Montana’s Resort at Paws Up Offers a Country-Style Family Vacation

The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT, features the state's largest equestrian center, plenty of outdoor activities year-round, and more!

By Judy Koutsky March 20, 2019

Parents looking for a luxury active vacation to take during their kids’ spring break should check out the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT. The resort is located approximately 40 minutes from Missoula, but once at the resort, you’ll feel like you’re hours from the nearest town. The 37,000 acres of land, the mountains as a backdrop, and the free-roaming bison makes a vacation here very different from the usual spring break spot.

The accommodations and cuisine are nice enough to appeal to adults, while the kids will be thrilled with all the activity options.

What to Do at the Resort at Paws Up

Spring is a good time to visit the ranch—it’s not as crowded as summer, but there are still plenty of things to do. Depending on the weather, families can still partake in a variety of winter activities including dog sledding, tubing, skijoring (think cross country skiing, but pulled by a horse), sleigh rides, horseback riding (in the snow!), snow mobiling, ice-skating, and more. Plus, the ranch puts together special activities during a few select weeks in the spring including kid’s cooking classes and photography classes.

When the weather warms up, there’s ATV, horseback riding, mountain biking, cattle drives, white-water rafting, archery and ropes courses, hiking, and more. With more than 40 activities to choose from, even the pickiest child will find something to enjoy.

skijoring resort at paws up — Skijoring at Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT

If horses are your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Paws Up boasts the largest privately-owned equestrian center in the state. At 72,000 square feet, the Saddle Club is spacious and includes a 29,000-square-foot riding arena, a 52-stall barn, and plenty of activities with the horses including private lessons, group rides, tours, and horse-care lessons.

Adults should be sure to book some time at the spa, where a variety of massages, body treatments, and facials can be had. They also have treatments for kids. Yogis will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful sun-light filled glass yoga studio.

If the parents want a bit of a break from the kids—and if the kids want to be with other kids—the Kids Corps of Discovery is a good option. It’s a year-round program, open seven days a week, that focuses on non-screen activities such as treehouse adventures, pony rides, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Healthy meals are served and qualified counselors will make sure the kids have a great time.

Accommodations at the Resort at Paws Up

In the Spring, the best options are the Big Timber Homes and the Meadow Homes. Big Timber Homes come in one-, two-, and three-bedrooms, up to two bathrooms, and the largest can sleep up to eight people. With a hot tub out front, a large porch, a fireplace, a full kitchen, and up to 2,430 square feet of place—these Big Sky country homes will instantly make families feel like they can spread out.

Meadow Homes are also a good for families. They are located closer to the village and can sleep up to four people—these homes all have two bedrooms and two baths. Washers and dryers can be found in both styles of home—which is a huge benefit for those traveling with kids, who can often go through many outfit changes each day.

In warmer weather, families can glamp in style in luxury tents complete with beds, flush toilets, and amazing views of the river.

So no matter which accommodation you choose, you and the kids will have a great time exploring Big Sky Country at Paws Up.