency cancellations. Insurance can be purchased at Travel Guard at 1-800-823-1300.

Included in your stay

meals, activities, lodging, Riding

Extras

Tax

Subject to a 2% Bed Tax by the State of Montana

Gratuity

15% is normal in Montana

Other

Transfers if they are outside of complementary times. Any rodeo or other admission/entrance fees.

Lowdown

  • You can borrow

    Cowboy hats, Cowboy boots, Riding helmets, Saddle bags, Rain coats

  • Communications

    Wireless Internet/Wifi, telephone, free long distance.

  • Cell Networks

    AT&T, verizon. T-Mobile.

Onsite

Shopping

We have a small gift-shop with branded items only - we are happy to take guests to town shopping when there is a need!

Outdoor Activities

sporting clays, wagon rides, bird watching, Shooting - trap / clays, Archery, Volleyball

Water based Activities

hot tub, Playing in the creek

Fishing & Wildlife

Fishing on offer

fly, stream, equipment available, guided non-inclusive, unguided

Wildlife

Mule and Whitetail Deer, Marmots, Elk, Coyotes, Eagles, Blue Herons, Sandhill Crane

Additional Services

Corporate Retreats

For groups of 20-30.

Please e-mail patty@rockingz.com, as weo offer small private retreats upon request and tailor them to requests!

Local Attractions

Gates of the Mountains

The Gates of the Mountains is a boating area along the Missouri River which flows through incredible limestone cliffs that are written of in the journals of explorers Lewis and Clark. They offer a boat tour through these cliffs, and tell passengers the history of the area while offering stunning views along the river.

Distance

7 miles / 15 mins

Ranch shuttle

Yes, $0

Highs

  • If you're looking for a ranch that specializes in Parelli Natural Horsemanship practices, you've come to the right place!
  • They practise Green Ranching and adopt a 'waste not, want not' philosophy, they reuse everything that they possibly can, from used horseshoes becoming bridle racks to old barn wood becoming beautiful picture frames; they reuse even the humblest of things.
  • They offer personalization, meaning that the daily schedule and activities are tailored to the needs of the day, not the same schedule, week after week all summer long. Keeping the horse's health as priority, they alter each day to best suit the group and the weather you wake up with! Let them know what you want from your day!
  • You can get involved with cattle herding and roping, cowboy-style!

Lows

  • The ranch operates on a day-to-day basis when it comes to riding and activities, so if you're looking for a tight daily activities and eating schedule, this may be a little too relaxed

Visitor Reviews

Dont just take our word for it, see what visitors like you say...

My kind of heaven!

Great vacation ! Nice rooms , great food, cold beer and warm hottub. Well trained horses for every level. I was no experienced rider the first time I was here, but I made it!! The Wirth`s make you feel like Family! Best holiday ever!

5 stars

You can find more reviews for Rocking Z Guest Ranch on TripAdvisor