Resorts and Luxury Cabins

If you don’t want to stay in a motel on Darby’s Main Street or pitch your tent in a Forest Service campground [1], head a few miles up the West Fork Road to one of Montana’s most exclusive resorts, owned by the CEO of Intel.

Perched above the valley, the Triple Creek Guest Ranch (5551 West Fork Rd., 406/821-4664, www.triplecreekranch.com [2], $650–2,495 per couple per night includes all meals, house wine, and ranch activities) offers accommodations in luxurious cabins and houses, gourmet meals, and fine wine. There are hot tubs aplenty, a well-kept heated swimming pool, tennis courts, horseback riding, fishing (all gear provided), and hiking trails heading out from the ranch property. Many guests come here to sample the various activities rather than concentrate strictly on fishing or riding, and an activities director helps them plan their days.

Those who can’t quite leave their work (and with these high-powered guests, that’s pretty common) should note that, although there’s no cell phone coverage here, there are phones in the room and Wi-Fi in the lodge. Although no minimum stay is imposed, there’s enough to keep most people busy for nearly a week. The Triple Creek is very much geared toward couples and is an adults-only place; no children under 16 are allowed.

If those prices aren’t in your budget but you hanker for a relaxing Montana mountain getaway, consider the Nez Percé Ranch (7206 Nez Perce Rd., Darby, 406/349-2100, www.nezperceranch.com [3], $1,200 per week). This comfortable resort offers self-catering accommodations (bring your own food and cook it yourself) along the Bitterroot River in three large log cabins. The ranch sits on 100 forested acres with a half-mile of private fishing access. Each cabin has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a porch with a barbecue. If there are openings, you can reserve a cabin for a three-night minimum at $225 per night.

Rye Creek Lodge (458 Rye Creek Rd., 406/821-3366 or 888/821-3366, www.ryecreeklodge.com [4], $250–500) is a luxury cabin resort south of Darby. Each cabin has a private hot tub, a kitchen, and laundry facilities; most have two bedrooms.