CIRCLE BAR GUEST RANCH
Utica, Montana
A HISTORIC GUEST RANCH EXPERIENCE ON MONTANA’S JUDITH RIVER
The Circle Bar Ranch is a historic guest ranch that dates back to the 1800s in central Montana. The 520acre guest ranch sits at the base of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Guests can explore the mountains by horseback, and enjoy fishing, hiking, shooting, archery, and other activities while staying in historic accommodations. Explore the surrounding area of the Judith River Headwaters and the Little Belt Mountains and ride where western artist Charlie Russell once rode. At 5000 feet in elevation, the Circle Bar enjoys the best of Montana’s weather with a host of activities to enjoy.
Circle Bar Guest Ranch
RANCH HISTORY
The Circle Bar Ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Native Americans who used it as a hunting ground. By the late 1800s, the United States of America claimed primary ownership of the area and men began staking out their claim on the land. The ranch assumed the name “S Lazy 4 Bar” in 1890—one of the earliest brands in Montana.
The land later became the Middle Fork Cattle Company and was used to buy, sell and raise cattle and horses. The business eventually developed into a hunting and recreation business and in 1904 the owners procured a hotel license, as they planned to serve meals and become a guest facility. In 1920 the ranch took on the new brand and name of Circle Bar Ranch.
CHARLES MARION RUSSELL
Charles Marion Russell came to Montana in 1880 to learn to be a cowboy — and that he did. But it was his passion to capture his experiences in paint, wax and ink that created the artistic legacy he passed onto the world. His love of Montana and the life he observed shaped his art and his personal philosophy. His art is first and foremost that of a storyteller, and it was informed by his remarkable ability to capture the personalities and events of his time and place in the West.
The C.M. Russell Auto Tour uses Russell’s art to tell the story and history of the Judith Basin on an interactive driving tour that passes through the Circle Bar Ranch.
Circle Bar Guest Ranch
LODGING
Lodging at the Circle Bar ranges from lodge rooms to free-standing historic log cabins, or the large, well-equipped Ranch House.
HISTORIC CABINS
Our historic cabins offer spectacular views of the ranch and surrounding landscape and some feature fireplaces, living areas and wet bars depending on the selected cabin.
BUFFALO ROOMS
Attached to the main lodge are three additional rooms for guests called the Buffalo Rooms that are ideal for vacationing couples.
RANCH HOUSE
For larger groups or families, our Ranch House is the perfect fit. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and comfortably sleeps eight—great for a Montana family vacation.
STAY IN THE HISTORIC GUEST
CABINS
Circle Bar Guest Ranch
ADVENTURES
The Circle Bar Ranch offers a wide range of activities from archery and shooting to swimming and hiking.
The ranch neighbors Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest and offers varied landscapes to explore on horseback, and opportunities to fish for trout in cascading streams or hike to see the bountiful wildlife.
Horseback riding is what the ranch is known for: Lope across Montana pastures; ride sturdy horses up to the mountains, or stay in-ranch to learn how to sort cattle.
HORSEBACK RIDING
CATTLE DRIVE RIDES
GUIDED UTV TOURS
SPORT SHOOTING
HIKING
FISHING ARCHERY
RELAXING
LOSE YOURSELF IN BIG SKY COUNTRY
Circle Bar Guest Ranch
DINING
Gather in the Lodge dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start your day with homemade breakfast classics: pancakes and waffles; biscuits and gravy; breakfast burritos, with lighter, continental style options also available. Lunch will fuel you up for an afternoon of adventure.
For dinner, head up to the Lodge and dine on steak, pork chops, pastas, fresh trout and more—with a roaring fire in the wood-burning fireplace on chilly evenings. If you have any special requests, diets or allergies, let us know in advance and our chefs promise to take great care of you.
WWW.CIRCLEBARRANCH.COM