The Nine Quarter Circle is far away in the sense of both place and time. It’s a Montana dude ranch that looks and operates just as it did 100 years ago. Owned by the Kelsey family for over 75 years, and in its third generation of management, the ranch is steeped in tradition and family values. Its rhythm is marked by generations of horses born and trained here, of generations of families returning again and again. Nestled in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, our ranch is unique landscape full of native flora and fauna. For an authentic Montana Dude Ranch experience, this is your place. You’ll come to feel it is uniquely your own.
Good time to go
We are open mid-June through mid-September which are the warmest months in Montana. There is no bad time to visit the ranch, but you can experience different aspects of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem depending on when you join us. The temperature in June and early July is still climbing toward summer's peak, but it's prime time for wildflowers wildlife sightings. July and August is a bit warmer and better for fishing. September starts to cool off again with warmer days and cooler evenings, and the crispness of the autumn air is feeling you cannot get enough of--hearing elk bugling is pretty exciting, too!
Children at the Ranch
Great for children aged 3 and over
Our children’s program is top-notch in our industry. The Small Fries, ages 0-5, have a ranch babysitter who takes care of them during the morning and afternoon rides so parents can enjoy some time in the saddle.
Our Rough Rider program (ages 6-9) is one of the ranch's gems. Rough riders have the dedicated attention of our kiddie wrangler, and they go on two trail rides each day. It is a wonderful opportunity to get comfortable in the saddle, gain some skills on horseback, and make friends to last a lifetime.
The Kiddie Wrangler and Babysitter eat lunch and dinner with their children so you are free to join the adults at Happy Hour and dinner. The kids all go on an “all-day” picnic one day during the week.
The older children, 10-17, are thrilled with our daily rides and lightly structured activities; they eat lunch and dinner with their various age groups. Given our location, the ranch is the perfect place for kids to explore. There are endless things to do outside, and paretns can rest-assured they're in a safe environment.
Minimum age children can ride
6 and over
Activities
hiking, picnics, outdoor play area, cookouts
Games
board games, horseshoes, volleyball
Baby Sitting
From age 0 to 5. Hourly cost $included in rate.
Baby Sitting Provided By
The ranch babysitter watches kiddos 0-5 years old during the morning and afternoon rides (9-11 AM, 2-4 PM), eats lunch with them (12-12:45 PM), and watched kiddos during happy hour and adult dinner (5:30-7:15). Kids eat a little earlier than adults at 5:45.
Environmental & Social Practices
Environment
We have a strong recycling program at the ranch, and we strive to conserve water in housekeeping practices.
Conservation
The Kelsey family has a long history of conservation in the Taylor Fork. Howard Kelsey worked hard from the late 1950s-1980s to achieve Wilderness protection for the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The peaks you can see as you're approaching the ranch, the Taylor Peaks, are protected in part by Howard Kelsey's work.
Developers also had their sights on the Taylor Fork at one time and the Kelsey family fought hard in the 1990s to make sure this place remained as open space.
Today, we have a strong recycling program at the ranch. Some of our land is also held under conservation easements.