Tucked into the untamed beauty of Montana’s Blackfoot Valley, Paws Up Montana has mastered the delicate art of balance: adventure and serenity, wilderness and refinement, ruggedness and sophistication. But what truly sets this iconic property apart is how effortlessly it caters to families — elevating a traditional vacation into an unforgettable experience steeped in luxury, nature, and connection.
Just thirty-five miles east of the Missoula airport and set on a sprawling 37,000 acre working cattle ranch, Paws Up is more than just a glamping getaway. With vast open skies, the meandering Blackfoot river and dense pines, it offers a fully immersive Western experience while delivering amenities and service that rival any top-tier resort. And the accolades prove it: Paws Up recently became the only glamping property in North America to be awarded two Michelin Keys, which recognizes the resort’s exceptional hospitality, culinary excellence, and impeccable design. Well deserved.
What makes Paws Up so extraordinary for families is the range of accommodations. From lavish tents to expansive timber homes and secluded estates, everyone can be sure to find their perfect blend of comfort and nature. The property boasts three-bedroom glamping tents, which are the only of their kind on the continent, to allow larger families to stay together while experiencing all the magic of Montana. These spacious dwellings come with en-suite bathrooms with heated floors and private decks overlooking the Blackfoot River or sweeping meadows. Personal camp butlers and chefs ensure that every detail from s’mores by the fire to elevated Montana-inspired dinners are seamlessly taken care of.
Adventure is the pinnacle of Paws Up, and with 70 outdoor experiences —the largest roster of any resort in North America — every family member can find their thrill. Grab your cowboy boots because days here can begin with a sunrise hot air balloon ride and end with a cattle drive at golden hour. In between, options range from fly fishing and ATV tours to archery, hiking, clay shooting, and even paintball in the forest. For younger guests, the Kids Adventure Club program introduces them to the Montana wilderness through scavenger hunts, geocaching, archery, wildlife education, and more allowing parents to enjoy an afternoon at the spa or guided wine tasting.
The culinary program at Paws Up is equally show-stopping as the landscape. Overseen by Executive Chef Sunny Jin, formerly of The French Laundry, the dining experience is a refined take on rustic, with locally sourced game, produce, and fish taking center stage. Chuckwagon dinners, hosted seasonally, feature fresh meat, vegetables, and most importantly huckleberry cobbler, are cooked to perfection over an open fire while the live music and the rushing waters of the Blackfoot River make the ambiance of the evening. Seasonal chuckwagon dinners offer an unforgettable feast, where dinner, and the star of the show—huckleberry cobbler—are cooked to perfection over an open flame. Live music, outdoor games, and the rushing Blackfoot waters make for an incredible ambience.
A stay at Paws Up is far more than a luxury escape — it’s a breath of fresh air and haven for memory-making where families can unplug and reconnect with nature without giving up the comforts we all want on a vacation. Whether roasting marshmallows under the stars, galloping through open pastures, or simply watching the sun dip below the beautiful Montana mountains, every moment here feels both exquisitely curated yet wildly free. pawsup.com