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Located in the northwest corner of Glacier National Park and 10 miles from the Canadian border, the Ranch is a private residence that sits at the edge of Big Prairie on the banks of the North Fork River, a designated wild and scenic river. Enjoy the comfort and convenience of your own cabin with spectacular mountain views in all directions and abundant wildlife. This section of Glacier is rustic and unspoiled as it is relatively undeveloped, meaning there are no paved roads or power lines for 35 miles. Due to our solar energy system, you can enjoy modern conveniences while getting far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. At the Ranch you can experience the true beauty and meaning of Big Sky country!
The North Fork is a designated Wild and Scenic River and from the cabin you can fish, wade, swim, hike and skip stones in the river. Hammocks are located in the trees overlooking the river, making it perfect for book reading and napping, and there is a fire pit and picnic table as well. Two horse-shoe pits invite evening competition.
The Ranch House, which is 1,500 square feet, has two bedrooms and one bath. One bedroom has a queen bed, while the bunk room has two bunk beds and sleeps four. The loft has a futon sofa which can be folded out to a double bed. The bathroom has two sinks, toilet, tub/shower and washer/dryer. The family room contains the kitchen, dining and living areas, which are open to the loft area above. Through the double french doors lies the covered deck, which is 1,000 square feet, with great views of Rainbow Mountain and the Livingston Range of the Continental Divide. The kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, microwave, double sink and pantry.
In addition to the Ranch House, we have additional guest buildings which can be combined with the Ranch House to accommodate larger groups, family reunions and gatherings. The guest cabin, which is 600 square feet, has a bathroom with shower/tub, a wood burning stove (WBS), couch, table and chairs and sleeps 4 in beds with a queen log bed downstairs and two twin beds in the loft. The covered porch offers sweeping views of the Livingston Range, looking north into Canada.
For larger parties, we will make available the owner’s River House (900 square feet), which is located above the large garage and sleeps 6. The River House offers a full kitchen, bathroom, living and dining room with WBS and separate bedroom with two bunk beds that sleeps 4. In an alcove, off the main living area, is a queen size log bed. There is a covered porch/balacony off the front with views of the mountains to the East and the river to the west.
You may add the Guest Cabin to the Ranch House rental and then you may add the River House but they must be added in this order. If you are planning a large family reunion please contact us to make arrangements.
There are many activities to choose from while at the Ranch. In the summer, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, swimming and sightseeing. In the winter time, you can cross country ski or snow-shoe in any direction or enjoy the local pastime such as burning firewood and reading books!
Two beautiful high mountain lakes are a short distance from the Ranch, they are Kintla Lake to the north and Bowman Lake to the south. No boat motors are allowed on Kintla, so it is the preferred choice for people wanting to canoe or kayak.
The Ranch caretaker has extensive knowledge of the river, lakes, Glacier Park and the Flathead Forest to the West and can help you plan excursions from the Ranch.
Three miles from the Ranch is the Polebridge Ranger Station and the western entrance to Glacier Park. Outside the Park, two miles further is the historic Polebridge Mercantile, which is listed in the register of National Historic Places. The Merc offers fresh baked bread and pastries, as well as coffee and sandwiches. You can purchase basic supplies you might have forgotten in town, as well as gas for the car. Next door, the Northern Lights Café offers great home cooked dinners and brunch on Sundays. Friday nights are pizza nights. Enjoy a micro-brewed beer, wine and cocktails and watch the sun set over the Whitefish Divide.
Of course, there is all of Glacier Park to enjoy including Going-To-The-Sun Road, Logan Pass, West Glacier, Many Glacier, St. Mary and Waterton Lake. There is whitewater rafting in West Glacier, along with horse stables and some shopping.
The Ranch is located approximately 50 miles (1.5 hours) from the Glacier Park Airport in Kalispell (FCA). Delta, Northwest and Horizon provide air service. Car rental service is available at the airport. A unique way to get to the cabin is by train. Amtrak offers the Empire Builder service from Portland, Seattle and Chicago to Whitefish. Please note that the gravel road that leads to Polebridge can be bouncy and dusty at certain times of the year. |
