Horse Packing Trips

Explore Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness

A Montana horse packing trip is one of the most unique experiences in the west. We want you to experience an exceptional Montana vacation with the convenience of horseback. From the time you get checked in at Choteau, we take care of all the critical details to ensure your trip comes off without a hitch. Your journey with us into Montana’s famed Bob Marshall Wilderness will take you into country that is simply magnificent, but only accessible by riding trail horses or hiking. It is as remote as it is beautiful. Many hidden adventures await you along the trail and at the evening’s campsite.

The Bob Marshall is huge – larger than several eastern states! We never tire of exploring this wilderness and can’t wait to show you some of our favorite places (the vast meadows of the Sun River, the rugged canyons of the Flathead River, and the towering cliffs of the Chinese Wall on the Continental Divide). To get you started, look at some of the great photos from our guests and staff in the summer photo gallery.

So, get away from the daily grind, disconnect yourself, and let us show you why everyone falls in love with “The Bob”!

Belled Packstock being Wrangled in at Gates Park

Wrangling Horses Gates Park

"To me, the roar of a mountain stream mingled with the bells of a pack train is grander music than all the string or brass bands in the world".... Charles M. Russell

We have several carefully crafted trip itineraries emphasizing popular wilderness activities on your horse packing adventure.  Regardless of the type or destination of the horse packing trip, each will provide the same attention to detail and service consistency.  Among the great attributes you'll notice on your trip:

  • Gentle horses to move you from each campsite and who are eager for you to bring them a horse "cookie"
  • Reliable mule train to safely pack your gear along the mountain trails
  • Diverse meals prepared by camp cooks working from a fully stocked mountain kitchen
  • Comfortable sleeping quarters in private guest tents, with one couple per tent or if you travel solo, you'll have your own tent
  • Guides and horse packing teams deeply familiar with the wilderness and all the things needed to give you an exceptional trip
  • A range of activities that focus on the things that brought you out this way - sightseeing, fly fishing, star gazing, and a great staff focused on you
  • Authentic western hospitality and a shared vision of your trip across all the staff
  • Well repaired riding and camping equipment
  • A commitment to safety and fun for your journey through the Bob

Chinese Wall

Chinese Wall Montana

 

Mule Deer

Mule Deer

Big Horn Sheep

Big Horn Sheep

Mountain Goats

Mountain Goats

Wildlife and Birds

Each wilderness pack trip has the opportunity to encounter a number of animals and birds who call this country home for at least part of the year.  Many big game species (elk, deer, sheep) winter on the transition area between the plains and the Rockies. They begin their migration from their winter grounds in early spring, as soon as the snow gives way to enough grass to support them as they move to the mountain valleys and higher. By early summer they are moving again to the higher alpine meadows to catch the fresh feed and to avoid the flies and mosquitoes. They'll summer in the highest areas until the fall snows pressure them to successively lower country. The larger prey species (mountain lion, wolf, bear) mostly follow the game animals. Moose, mountain goats, and wolverines live in the mountains year round. On any given horse packing trip, there are opportunities to see these animals in their natural habitat. You may also encounter birds including birds of prey like hawks, falcons, osprey, owls, golden eagles, and bald eagles. There are also uncountable numbers of mountain grouse and other migratory birds.

Horseback Riding

We get around the wilderness on the best mountain horses you're going to find. Trail riding gives you a relaxed way to get from one great campsite to the next. The various horse packing trip itineraries are focused on your interests and activities. The horse trail riding varies in duration and vigor depending on the trip. If you prefer a lot of trail riding, we recommend the Chinese Wall or Flathead River pack trips as they cover greater distances and visit more campsites. Shorter trips to the Gates Park or one of our other base camps allow you to venture into nearby activities by taking day rides, hikes or fishing the river. The opportunities are limited only by your imagination and interests. Whichever trip you select, you can be confident in well-maintained gear and a trusted equine friend to accompany you on your Montana horse pack adventure!

 

Taking a horse riding break on the trail

Wilderness Fishing

Fishing the remote rivers and streams of the Bob Marshall is an unparalleled experience.  This is where many young fishermen first get "hooked" on fishing, and as well where more seasoned fishermen find that exceptional experience.  Check out the wealth of information on our fishing trips page.  Regardless of where you are on the experience level of fly fishing, you'll no doubt find that the Bob Marshall waters are a different than most anywhere else in the world.  The majority of our guests prefer to fly fish, and for the dry fly fisherman there is no parallel to the action offered on these waters.  However, the spin and lure fisherman will find it just as active.  Whatever your preference, you'll return to camp exhausted and exhilarated with the day's fishing action.

 

Beautiful day on the river

Nice Fish North Fork Sun

Photography and Adventure

Amazing mountain lakes

Mountain Lake

 

 

There are many hidden treasures awaiting your discovery on an A Lazy H wilderness horse packing trip.  It may be a historical site, or a scenic vista of solitude speaking only to you. Or it may be a rigorous ride and hike to a remote fire lookout tower. Or a ride to a distant site offering spectacular views of the vast uncharted mountain valleys. Riding along the base of the Chinese Wall ranks at the top of any day, and several trips bring you close to the Wall for a day or longer. You can get some great ideas of the spectacular scenery in our photo gallery. For the photographer, you will find innumerable opportunities to capture wild and scenic images. The pictures on our website are all from our amazing guests or our staff. We'd love to see your photos up here too!

Hidden Waterfall

Mountain Waterfall

Riding under the Chinese Wall

Horse Riding Vacation along Chinese Wall

Gateway Gorge Riders

Gateway Gorge Riders

 

About

A Lazy H Outfitters is a family business operated by the Haas family. Al, Sally, and Joe Haas have been taking guests into the mountains for decades. Our passion is providing enjoyable and high quality adventures.

 

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