Double Spear Ranch Experience

This ranching experience is very popular and located in the heart of the Crow Indian Reservation, and is surrounded by Western history. Time moves slowly here and many things have remained unchanged for 200 years from the original days of the pioneers.

300 mother cows are run on 5000 acres that still show the ruts of the old Bozeman Trail. If still alive, Plenty Coups, the Crow Chief who became the chief of all Indian tribes, and Will James, the famous cowboy artist and author, who rode the hills with Grandpa Blackmore and chased wild mustangs, would be neighbors today.

From the ranch headquarters, you can view most of the ranch, which extends to the mountain top. On the ranch, every beautiful season has its own special work waiting. In early spring, there is calving. When the snow melts and wildflowers bloom, it will be branding time. In summer there are tall grass, cowboy camp-outs and cattle to move. Later, when the air is crisp and leaves turn golden, the roundups begin.

You will have your own cow horse, and will be horseback most days. There is plenty of cattle work , including gathering, roundups, cattle drives, brandings and doctoring. There is feeding and other regular chores - and occasional days off haying & fencing.

There will be campfires, pack trips, and overnight campouts (not always offered) - up in the Pryor Mountains, and sometimes up in the Castle Rock Gap, where the Indian legends says the "little people" live.

There is beautiful scenery and wildlife on the ranch, and plenty of time for you to just get on your horse and ride. You may want to do some target shooting. If you want a relaxing lazy vacation, there are less demanding activities that anyone can enjoy. This year we will have a large riding arena, which will allow for some brushing up on your Western skills. You may want to learn to rope, or get in on some natural horsemanship techniques of a "horse whisperer"(riding and training). Here they are practiced and you can learn them, too!. We try to have a ranch guest rodeos as well. (not always available)

Accommodations are modest, simple and clean. There are a couple of guest bedrooms in the main Ranch house itself, others are located in the orginal bunkhouse next door, and some are in cabins, all rooms haved shared bathroom facilities with single or queensize beds. The ranch also has a shower house for men and for women. The ranch actually has more space but chooses not to fill all beds so that guests experience a nice atmosphere.

Good cowboy style home cooking is served up 3 times a day, and after your day on the ranch there is nothing better than returning to a good meal in the evening. Due to the fact that all meals are home cooked the menu will change daily and offer traditional food at times. These are hearty meals.

You may want to do some target shooting - or if you want a relaxing lazy vacation, there are less demanding activities that anyone can enjoy. The large riding arena will allow for some brushing up on your Western skills. You may want to learn to rope, or get in on some natural horsemanship techniques of a "horse whisperer"(riding and training). Here they are practiced and you can learn them, too!

Not far from the ranch is Chief Plenty Coups State Park and Museum, Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Range, Custer Battlefield, and swimming, boating and fishing at Yellowtail Dam and Bighorn Lake. The ranch cowboys usually end up going into town for supplies once a week and you are welcome to join them.

Why not join this ranching experience, and enjoy a really great cowboy vacation.