Ranchlands is excited to formally open the 80,000-acre Paintrock Canyon Ranch in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming. Guests will immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike, and experience the natural world in this unique landscape. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers, and chairs. A private chef prepares meals and incorporates Ranchlands beef, local produce, and dairy whenever possible. Ranch Vacations are 5-nights and Pack Trips are 7-nights. The season runs from May to September. Ranchlands has been offering stays on their ranches in Colorado, Zapata Ranch, and Chico Basin Ranch for the past 24 years, and Paintrock brings together the best of those operations.
“The goal is for guests at the Paintrock Canyon Ranch to leave with a deep understanding of the rich history of the area and the important role that ranching plays in restoring our natural resources while exploring nooks and crannies that only a few people have ever seen,” said Duke Phillips III, Founder of Ranchlands.
The Paintrock Canyon Ranch headquarters is located at the western base of the Bighorn Mountains. The ranch’s range extends toward Cloud Peak, the highest mountain in the Bighorns, and is characterized by creeks, springs, meadows, and canyon walls reaching thousands of feet above. The terrain changes from deep orange and burgundy sandstone hills to monolithic rock formations to high mountain meadows, pine forests and lakes.
“It is a stark contrast to the Chico Basin and Zapata Ranches and is teeming with rich populations of elk, deer, turkey, and bobcat,” said Phillips III. “Paintrock Creek, the largest aquifer coming from the Bighorns, is home to some of the best trout fly fishing in northern Wyoming.”
Ranch Vacations include five nights on the ranch and four days of riding amongst the varying ecosystems Paintrock Canyon Ranch has to offer. Activities include taking a long canter to the top of Lumen Canyon or Courthouse Rock, spending the afternoon learning about the 2,000-year-old Native American petroglyphs at the Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, or fly fishing in one of the many fishing holes near camp.
The 7-night Pack Trips allow guests to explore the Paintrock Canyon Ranch before heading into the backcountry of the Bighorn National Forest on horseback. Mountain camp is simple but comfortable, based out of backpacking tents but complete with a hot shower and meals prepared by a private chef over a campfire.
“Days will be spent visiting surrounding lakes, hiking, and riding miles of trails, and riding out to the Ranchlands cow camp to spend the day with the ranch team,” said Phillips III. “Evenings will be spent around the fire with new friends under a carpet of stars.”
