Firehole Ranch

Strategically located on the secluded south shore of Hebgen Lake, 16 miles from West Yellowstone, Firehole Ranch is one of the West’s premier guest ranches, catering to discerning fly anglers and nature enthusiasts alike. Firehole Ranch is minutes from some of the world’s most renowned blue ribbon fisheries, including the Madison River, the Gallatin River, the waters of Yellowstone National Park, and the famed Henry’s Fork of the Snake. The 640-acre ranch boasts a wonderfully diverse fly fishing program, including numerous floats and walk and wade opportunities with seasoned local guides.

Since opening its doors in 1947 as a fly fishing guest ranch, Firehole Ranch has set a standard for rustic elegance and service. The ranch features ten private rooms in four duplex cabins and two standalone cabins overlooking the lake. Each room is complete with a porch and ensuite bathroom, standalone cabins are slightly larger with sitting rooms and fireplaces.

Firehole Ranch also has numerous additional activities for families including canoeing, swimming in the lake, mountain biking, and sightseeing in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Guests may choose to leave their vehicles on the north shore of Hebgen Lake and take a boat shuttle to the ranch property.

Firehole Ranch is rich with a diverse fly fishing collection of Montana waters. Anglers may enjoy a float and wade trip on the Madison River, a day on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake, and walk and wade opportunities on the upper Ruby River, Firehole River, Gibbon River, Gardner River, Gallatin River, Lamar River, Slough Creek and Soda Butte River. The Yellowstone River, Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake are also easily accessed from the lodge. For the angler looking for a more secluded trip, there are many other small streams, backcountry lakes, and overlooked and underfished waters of the greater Yellowstone region.

Anglers will fish two per guide, all flies and rental gear are included. Each morning ranch guests are ferried across Hebgen Lake where they are met by their guide for the day’s fly fishing. The ranch’s guide staff will tailor the day to accommodate anglers’ fly fishing requests. All guides are excellent teachers, and can provide a valuable day of fishing and instruction for novice and expert anglers alike. They also provide float tubes and pontoon boats for those who want to try their hand at some of the stillwater fly fishing the area has to offer.

Firehole Ranch hosts a maximum of 20 guests in six guest cabins. All cabins are unique and individually appointed. The small cabins are a single spacious room with a king bed or two twin beds, a small sitting area, many with a wood stove or fireplace, private bath, private back deck and shared front porch. The medium cabins are two rooms with a separate bedroom and living room, and all of the above amenities. The large cabins are also two rooms, are more spacious in size and entirely private. The medium and large cabins include a queen size sofa bed in the living room that can accommodate a third person in the cabin.

All cabins include a small refrigerator stocked with beverages, fresh ground local coffee, Aveda amenities and bathrobes. A welcome bottle of wine and treats will be found upon arrival, and wireless internet service is available in the Lodge. For those looking to stay in touch with the world, USA Today and Wall Street Journal are available daily. Laundry service is also available at a nominal charge.

After a rewarding day on the water with an expert guide, guests can relax with a cocktail in hand on the deck of the main lodge overlooking the lake. Dinner is served at a large table in the main dining room.

The day begins with a made to order breakfast with daily specials. Evening meals are preceded by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served in the main lodge and on the large outdoor deck facing Hebgen Lake. An outdoor barbecue is held one night each week and features grilled steaks, salmon, ribs, chicken, mussels, shrimp, homemade salads and desserts. A live band entertains the guests with traditional western folk music as they enjoy horseshoes, fly casting games and the beautiful view of Hebgen Lake and surrounding mountains.

Other activities include canoeing, hiking, mountain biking or taking day trips to Yellowstone National Park.

Firehole Ranch has canoes and mountain bikes for guests’ use. They also will arrange more adventurous guided hiking trips in Yellowstone National Park with one of the local outfitters specializing in back country nature hikes. Plenty of sightseeing opportunities are also available in Yellowstone National Park, the town of West Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Park.

Day 1: Arrive Firehole Ranch

Days 2 - 6: Full days of guided fishing

Day 7: Depart lodge

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $7,775
• 6 night/5 day package: $6,625
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,450
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,300
• 3 night/2 day package: $3,125

Included: Accommodations, meals at the ranch, all beverages including open bar, guided fishing, rods/reels, waders, tackle, flies, all ranch activities and gratuities for the ranch staff

Not included: Transfers to/from Bozeman, horseback riding, fly shop purchases, guide gratuities, fishing licenses, and a Montana accommodations tax

Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout

Season: June – Mid-September

Capacity: 20 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? The lodge is best suited for anglers who enjoy a rustic setting and socializing with other guests in the evenings. The lodge is located about 40 minutes away from West Yellowstone, most of the travel on a gravel road.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located on the shores of Hebgen Lake, about a 40-minute drive from West Yellowstone, MT.

How do I get there? Guests will fly into Bozeman, MT and rent a car to drive to the lodge, about a two and a half hour drive. Guests may also opt to fly into West Yellowstone, MT and can rent a car for the 40-minute drive to the lodge. About half of this drive will be done on a gravel road and 4-wheel drive is not required.

When should I go? Early July and mid to late September tend to be the best times to go as the days are warm and the evenings are still cool. July and August will see the most variety of dry fly options, however hopper season can last until mid-September.

How will I fish? It will be very common to fish with a dry dropper rig, and in August and September during the heat of the summer, using nymph rigs with an indicator will be common. In September, streamers can be effective both on the lake and in the rivers.

Anglers will fish two per guide. In the morning, anglers will take the pontoon from the dock across the lake to the boat ramp to meet their guides. Guides can then take guests to a number of different fishing venues.

Is there wade fishing? There is wade fishing on the Madison River, in Yellowstone National Park, and alpine lakes.

Where will I fish? There are a number of options for anglers to fish throughout the season including in Yellowstone National Park (walk and wade fishing only), the Madison River, the Henry’s Fork of the Snake, Hebgen Lake, Quake lake and hike-in alpine lakes. Float and walk and wade.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? It takes anywhere from 30-minutes to an hour and a half to reach the fishing grounds.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Brown trout and rainbow trout are most common, and cutthroat are common in many of the rivers in Yellowstone National Park. Whitefish and sucker fish are in some of these rivers and may also add to the day’s catch.

How many fish will I catch? This will vary greatly by season and fishing method, but anglers can expect five to ten fish each a day.

Will I see other anglers? There will be other anglers on the water, particularly in July and August. The most secluded fishing will be on the lakes or hike-in locations.

What are the guides like? The guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and dedicated. All guides live on site and are going to take anglers to the destinations that they think will be best given the conditions each day.

What are the physical demands? There are no physical demands required, although guests interested in hiking to fish will need to be prepared to hike 5 miles round trip at elevation.

Are there any special skills required? There are no special skills required, anglers of all skill sets are welcome.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has a small fly shop and can provide rods, reels, boots, waders, terminal tackle, and flies.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A 5-weight 9-foot rod will work well in all situations.

What are the top flies? Throughout the season the flies change often, guests should call before their trip for the best patterns.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? There are a number of different fishing locations, meaning guides of options if one particular river is experiencing poor fishing conditions. Guests should be prepared to fish in sun, rain, wind or snow.

What is a typical day like? Guests will eat in the dining area at 7:00 AM then will walk out to the dock to take the pontoon across the lake (less than 10 minutes) to meet the guides at the main boat ramp. From there, the guides will take guests to their fishing destination for the day. Anglers will break for lunch between noon and one, and will fish until 4:00 to 4:30 PM. Guides will have anglers back at the boat ramp to ferry back to the lodge at 5:00 PM. Cocktail hour begins at 6:30 PM followed by dinner at 7:30 PM.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The lodge has a laid back atmosphere with attentive staff. Guests may come and go from the main lodge at their leisure, and generally the atmosphere during cocktail hour is social. Once a week, the lodge will hold a BBQ outside with live music.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? There is always a manager on site and the owner, Lindy, is usually onsite if not nearby.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Guests will dine in the main lodge at a large dining table. Appetizers and cocktails will be served in the lounge area and on the deck.

What is the alcohol policy? Alcohol is included in your stay.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests stay in one of three types of cabins. The traditional cabins have either two twin beds or a king bed with ensuite bathroom. The Deluxe cabins have a separate bedroom with either two twin beds or a king bed, a sitting area, and ensuite bathroom. Luxury cabins have a similar layout to the deluxe rooms but are larger. In addition, luxury cabins are standalone buildings and are the farthest away from the main lodge, traditional and deluxe cabins are duplex style and share a back porch.

The accommodations are a short walk either in the grass or on the dirt road to the main lodge where meals are served. Single occupancy accommodations are available at an increased rate. Please call for details.

Is there internet and/or cell service? The cell service in this area can be spotty, Wifi is available in the lodge and the cabins.

Are there other activities? There are hikes in the area, as well as activities on Hebgen Lake such as kayak tours, canoeing and paddle boarding on Hebgen Lake, mountain biking, hiking, and tours in Yellowstone National Park. Park tours and lake tours are an additional fee. Guests may also choose to golf or whitewater raft in Big Sky, MT and should expect about an hour and half drive each way.

Are there any other expenses? Guests should plan on bringing cash for gratuities, state and park fishing licenses and passes, rental car expenses, and any tours in the park or on the lake they are interested in. Lake tours start at $90 per person for a 3-hour tour and Yellowstone National Park tours are $600 per vehicle.

Do I need a visa? You do not need a visa for this trip.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable and guests are encouraged to bring layers for cool mornings and evenings with an option for lighter clothes during the heat of the day. Rain and snow are a possibility in most months of the year. Wind can be an issue around fall, and in early summer there may be some mosquitos at boat ramps.