Sage Lodge

Located on the banks of the Yellowstone River and just 35 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park, Sage Lodge offers the ultimate luxury Montana getaway for anglers, travelers, family gatherings, and corporate events. The resort’s idyllic headquarters are nestled under Emigrant Peak and spread across 1,200 acres, where you can launch a day of indoor or outdoor adventures that call your name.  Sage Lodge offers 34 lodge guest rooms, four standalone Ranch Houses, two dining outlets, and a full-service spa.

Sage Lodge is a haven for fly anglers situated on the banks of the Yellowstone River. The fishing program is designed to make the most of the abundant waters that have made Montana famous. Guests have the option to float several different sections of the Yellowstone River or Madison River. Additionally, there are walk and wade fishing opportunities on private springs creeks and Yellowstone National Park.

The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States, and its watershed is the source and stronghold of beautiful, native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. Guests staying at Sage Lodge can easily access over 50 miles of trout water on the Yellowstone, from Gardiner to east of Livingston. Fishing on the Yellowstone or Madison Rivers is primarily done in custom drift boats, though there are ample opportunities to anchor and wade-fish productive riffle sections. Tactics and techniques on the Yellowstone vary depending on the timing. The height of summer shows anglers incredible dry fly fishing with hopper and terrestrial patterns. Fall and spring will bring success on streamers, and there are also localized mayfly hatches in spring and fall. Pre-runoff caddis fishing can be excellent, and subsurface nymph or soft hackle fishing is productive most months.

Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its creeks and rivers that offer excellent fishing opportunities. From Memorial Day Weekend through October, it is a wade angler's paradise, combining fishing with wildlife viewing. Some of the most famous rivers in the West, including Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, and Snake, originate from the park. Additionally, the park features equally famous but smaller waters such as Slough and Soda Butte Creeks and the Firehole, Gibbon, Gardner, and Lamar Rivers. Hatches occur throughout the fishing season, but subsurface nymphing can be effective when no bugs are on the water. Terrestrial dry fly fishing can be spectacular in the summer, while spring and fall are great times to fish streamers or swing soft hackles.

The famed Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - DePuy, Armstrong, and Nelson's - are just a short drive north of Sage Lodge. These creeks offer a chance to catch rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout all year round. The atmosphere is secluded, and successful fishing depends on patience and stealth. The creeks have various hatches, including Pale Morning Duns, Blue Wing Olives, Caddis, and midges. Sight-fishing is often the preferred approach on these creeks, and during a heavy hatch, there are numerous targets to aim for. A day or two spent fishing on the Spring Creeks is an ideal complement to exploring the vast Yellowstone River and the freestones of Yellowstone National Park. Please note that the spring creeks will have an additional rod fee, depending on the chosen venue, and are subject to availability.

Although a Montana trip typically focuses on outdoor adventures, Sage Lodge is committed to the indoor experience. Guestrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, allowing guests to unwind and enjoy the scenery. The main lodge offers 34 guest rooms and four free-standing Ranch Houses with private patios overlooking the casting pond. Each Ranch House has four guestrooms with a private bathroom and can accommodate six king beds and two queen pullout sofas.

Part of the beauty of getting away to Sage Lodge includes the promise of great dining. Eating well is part of the experience, and our restaurants offer rustic and bold flavors. From The Grill to The Fireside Room, you will find the highest quality dining in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Here, you’ll experience house-cured meats from local ranches, garden-fresh produce from nearby farms, and plenty of Montana beers and spirits. The Fireside Room provides a cozy, intimate atmosphere with breathtaking mountain views, while The Grill, a contemporary steakhouse, features fine dining with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sprawling Yellowstone River

Sage Lodge offers an array of exceptional outdoor and indoor experiences. These activities will have an additional fee on top of your lodging and meals package at the lodge. While many of these experiences can be booked on-site, we recommend reserving your fly fishing guides as early as possible.

Yellowstone Tours: Experience the wonders of Yellowstone National Park with a private tour guided by one of the lodge’s expert naturalists. Witness the awe-inspiring thermal features, abundant wildlife, and majestic mountain scenery, including Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Old Faithful.

E-Bikes: Explore the stunning property trails on Specialized E-Bikes. Uniquely experience the thrill of nature with our adventure team, who will guide you on a tour through the trails.

Horseback Riding: Explore Paradise Valley on horseback. Take in the breathtaking views with one of the oldest trail-riding outfits in the area, where you’ll ride the trail like a Montana cowboy or cowgirl.

Rafting + Ziplining: Soar over breathtaking Yellowstone Country on a series of ziplines and adventure elements. Looking for more adventure? Combine your zipline tour with a half day of white- water rafting for a family-friendly “Zip and Dip.”

Llamas: Embark on a guided hike on the Sage Lodge property while accompanied by friendly llamas. These gentle creatures will carry a lighter load, allowing you to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and gain a fresh perspective. Don't forget to capture the stunning mountain views and unique photo opportunities that come with having llamas by your side.

Scenic Floats: Relax with a luxury scenic float for sunset cruising, birding, wildlife watching, and relaxation on the famed Yellowstone River. Enjoy the splendor of this freestone river as you drift through calm waters and enjoy the early or late light over the mountains. No splashing, no paddling, just sheer relaxation and awe from your surroundings.

Hot Springs: Experience the warmth of Montana and relax in the healing waters of natural hot springs. Yellowstone Hot Springs, located 30 minutes south of Sage Lodge, offers three open-air pools containing natural mineral hot water. Or visit Chico Hot Springs, which features two open-air pools containing natural mineral hot springs.

Onsite Activities: The lodge’s onsite activities are sure to provide something for everyone. For those who love the great outdoors, they offer casting lessons on our private casting pond, fly tying, and stargazing sessions that will leave you breathless. For those looking for something more adventurous, they have axe throwing that will test your skills and woodburning that will let you unleash your creativity.

The Spa at Sage Lodge: Whether you choose to experience the natural elements of Montana through outdoor exploration or the soothing services at our full-service spa, Sage Lodge has you covered. With various services ranging from massages to facials to body treatments, you’ll be immersed in the purest products as our highly skilled professionals soothe stress. The Spa at Sage Lodge is the perfect oasis for rejuvenation with five treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, a relaxation lounge, and an outdoor hot tub.

2025 Rates:

Rates at Sage Lodge are dynamic depending on time of year and availability. Please reach out for more information.

Included: Accommodations, meals, guided fly fishing, tax.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, additional elected activities, alcohol, fishing licenses, gratuities.

Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout

Season: Year-round

Capacity: 80 guests

Who is best suited to this destination? This destination is well suited for most anglers and is best suited for those who are not looking for lodges that only accommodate anglers. Sage Lodge can sleep 80 guests and throughout the summer will often be host to weddings and corporate events.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located in Emigrant, MT, about thirty minutes south of Livingston, MT.

How do I get there? Guests will fly into Bozeman and rent a car for the one-hour drive to the lodge. The last five minutes of the drive are on a gravel road, and four-wheel drive is not required.

When should I go? The lodge is open year-round and is a lovely place to visit at any time. Fishing in this area starts picking up in late June and continues through early October. Staying at the lodge in late June or early July tends to be a nice time as the fish are hungry and there is nice insect variety throughout the day. Mid-September can be a very nice time as the evenings are cooling off, hoppers are often still out and the crowds tend to be a little smaller.

How will I fish? Anglers will fish two per guide. The Yellowstone River will be floated in a drift boat and the spring creeks and rivers in the parks will be walk and wade days (please note, no studs or felt allowed).

The Yellowstone River is large and fishes best with a dry/dropper system from the boat through much of the season. Anglers should plan on casting large indicator flies with one or two nymphs or soft hackle flies below. These are heavy rigs that don’t require a lot of casting. The smaller rivers will be fished usually with longer leaders and shorter dropped flies, or with dry flies only.

Is there wade fishing? All of the rivers in Yellowstone National Park will be walk and wade, as well as Dupuy’s and Armstrong spring creeks.

Where will I fish? There are many floats that guests may access on the Yellowstone River and easily hundreds of miles of water available to anglers within an hour’s drive. Anglers may fish the Yellowstone River in and out of the park, Boulder, Stillwater, Bighole, and Madison Rivers, as well as the Lamar River, Slough Creek and Gardner Rivers in Yellowstone National Park.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? It will take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour and a half to reach the fishing grounds depending on the location.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Brown trout, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout are most common, whitefish and cuttbows are common as well.

How many fish will I catch? This varies great depending on fishing conditions and methods, but anglers can expect to catch between five and ten fish a day.

Will I see other anglers? Yes, you will see other anglers on these rivers.

What are the guides like? The guides range in age and personality. They are all hardworking and knowledgeable of the area and rivers.

What are the physical demands? There are no physical demands for this trip. The days of walk and wade are not difficult and anglers can choose how far they would like to walk.

Are there any special skills required? There are no special skills required, and anglers can take casting lessons on the Sage pond to brush on their skills.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The guides will provide rods, reels, terminal tackle and flies. Guests can rent boots and waders for an additional daily fee. The lodge will also provide the Sage Perfect Setup for rent if guests would like to test the gear.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A 5-weight 9-foot rod will get the job done on any of the rivers during this trip.

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 have 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? Breakfast is available at the lodge starting at 8:00 AM, guides will pick up guests at 8:30 AM in front of the lodge for the day of fishing. Guests will return to the lodge around 5:00 PM and have the evening to themselves. This trip is unique in that guests may create their own itinerary for their activities, and have options to dine at various locations in Paradise Valley and Livingston.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The lodge has a very anonymous feel as guests are often coming and going. The spa is quiet and tranquil and is in a separate building from the main lodge. The Fireside Room restaurant is open to the main lounge area of the lodge. During the summer season there is music two or three nights a week and there is generally a loud and social feel. The lodge has lovely amenities and beautiful views.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? There is a manager onsite most hours of the day and someone at the front desk from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? The Fireside Room is a gourmet restaurant with indoor seating, bar seating and outdoor seating overlooking the pond with heaters. The meals are very good and the menu changes weekly, and reservations are required for dinner.

The Grill is a steakhouse with an open wood fire used for most items on the menu. The Grill is reserved for private parties.

Guests who stay at one of the Ranch Houses may also schedule a private barbecue at their house across the pond. This option typically is a set menu but can be changed for dietary restrictions.

What is the alcohol policy? The Fireside Room has a full bar with a menu of wine, beer and specialty cocktails. Guests may also purchase alcohol in Bozeman to bring with them for their rooms or for lounging outside of the Fireside Room if desired.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The main lodge houses the majority of the rooms. There are a number of rooms with two queen sized beds, private outdoor patio and large bathroom. These rooms all face the event center and Grill on the far end of the parking area. There also rooms with a king bed and pullout couch with large bathroom available that face the pond and the ranch houses. There are two slightly larger Paradise King rooms with a private patio and window seat in addition to the standard King offering.

There are also four ranch houses that are separate buildings on the opposite side of the pond from the lodge. Each ranch house has six king beds with two sleeper sofas and four bathrooms. There is a large common space and kitchen as well as an outdoor seating area. Each house is a short walk from the main lodge and spa.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is intermittent cell service in the valley, and there is strong Wifi available throughout the lodge.

Are there other activities? There are many other activities including hiking, mountain biking, tours in Yellowstone National Park, spa services, llama hikes, river rafting, kayaking, yoga, helicopter tours, hot air balloon rides and horseback riding.

Are there any other expenses? This lodge works more like a hotel so included in each package will be the accommodations and fishing only. Guests should prepare to also pay for each meal and beverages, additional activities, gratuities, and rental cars.

Do I need a visa? A visa is not needed 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.