Accommodations & Meals

Inspired by the majestic beauty and rich history of the region, lodging at the ranch is where rusticity meets luxury. Choose from a wide range of Wyoming lodging options, including luxury cabins, splendid lodge rooms, and spacious log cabin suites.

Three distinct properties all with dedicated staff.  Choose from:

Option 1:  Ideal for families

The luxury ranch accommodations are inspired by the design and architecture of the original homestead built on the ranch, founded in 1884. Log cabins and lodges outfitted with modern amenities and lavish accents deliver the ultimate in comfort and provide a rustically elegant setting for an unforgettable luxury ranch vacation. Every design detail, from cowhide leather chairs to inlaid buffalo nickels, has been chosen to accentuate the spirit of the West and enliven your stay.

Option 2: Ideal for dedicated sportsman’s luxury camp set along the French river.

If you’re a passionate outdoorsman, welcome to pure heaven, born of generations of the finest sporting heritage. Whether looking for a solo escape or a weekend fly fishing or hunting getaway with passionate sporting friends or family, only 12 guests will have exclusive access to the ultra-secluded Sportsmen’s Club.  Offering four private luxury log cabins, a ‘Man Cave’ clubhouse perched on the banks of French Creek, you’ll enjoy supremely private access to the breathtaking remote Wyoming wilderness and the notable sporting experiences it affords.

The Clubhouse features plush relaxed living comforts, a dining room and great room, stocked bar and refreshments, billiards, large screen TV, book collection and outdoor dining, patios and firepit. Four luxuriously-appointed cabins are inspired by the natural rugged beauty of Wyoming’s high mountain desert landscape, offering the ideal retreat after a day spent in the great outdoors.  Additional private luxury lodging available in the River Bend guest house which increases total French Creek group capacity to 24 guests.

Option 3:  Ideal for couples

Accommodations at the Homestead are found in a collection of nine historically restored luxury cabin residences and suites with 12 total bedrooms for a maximum of 27 guests. A “Rent the Homestead” reservation of the entire property allows complete exclusivity and the opportunity for children to experience this otherwise adults-only collection of luxury cabins and suites in Wyoming.

Ideal for intimate group gatherings, the two luxury cabin residences feature a two- or three-bedroom layout with kitchen facilities, a spacious living area, and two or three bathrooms. Meanwhile, the restored luxury cabin suites offer the perfect romantic cottage setting, ideal for couples enjoying a honeymoon, anniversary, or vow renewal. Some cabin suites are equipped with a private fireplace and a creekside deck.

Dining:

Whether it’s a smoked brisket, roasted rack of lamb or a whole smoked suckling pig, the chef does everything with a little bit of a ranch twist to it, and always takes into account any special dietary needs from guests.

Dining experiences are exemplified by a variety of unique venues. Rustic and refined, dining will be one of the most memorable parts of your stay.

Fishing

Private fly fishing waters provide over 20 miles of exclusive access on the North Platte and Encampment River, as well as Brush Creek and French Creek.

20 Miles for guided trout river trips: 

The crystalline waters of the North Platte River watershed in Saratoga, Wyoming are celebrated as some of the most revered freestone waters  for fly fishing in Wyoming. Between the various rivers on the ranches and nearby you have the pleasure of enjoying over 20 miles of pristine, exclusive private water access by way of rafts, drift boats, or wading. Flowing beautifully through broad canyons and sloping valleys, this river is one of the most iconic fly fishing destinations in North America.

Providing one guide for every two guests, you’ll receive attentive, personalized service, whether you prefer detailed instruction or advice on how to maximize your time on these storied fishing waters. With over 40 years of combined experience, guides are familiar with every aspect of Wyoming fly fishing.

On ranch private waters:

Enjoy fly fishing on idyllic private waters of the ranch creek as it meanders through the property. Leading environmental design firm, Walsh Environmental, provides ongoing stream enhancement, restoration and trout habitat support as part of our ongoing sustainability plan. From casting lessons to guided wading, the creek offers excellent holding water for brown trout and brook trout under a canopy of towering cottonwood trees.

Off ranch fly fishing trips: June through September

They offer both wade and float fishing on private waters throughout the North Platte River valley, on rivers that course through canyons, open ranch land, forested areas and towering cottonwood groves. Trip lengths range from half-day to full-day excursions, with most of the fishing done from our low-side drift boats. Access to several freestone rivers is dependent on snow melt and rainfall, so guides can recommend the ideal section based on current conditions during your stay.

As a rule, floating is usually best from June through September. They also offer wade trips on some of the best water on the Upper North Platte. Depending on flows, wade fishing is usually the best way for anglers to really work a specific section of the water.

We catch and release using only barbless flies. Runoff peaks happen during late May and early June. Our best time of year is usually late June or July, and late august through October. Classic small western trout stream with rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Many methods of fly fishing can be utilized from dry flies to streamers.

Hunting

This luxury outfitter is a low impact, fair chase big game hunting and premiere fly fishing operation on over 30,000 acres of private ground in the heart of the Platte River Valley of south central Wyoming. Bordering the famed Medicine Bow National Forest “Snowy Range,” the area’s spectacular habitat includes tree-lined riparian creek and river bottoms, vast native hay meadows, rocky, big draws covered in sagebrush and pine timber patches, and aspen groves on hillsides and mountain slopes.

Bird Hunting: August through October

Embark on an exciting pheasant or waterfowl hunt in Wyoming led by professional bird dog trainers and the outfitting team. From a classic walking hunt to a multi-challenge Tower Shoot or European style Cliff Shoot, you’ll enjoy an exciting day in the field, along with the chance to see some of the best Labrador retrievers, spaniels, pointers or English setters in Wyoming go into action, retrieving your downed birds.

Walk up Bird hunting – Journey  into the vast private Wyoming landscape for a wingshooting adventure taking you across both meadowlands and high desert. All hunts are fully outfitted and guided and consist of 1-4 people, at least one guide and a variety of dogs. There are no limits and there is the possibility of a mixed bag of Pheasant, Hungarian partridge, Chukar and Quail. You will be walking over uneven terrain for about three hours. Note: Double barrel guns are utilized on this hunt.

Cliff Driven Hunts – Based on the Scottish and English traditions of driven hunts, they offer fast-paced and challenging cliff driven shoots. “Beaters” push droves of birds off natural cliff barriers where they take flight overhead of awaiting hunters. Each hunter is paired with a loader and is strategically placed to get lots of shooting. Hunters will be cycled through different stations to get various difficulty shots. Seasoned shooters often look for the difficult “high” shots to test their shot gunning abilities. These hunts require a minimum of eight hunters. You can expect a mixed bag of Pheasants, Hungarian Partridge, and Chukar.

Wingshooting Golf – Wingshooting Golf is an entertaining shooting addition to traditional bird hunting offered, with two different 20-station courses set up in  rolling meadows and sage brush valleys. Each course can accommodate four hunters at a time and each station offers a variety of shots ranging in difficulty. Typically teams of two compete against each other and alternate between stations. Guides keep track of shots fired and birds hit, making for a competitive and fun edge. This is great for beginner and expert shooters alike.

Waterfowl Shoot –

Imagine yourself peering through a heavily brushed blind as the sun begins to rise and the world awakens. The decoys begin to appear in the pre-dawn light and whistling wings are heard overhead. A lab sits by your side, eagerly looking into the sky for the morning’s first flight of ducks to light into the decoys. The only words spoken, after a few soft calls from your guide are…Take ‘em!

South Central Wyoming is a unique hidden escape with lots to offer for waterfowl hunting; the area is on the far western edge of the Central Flyway, which brings a few migratory birds through the area. The majority of the birds being pursued are local birds. The North Platte River, warm water sloughs and ponds along the Encampment River, and vast hay meadows throughout the ranch attract both roosting and feeding waterfowl. All hunts are conducted on private lands that are scouted and managed for your success. They supply top of the line decoys, well-trained labs, shotguns, shells, waders, and anything else you could possibly need. All you have to do is show up. They strictly hunt decoyed birds supplying optimum close-in shooting opportunities. Follow up your morning duck hunt with a fly fishing adventure or an upland walk up hunt for an unforgettable day afield.

Big Game Hunting: 

All operations are carried out sustainably to minimize impact to the resident wildlife. The ranches they hunt are not leased; they exclusively own and manage all of their properties internally with the success of our sportsmen and women in mind. Day to day operations year-round are done so to minimize the effect on our local wildlife. Guides are knowledgeable of the area and the quality of animals living on the ranch. Quality optics are an essential piece of equipment when hunting with here, you will spend a bulk of our time glassing the areas looking for the mature quality animal to pursue. Both archery and rifle hunts are offered for all species.

Wyoming is a draw state but we will assist you with the process.  Mountain lion tags are sold over the counter.

Activities

Numerous activities such as:

• Horseback trail riding for every level
• Cattle drives and specialty riding
• Instruction and wrangling activities
• Luxury spa
• Sporting clays – 8 stations shoot
• Skeet course
• Archery – 3 D courses
• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• ATV adventures
• Guided ranger tours
• Ropes Course
• Zip lines
• Rock climbing walls
• Indoor sports and lawn games
• Old Baldy golf course
• Yoga and fitness
• Snow skiing
• Snow shoeing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowboarding
• Cross country skiing
• Ice fishing
• Winter horse drawn sleigh
• Farm tour
• Distillery
• Brewery
• Green house
• Bakery
• Ropes course
• Glamping – a highlight!  Stay in your own private Yurt for a night with a private chef and firepit with fun activities!
• Yoga
• Lil’ Wranglers camp style activities for younger children from 4 years to 8 years

Length of Stay / Itinerary

Your length of stay is totally up to you! Most guest enjoy a 4 night or more stay.

Travel Details & Location

The ranch is located about 20 minutes outside Saratoga, Wyoming in the famed Platte River Valley between the towering peaks of the Sierra Madre mountain range and the scenic splendor of Medicine Bow National Forest.

The best commercial airport options are Denver, CO (DIA) or Laramie, WY (LAR). Private planes can fly into Shively Field Airport (SAA) in Saratoga, WY which has an 8,800’ runway where the lodge provides complimentary shuttle service.

Location in relation to nearby cities:

• Cheyenne, WY (CYS) – 130 miles 2.25 Hours
• Denver, CO (DIA) – 240 miles 3.30-4 Hours
• Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) – 326 miles 5.50 Hours
• Laramie, WY (LAR) – 75 miles 1.25 Hours
• Rapid City, SD (RAP) – 370 miles 6.45 Hours
• Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – 334 miles 5 Hours
• Saratoga, WY (SAA) – 13 miles 20 minutes
• Steamboat/Hayden, CO – (HDN) 126 miles 2 Hours
• Vail/Eagle, CO (EGE) – 203 miles 3.5 Hours

Internet & Communications

Excellent wifi is available in the lodges. Cell services are available however there could be remote areas of the ranch where cell service will be limited.

Rates

Pricing on request

Call for updated pricing

Trip Insurance & Cancellation Info

Trip insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment on this trip. We will assist you with trip insurance upon booking. See links at the bottom of this page for the two providers we suggest for our clients.

Family Expeditions, LLC confirmation and refund policy:

If your trip is more than 90 days out from date of departure, a 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your reservation and must be received within 10 days of booking to confirm your dates. All trips must be paid in full at least 90 days prior to the departure date. If your trip date is within 90 days, FULL payment for the trip is required. All payments to Family Expeditions are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your trip, we will do everything in our power to assist you in finding a suitable substitute or transferring your dates per the lodge/providers/government requirements. Trip insurance protects your investment!