10/10 Excellent
Melanie M.
26 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
perfect stay
Melanie M.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
The Trapper Creek Guest House - Shell, Wy, at the foot of Big Horn Mountains.
Photo gallery for The Trapper Creek Guest House - Shell, Wy, at the foot of Big Horn Mountains.
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Shell, WY
- Shell Falls17 min drive
- Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite28 min drive
- Big Horn National Forest Visitor's Center57 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Bathroom 3
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
About this property
The Trapper Creek Guest House - Shell, Wy, at the foot of Big Horn Mountains.
History Captured in Wyoming Vacation Paradise
The Trapper Guest House is part of the historic Trapper Ranch, established in 1896 and located in the hamlet of Shell, Wyoming – East of Yellowstone National Park and Cody, at the foot of the little known Big Horn Mountains and National Forest. At 4200 feet, The Trapper Ranch is surrounded by breathtaking scenery in all directions. This area was first settled by pioneers in The Shell Valley and home to one of the first guest ranches in the area where famous travelers like Owen Wister, Teddy Roosevelt, Hemmingway, NC Wyeth, Julian Huxley (founder of WWF) and others vacationed. The Guest House is 3-bedroom log cottage build in 1928 and renovated in 2014. The pristine Trapper Creek runs miles through the property and next to The Guest House.
Enjoy the peace of small-town life, with the beauty of 650,000 acres of public lands as your back yard. For families traveling with ATV's, you can drive directly out from the Guest House onto miles and miles of trails leading into the Bighorn mountains. Nearby, you can enjoy fly-fishing and we would be happy to recommend our favorite local guides! We do also have a few stocked ponds on the property for your self-guided enjoyment. Watch the mountains begin to glow from the comfort of your front porch chair, as the sun rises and sets over the Bighorns. There's plenty of wildlife to see on our property, including mule deer, pronghorns, birds, and more. You might even catch a glimpse of The Hideout Herd of horses, as guests set off for their daily trail rides in the area!
Gas & Groceries can be found in Greybull, just a 20-minute drive away. For minor essentials, or a great lunch and cup of coffee you can head to the local Shell Store; or enjoy a beverage at the beautiful Shell Bar, which is open Weds-Saturday evenings. In a town of 74 people, every place feels like family.
For Paleontology and dinosaur lovers, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is about 10 minutes away, visit the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, or The Bighorn Basin GeoScience Center and Greybull Museum in the nearby town of Greybull, WY; just a 20-minute drive. This area is rich with history! Don't forget to stop by the Medicine Wheel, or just take a scenic drive on the Bighorn Scenic Byway (Hwy 14), and stop at the many overlooks along the way; with numerous hiking trails available!
The town of Cody, WY is only 1 hour West of Shell; and holds the title of the "Rodeo Capitol of the World"! Enjoy the Cody Nite Rodeo, which runs 7 days a week from June 1st to August 31st. There's plenty of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife as well.
There is no shortage of amazing memories to be made, with the Trapper Creek Guest House as your home base for your vacation to the Bighorn Mountains. Welcome to Wyoming!
The Trapper Guest House is part of the historic Trapper Ranch, established in 1896 and located in the hamlet of Shell, Wyoming – East of Yellowstone National Park and Cody, at the foot of the little known Big Horn Mountains and National Forest. At 4200 feet, The Trapper Ranch is surrounded by breathtaking scenery in all directions. This area was first settled by pioneers in The Shell Valley and home to one of the first guest ranches in the area where famous travelers like Owen Wister, Teddy Roosevelt, Hemmingway, NC Wyeth, Julian Huxley (founder of WWF) and others vacationed. The Guest House is 3-bedroom log cottage build in 1928 and renovated in 2014. The pristine Trapper Creek runs miles through the property and next to The Guest House.
Enjoy the peace of small-town life, with the beauty of 650,000 acres of public lands as your back yard. For families traveling with ATV's, you can drive directly out from the Guest House onto miles and miles of trails leading into the Bighorn mountains. Nearby, you can enjoy fly-fishing and we would be happy to recommend our favorite local guides! We do also have a few stocked ponds on the property for your self-guided enjoyment. Watch the mountains begin to glow from the comfort of your front porch chair, as the sun rises and sets over the Bighorns. There's plenty of wildlife to see on our property, including mule deer, pronghorns, birds, and more. You might even catch a glimpse of The Hideout Herd of horses, as guests set off for their daily trail rides in the area!
Gas & Groceries can be found in Greybull, just a 20-minute drive away. For minor essentials, or a great lunch and cup of coffee you can head to the local Shell Store; or enjoy a beverage at the beautiful Shell Bar, which is open Weds-Saturday evenings. In a town of 74 people, every place feels like family.
For Paleontology and dinosaur lovers, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is about 10 minutes away, visit the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, or The Bighorn Basin GeoScience Center and Greybull Museum in the nearby town of Greybull, WY; just a 20-minute drive. This area is rich with history! Don't forget to stop by the Medicine Wheel, or just take a scenic drive on the Bighorn Scenic Byway (Hwy 14), and stop at the many overlooks along the way; with numerous hiking trails available!
The town of Cody, WY is only 1 hour West of Shell; and holds the title of the "Rodeo Capitol of the World"! Enjoy the Cody Nite Rodeo, which runs 7 days a week from June 1st to August 31st. There's plenty of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife as well.
There is no shortage of amazing memories to be made, with the Trapper Creek Guest House as your home base for your vacation to the Bighorn Mountains. Welcome to Wyoming!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Mountain view
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9.6 out of 10, (9 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 3–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Guests can Self-Check Out by 11 a.m. at your own convenience. No need to stop by The Hideout, just leave the door unlocked and ensure all keys are hung back up. Send us a VRBO message when you go.
Please clear all perishable food items to ensure they do not attract mice. All trash must be put in the outdoor trashcan provided, and close the lid. Wash dishes/start the dishwasher.
Do not worry about washing any towels or linens. Our wonderful housekeeping staff will wash and sanitize them between every guest.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
About the area
Shell
Located in Shell, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bighorn National Forest and Shell Falls, while Greybull Museum and Bighorn Basin GeoScience Center are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Shell, WY
What's nearby
- Bighorn National Forest - 7 min drive - 10.2 km
- Shell Falls - 17 min drive - 20.3 km
- Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting - 23 min drive - 33.9 km
- Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite - 28 min drive - 20.3 km
- Big Horn National Forest Visitor's Center - 57 min drive - 63.3 km
Restaurants
- Hideout - 6 min drive
- The Fossil Rock Tavern - 3 min walk
- Antler Inn - 3 min walk
- Fırın Bonaffee - 6 min walk
- Wagonwheel Restaurant & Lounge - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Lisa M.
22 Jul 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Cabin
Lisa M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Christine W.
3 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family wedding
Christine W.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kristen N.
17 Jul 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous Wyoming cabin
Kristen N.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Richard S.
31 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Big Horn Basin
Richard S.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Michael M.
4 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect view
Michael M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
tammy b.
25 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stop over
tammy b.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
8 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect get-away
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Ryan B.
30 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
Ryan B.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Amber K.
15 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amber K.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
don o.
11 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
UTV riding
don o.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Bridget O.
1 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heaven in Wyoming
Bridget O.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
About the host
Your host
My wife and I are Belgians who moved to Wyoming in 2007 together with our two twin sons of 13 at the time. After years working an International Corporate career we moved to Shell Wyoming to manage the guest ranch owned by the family. In the meantime we own the nearby The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch and The Trapper Creek Ranch. We live on The Trapper Creek Ranch property near The Guest House. Over the years we renovated the property and added and equestrian infrastructure. During some weeks the ranch is used as our Horsemanship Training & Clinic Center conducting clinic weeks limited to 4 participants only. The participants also use and stay in The Guest House. The rest of the year a growing number of travelers exploring the area with or without horses use The Guest House to vacation. The same cleaning & maintenance staff who take care of The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch also take care of The Trapper Guest House. The Hideout is an upscale riding ranch limited to 25 travelers from around the world.
Why they chose this property
The property is located in a beautiful and unique setting. Very peaceful and quite. No light pollution, which means you will see many stars. There is plenty of wildlife in the area and spectacular views. It is a safe place. The property is almost entirely surrounded by public land. The Guest House dates from 1930 and was constructed by the Wyeth family who owned Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and was one of the two guest houses they added for their friends and family to stay. The owners live in the main lodge, which is the only example of American Art & Craft architecture. The Guest House was renovated in 2014 but still offers the feeling of an old style log home. The wooden floors are not all straight and will make squeaky noises when walking on them. We love sitting on the porch looking a Needle Rock, the red sandstone Chugwater formation that dominates the views. We care and love what we do!
What makes this property unique
Great location with million dollar views in all directions. The owners live on the property and really care about the property. Ideal location to explore the Shell area, The Big Horn Mountains and Big Horn National Forest or take a trip to Cody. Cody is located at the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park approx. 1.15 hour drive from the ranch.
For hikers and mountain bikers there are endless trails to explore in the area. For horseback riders travelling with their own horses, there are two arenas, a round pen, 8 overnight pens and a tack shop. We can provide hay from the surrounding fields.
For hikers and mountain bikers there are endless trails to explore in the area. For horseback riders travelling with their own horses, there are two arenas, a round pen, 8 overnight pens and a tack shop. We can provide hay from the surrounding fields.
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