Ugh, very run down. Not ready for prime time for the cost. Dim lighting everywhere, swimming pool and hot tub were closed and dirty, the shower was barely adequate. Outlets didn’t work. No maid service. The rumpus room was filthy and the lighting was dim led bulbs. But the food was good, horses and riding were great, beautiful scenic trails, staff was great. Excursions to Yellowstone, rodeo and rafting were wonderful. Great location between Cody and Yellowstone.

EXCEPTIONAL, AUTHENTIC AND SUPER FRIENDLY! We loved our first adventure at Blackwater Creek Ranch in 2024 and made the choice to return in 2025. The very best recommendation and accolades we can give to the managers and staff of the Blackwater Creek Ranch is that our second visit somehow exceeded our amazing first visit!!!! Caitlyn and Ted provide exceptional management and guest service experience for everyone who stays at this historic ranch. John ensured that we and every guest at the ranch had the very best dining experience for every meal! The rest of the staff ensured that we had great accommodations and wonderful service throughout our stay! Justin and the wranglers: Madison, Brady, Saige and Janay ensure that each trail ride is a wonderful experience in the spectacular mountains and meadows of the ranch and the Shoshone National Forest. The meadows were in full bloom and the whispering winds in the Aspens were echoed by the rushing waters of the streams we crossed. Every day we rode past wildlife that call the forest home! Everyone who lives and works at the Blackwater Creek Ranch is super friendly! They made us smile and laugh and feel great every day!!!! We began each day before breakfast watching the “herd wrangle” as the horses galloped from their night time pasture to the main arena. It was great fun to watch and guess whether “Pancake and/or Waffle” would be the first to enter the main corral?! As always, our horses were well trained and healthy and energetic! The all-day trail ride, to the Monument honoring the 8 brave men who lost their lives on August 21, 1937 fighting the Blackwater Fire, is a truly memorable experience! On our final morning we rode up the mountain where Justin had hot coffee and a great campfire breakfast of orange juice, bacon, eggs, and burritos waiting for us! We enjoyed our meal, great sharing of stories and experiences and the very best early morning scenery we could ask for on our last day at the ranch. When we returned to the ranch after our final ride of the week no one wanted to depart. We wanted to say and have more great experiences. We will return again! We are thankful for the True Family and their dedication to providing us and others with the opportunity to visit and ride amazing and authentic True Collection guest ranches. 7 out of 5 stars!!!! Les and Barb

Be prepared to be awed! Pampered! Treated like family! I went for the horseback riding through the incredible mountains, there’s so much more to do! Whitewater rafting, skeet shooting, archery, tour of Yellowstone National Park. Just simply hiking & observing & absorbing the beautiful breathtaking scenery. The staff are very professional, take great care in your safety (this is bear country!) and ensure that you’ve everything you need. I do went to caution you, if you’re not experienced in riding in the mountains it is, can be, physically challenging. Be honest with yourself as there is altitude to contend with and steep mountain trails. Enjoy!

YELLOWSTONE POP UP RANCH AT BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH After riding at the Circle Bar Ranch, we chose to also spend several days and nights at the historic Blackwater Creek Ranch. This Pop-Up Ranch is a part of the True Ranch Collection’s efforts to restore the 1912 historic O. T. O. Dude Ranch. We are already looking forward to being future guests at O.T.O. Ranch. Blackwater Creek Ranch offers guests the opportunity to ride trails into the Shoshone National Forest and cross creeks and streams to discover why President Teddy Roosevelt declared this area “the most scenic 50 miles in the US!” We chose to spend the majority of our time riding on the trails to experience the secluded nature of this ranch on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Other guests had great fun whitewater rafting, shooting, fishing and touring Yellowstone. The manager, chef, bartender-host, wranglers and staff provide guests with great support and attention. We are grateful to each and every member of the team at Blackwater Creek Ranch! They made our stay at the ranch very, very special! The meals provided by Chef Michael were some of the best we have enjoyed at a dude ranch! He even prepared a trail lunch for one of our longer rides. We got to ride with Wrangler Ellen on a day when almost all other guests chose to go whitewater rafting. It was the most amazing and enjoyable riding experience at Blackwater Creek Ranch! Justin is the most experienced wrangler at Blackwater Creek Ranch. He guided us into the forest trails and helped us to understand the history of the ranch and the national forest region. The main lodge and dining room at the Blackwater Creek Ranch is impressive. We stayed in the Grizzly cabin which was large with two bedrooms, full bathroom and a fireplace. This Pop-Up Ranch is open until September 28th. If you are very lucky you will be a guest at the ranch this year! Staying at a Pop-Up Ranch is an opportunity to experience history today and to support the revitalization of history in the future!!!!! Several of the Blackwater Creek Ranch team, including Manager Michelle, will migrate south to the Kay El Bar Ranch in Arizona for the winter. We look forward to seeing all of them as we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome in 2025! YEE HAW!

We stayed 3 days/nights at the ranch. The support staff was great, very friendly, and helpful intermingling with the us and the guests. We enjoyed the happy hour each evening from 5 to 6 pm with drinks and some appetizers. The pool was not in operation during our stay which we were looking forward to enjoying during one of the hot days. We were not offered any activity concessions due to the pool and hot tub closure. Two of the three days breakfast was a minimal continental only with some mini muffins and cereal. We were looking forward to something heartier like eggs, toast, bacon etc. Our horseback ride was reduced from 1 1/2 to 1 hour to accommodate a couple of people playing archery later. We understand the ranch was taken over by a corporate entity this year. We're not sure how/if this changed the overall experience for the guests.