When choosing a dude/guest ranch vacation, there tends to be some compromises especially for families and groups of friends but also for partners and couples. Some would like to spend 24hours on their horse, some would like to ride occasionally and some just prefer to do other things.

While we will always try to introduce non-riding partners to horseback riding using our low stress AH Horsemanship techniques; we also offer a variety of other activities for adults and kids.

This page outlines the non-riding activities there are to enjoy at The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch during your stay. If you have ideas in mind of what you would like to do and you do not see it on this page, please let us know and we will try to make it happen.

Fishing and Fly-Fishing

Located at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains, home to the Big Horn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness area, this Big Horn Mountain Working & Riding Guest Ranch offers some of the best trout fly fishing in the area.

You can cast to native cutthroat, rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Full-day or over-night guided fishing trips can be arranged.  The Shell Creek runs through The Hideout property and Trapper Creek runs through the Trapper Ranch property and a large section of our private property in The Trapper Canyon. We have three spring-fed, stocked fishing ponds.

Higher up in the mountains and wilderness there are plenty of lakes and streams to explore. These areas are very peaceful & quiet and you may not see another fisherman during your time in these areas. Unlike the area’s immediately bordering Yellowstone National Park and the bigger Yellowstone Eco-System area’s there are no grizzlies in the Big Horn Mountains, so you do not have to worry about hidden bear eyes watching and waiting to eat your catch.

Experienced Fly-Fishing guide on staff

We have an experienced, local fly-fishing guide and instructor on staff. He will be happy to take you out and teach you the art of fly-fishing or, for those more experienced, take you to hidden streams and lakes in the mountains.

Trapshooting

Guests of The Hideout have access to an excellent on-premises trap shooting facility.  At their leisure, guests can test their sharp shooting skills on clay targets shot up into the air.  We have choice between12- and 20-gauge Beretta shotguns. Several of our wranglers are fire-arms instructors and make sure that you are in a safe and informational manner. 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight stays in the High Country

Depending on the dynamics of the week, and weather depending, we do offer overnight stays at our mountain lodge. We must have a minimum amount of guests who would like to participate. We often organize overnight stays for families and groups at our Upper Hideout Lodge, located at 8600 feet, or in lodges that we partner with spread across The Big Horn Mountains.

 

Call us for overnight stays in the mountains or talk to our office staff on arrival.

Dinosaur and fossil hunting

Dinosaur Tracks

The Red Gulch track site contains thousands of rare Middle Jurassic age dinosaur tracks embedded in limestone. Located on public land near Shell, Wyoming, this site covers 40 acres set-aside by the U.S. government's Bureau of Land Management.

The tracks at this site were laid approximately 167 million years ago by dinosaurs that may have been similar to the "raptors" depicted in the movie Jurassic Park.  The tracks are preserved in limestone, in an area that was once a beach that fringed the Sundance Sea. The tracks were discovered in 1997 and since then thousands more have been found at nearby sites.

Dinosaur dig sites

This area is not only world-renowned for its dig sites but for the rare dinosaur species that can be found in this area. Depending on the paleontologists working, and the time of the season, we can work to arrange for you, or your kids, to spend a day digging up bones. It is amazing how kids, who are often impatient and have short attention spans, enjoy digging for hours concentrating on their task.

Mountain Biking & Hiking

Our unique location in the Big Horn Mountains offers a rarely see diversity of terrain and scenery for mountain bikers.  It boasts superb mountain biking and hiking opportunities. With the proximity of canyons like White Creek, Trapper Creek, and Shell Creek; the upcountry of Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness Area you'll never run out of interesting terrain to explore.

We can guide you on trails that are an appropriate match, depending on your ambition level, physical condition, and map-reading skills. Call us ahead of time so we can arrange for appropriate bikes.

If you would like to hike with a group instead of riding, or have combined horseback riding / hike trips please let us know. We will be happy to make it happen.

For the very experienced outdoorsmen and women who are in superb physical condition we co-ordinate with local experienced hikers and mountain / road bikers who are specialists in these skills and know the area inside and out.

Kids who do not always want to ride……..

During the summer months (as of mid-June, July until mid-August) we welcome families with kids. However, not all members of the family are necessarily into riding, and not all kids, and especially little boys, want to be on a horse all day.
We have wranglers and staff members who have experience coming up with interesting activities for young, adventure seeking guests.
Floating the Shell Creek, building dams, fishing, learning about horses and livestock 4x4 tours, visit the ranch, participating in ranch chores, and learning the basics of wilderness cooking, make a fire and other fun things are all on the list of things that can be arranged to participate in.
*It should be noted that the Hideout does not have a children’s program, however during weeks where we have families with group of children we will work to gear the week to make sure that all family members enjoy their vacation. As mentioned earlier, we treat children as young adults.

4x4 Scenic Tours in The Big Horn Mountains

During the summer season, when the mountain trails are open, we take out guests on a regular basis to explore The Big Horn Mountains lakes, scenery and high country. Usually we pack a nice picnic with wine, cheese, and fruit  to enjoy at one of the many beautiful spots. This little initiative has become pretty popular over the last couple of years, especially on Thursdays when some of the riding muscles are starting to make themselves known.
The Hideout has 2 off-road vehicles available for these trips. Our popular Red Dragon, a 1993 heavy duty Suburban, and a red 2010 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon boasting a serious winch for the heavy pulling, are the two options available depending on the number of people and terrain being covered.
Our main guide for these excursions is Peter, who is filled with information on the Big Horn Mountains, wildlife, ranching, plants, forests and history.
Don’t forget your camera on these tours so that you can show off your pictures to those who were out riding! During these tours you cover terrain and areas that are too far away on horseback so there is sure to be some jealousy among your riding companions.

Customized big family or group vacations

More and more families or groups of friends ask to rent out The Hideout for their own and build a customized program fitting their needs. We love those requests as it challenges our creative minds to make these weeks just unforgettable. Please call us and share your ideas for a customized dream vacation at The Hideout. A minimum of 20 participants is needed to rent out the ranch for exclusively for your group during the high season months. During shoulder seasons we can work with smaller groups.

Cody Rodeo and local Rodeo’s

Cody, Wyoming, is the Rodeo Capital of the World -- home of the Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Rodeo and Cody Nite Rodeo!

From June through August – 90 rodeos are held during the summer, one per day. You can buy tickets to PBR (Professional Bull Riding), PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and other association rodeos. The Cody Stampede is considered one of rodeo’s crown jewels. Cody Stampede is held annually, during the week of 4th of July.

Guided tours to Yellowstone, BigHornCanyon, BigHornNational Forest,…

Take a tour guided by professionals, and specialists, who know these areas. For professional tours, we work with Bob Richard and his company Grubsteak Expeditions located in Cody, WY. Bob is a third generation photographer, wildlife specialist, guide, lecturer and historian who follows the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He and his team provide an exceptional learning experience no matter what tour you take. www.grubsteaktours.com

Authentic Horsemanship Clinics & Training

During the off-season we train, start and trouble shoot horses for outside owners. We also organize horsemanship, riding and colt starting clinics. These clinics combine a healthy mix of theory, observation, one-on-one sessions and of course hands on riding experience.

Participation is limited to eight people. This keeps the experience personal and ensures that all participants leave with as much knowledge as possible. We realize the importance of constant learning and invest in the continuous training for our staff by brining in outside trainers and sending our trainers to various clinics.

When it comes to horses and learning about horses, the AH concept and philosophy is open minded and interested in everything regarding horses as long as it is authentic, honest and respectful for rider and horse.

Culinary Initiatives

Challenge the knowledge of our 2 culinary schooled chefs at both The Hideout and our Trapper Creek Lodge & Supper Club (www.trapper-creek-guest-ranch.com). If you are tired horseback riding one day (or a couple days) they will be happy to teach you some culinary secrets.

Hunting & Game watching

We see trophy deer and elk, fox, coyote, lynx, big horn sheep, mountain lion, black bear, and moose.  Many efforts have been made to enhance their habitats to ensure the stability of game herds on the ranch properties. Hunting is one of the tools used to accomplish this goal. Every management decision made on the ranch takes our hunting habitats into consideration. We seek to enhance this important resource so everyone can enjoy it in different ways.

Because of this approach we see more and more wildlife coming back to these areas where we try to limit pressure on their habitat.

To assure an excellent hunting trip customized to your individual desires, we partner with Powder Horn Outfitters, based out of Sheridan, Wyoming. Please contact Powder Horn Outfitters for further information.

Year-round activities – Winter Riding and Snow-Fun

Call us for Off-Season Activities and Winter-Riding.
Some of the off-season activities are snowmobiling (500 miles of groomed trails), cross-country skiing, culinary classes, chocolate making, art & music, horse training and Yellowstone guided visits.