YELLOWSTONE POP-UP RANCH
BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH — CODY, WY
MAY 26 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
YELLOWSTONE POP-UP RANCH
AT BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH - CODY, WYOMING
This year’s Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch will take place at the historic Blackwater Creek Ranch in Cody, Wyoming, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch, where we hosted our very first Pop-Up Ranch. We’re hopeful to return to the O.T.O. in 2025! Stay tuned for updates.
Explore the area dubbed “the most scenic 50 miles in the U.S.” by Teddy Roosevelt during three or six-night stays at Blackwater Creek Ranch. Along the banks of the scenic Shoshone River and its namesake Blackwater Creek, the ranch is nestled in the mountains of Shoshone National Forest just 15 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. Your all-inclusive stay will include all meals, ranch activities and amenities, off-ranch excursions, special events, and entertainment.
Three and six-night stays available.
A Pop-Up Ranch production by Ranch Preservation. Permitted activity will take place on the Shoshone National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. A portion of the proceeds of this special pop-up event will be donated toward the efforts to preserve and restore the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch, which operated as a dude ranch in Montana from the 1910s to 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
EXPERIENCE AMERICA'S FIRST NATIONAL PARK
YELLOWSTONE
POP-UP RANCH
BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH
MAY 26 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
CALL 307-243-3056 OR EMAIL INFO@TRUERANCHCOLLECTION.COM TO BOOK.
A HISTORIC WYOMING RANCH
ABOUT BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH
Blackwater Creek Ranch is located outside of Cody, Wyoming, set in the natural beauty of Shoshone National Forest, just minutes from Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance. Since 1915, the location has made this a premiere vacation destination for guests from all over the world. Teddy Roosevelt even called the area “The most scenic 50 miles in the United States.”
LODGING
Lodging will be in the ranch’s log cabins nestled in a grove of tall trees, nearby the murmuring waters of the Shoshone River and Blackwater Creek. Built beginning in 1915 with the last completed in the 1950s, each cabin has its own bathroom and some have multiple bedrooms. They’ll be furnished with cozy bedding, Navajo rugs, and beautiful appointments.
adventures
Classic dude ranch adventures await: horseback riding in the Wyoming wilderness, archery, sport shooting and hiking; plus special events and evening entertainment. You’ll have access to fish the local waterways: the Shoshone River and Blackwater Creek. You’ll have opportunities to experience America’s First National Park and First National Forest, as well as the cowboy town of Cody, Wyoming.
DINING
Meals during this pop-up dude ranch experience will range from cocktails and dinners enjoyed in the expansive, rustic lodge, cook-outs and campfires or sack lunches out on the trail. You’ll enjoy a taste of Wyoming with locally inspired dishes and traditional ranch recipes.
ADVENTURES
HORSEBACK RIDING
Memorable riding experiences await in the spectacular Absaroka Mountains and Shoshone National Forest. You’ll ride to the Blackwater Fireman’s Memorial, and explore other scenery in Yellowstone Country.
Age Minimum: 5 years old
ARCHERY & SPORT SHOOTING
Practice your marksmanship with our safe and fun sport shooting and archery programs. Test your aim with varied targets and distances in our 3D archery program, and try your hand at clay pigeon and target shooting with guided safety instruction.
Age Minimums: Archery — 5 years old, .22 Shooting — 8 years old, Shotgun Shooting — 16 years old
HIKING
Blackwater Creek Ranch sits nestled between the Shoshone River and Blackwater Creek in the Shoshone National Forest. Enjoy hiking around the ranch in the remote splendor of one of the West’s most scenic areas. With the ranch’s location, you’ll have direct access to hiking trails in Shoshone National Forest.
FLY FISHING
Directly on the ranch you’ll find access to the Shoshone River and Blackwater Creek for spectacular fly fishing opportunities in an uncrowded, breathtaking setting. The North Fork and Shoshone River is managed as a wild fishery, with all reproduction happening naturally. Catch Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbows, cutbows, Brook trout and brown trout. You can fish these local waterways with your own equipment, or borrow equipment from us.*
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Experience the ultimate adventure with a white water rafting trip with our friends at Wyoming River Trips. We’ll head into Cody where you’ll depart with Wyoming River Trip’s experienced guides for an exciting float down the Shoshone River, where you’ll experience the natural beauty and unique wildlife of the Shoshone National Forest and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. White water rafting trips will take place during your Sunday to Wednesday three-night stay or your six-night stay.
OFFERED FOR 6-NIGHT STAYS AND
SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY 3-NIGHT STAYS
Wyoming River Trips believes in providing river adventures that suit a wide range of individuals. However, individuals must be at least 50 lbs in weight and not exceed a chest size of more than 56 inches.
CODY, WYOMING
Experience the cowboy town of Cody during your stay at Blackwater Creek Ranch. During the months of June, July and August, we’ll take you into town for a steak dinner and head over to the Cody Nite Rodeo. Taking place every summer night from June to August, the Cody Nite Rodeo welcomes both professionals and amateurs to compete in various events, including bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping. During May and September, we’ll head into Cody for some shopping and exploring, and cap off the night with a steak dinner in town. Trips into Cody will take place during your Wednesday to Saturday three-night stay or your six-night stay.
OFFERED FOR 6-NIGHT STAYS AND
WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY 3-NIGHT STAYS
*We have a small selection of basic fly fishing equipment available to borrow. We recommend you bring your own equipment if you are interested in fishing, and a Wyoming State Fishing License is required. You can purchase a daily fishing license or one for the whole season. Pricing varies depending on residency. Click here to purchase a fishing license.
ADDITIONAL TOURS
TOUR OF
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
FOR 6-NIGHT GUESTS
Blackwater Creek Ranch is just 15 miles from the east gates of Yellowstone, and you’ll have the chance to experience the 150-year-old park for a day during your six-night stay at Blackwater Creek. We’ll take you on a tour of the Park to see some of the spectacular landscapes and attractions, and search for wildlife. Lunch will be provided during the tour.
For guests staying three nights, you can also consider touring Yellowstone National Park on your own! Blackwater Creek is close to the East Entrance and some of Yellowstone’s popular northern attractions including Lamar Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
YELLOWSTONE POP-UP RANCH DATES:
MAY 26 – SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
THREE & SIX-NIGHT STAYS AVAILABLE
SIX NIGHTS: SUNDAY TO SATURDAY
THREE NIGHTS: SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY OR WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY
YOUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
- LODGING IN RANCH CABINS
- ALL MEALS
- HORSEBACK RIDING
- RANCH ACTIVITIES
- USE OF RANCH AMENITIES
- SPECIAL EVENTS & LOCAL TOURS
- EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
Ranch Amenities include: outdoor pool and hot tub, rec room, full bar (bar purchases are an additional charge).
RATES
THREE & SIX NIGHT PACKAGES
THREE & SIX-NIGHT STAYS AVAILABLE
SIX NIGHTS: SUNDAY TO SATURDAY
THREE NIGHTS: SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY OR WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY
Deposit: 30% of total lodging charges (including tax and service change)
Cancellation: Refundable up to 90 days prior to arrival
Rates are subject to a 15% Ranch Service Fee and 5.04% tax.*
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
3-NIGHTS | 6-NIGHTS | |
Standard Cabin – Single | $1,750 | $3,150 |
Deluxe Cabin – Single | $1,950 | $3,600 |
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Rates listed are per person and based on double occupancy.
| 3-NIGHTS Sunday – Wednesday Wednesday – Saturday | 6-NIGHTS Sunday – Saturday | |
| Standard Cabin One or two bedroom cabin with private bathroom. | $1,500 | $2,700 |
| Deluxe Cabin One or two bedroom cabin with sitting area and private bathroom. | $1,725 | $3,150 |
| Ranch House The Ranch House is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house with a living room and full kitchen. It can sleep a maximum of 6 guests. | $1,950 | $3,600 |
| Additional persons | $1,275 | $2,250 |
Rates are subject to a 15% Ranch Service Fee and 5.04% tax.*
*27% of the Full American Plan is considered Food & Beverage and taxed at 4% Sales Tax. 33% of the Full American Plan is Lodging and taxed at 7% Lodging Tax. Guided Activities are 40% of the Full American Plan and are exempt from tax. The 15% Ranch Service Fee is taxed at 4% Sales Tax and 7% Lodging Tax.
Our rates are subject to a Ranch Service Fee, which allows us to do the following for our staff: We do not pay tipped wages and instead pay above minimum wage. Many of our staff are provided room and board and all are provided meals while at the ranch. The Ranch Service Fee also contributes to an end of season bonus system. With all of this in mind, tipping is not expected, however it is appreciated if you feel you have received exceptional service during your stay. You are welcome to tip directly or notify the front desk at check out.
reservations
PLEASE CALL 307-243-3056 OR EMAIL INFO@TRUERANCHCOLLECTION.COM TO BOOK OR BOOK ONLINE BELOW.
SPECIAL COWGIRLS' WEEK
SHOSHONE COWGIRLS
SUNDAY, JULY 28 - SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024
Join us for a special Cowgirls’ program at Blackwater Creek Ranch — Shoshone Cowgirls. Meet new friends, adventure on horseback and experience Yellowstone Country. Your stay includes on-ranch activities, off-ranch excursions and special Shoshone Cowgirls activities.
Shoshone Cowgirls Package Rates:
Single $3,400/person
Double $3,100/person
Additional Persons $2,700/person
*Prices are inclusive of tax and service charge
Your package price includes lodging, all activities and excursions, meals and horseback riding. 30% deposit to confirm.
Please call 307-243-3056 to book your Shoshone Cowgirls stay!
getting to BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH
DRIVING FROM CODY, YELLOWSTONE REGIONAL AIRPORT: 45 minutes
DRIVING FROM BILLINGS-LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 2 hours 30 minutes
For six-night stays, complimentary airport transportation to/from the Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, WY is available. For three-night stays, airport transportation to/from the Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, WY is available for $150 round trip for up to 2 people, and $75 for each additional person.
BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH
1516 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414
BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH HISTORY
In 1899, the Blackwater Ranger Cabin was constructed within what is now known as the Shoshone National Forest. It was the first National Forest, created in 1891 as a part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve. The U.S. Forest Service then constructed a wagon bridge at Blackwater in the summer of 1900. Sadly, both were destroyed by fire in 1905.
Ten years later, in the summer of 1915, Bob Rumsey and George T. Beck were issued a permit at Blackwater for a tourist resort. It was first known as “Blackwater Camp” and outfitted hunting, camping and fishing parties with “every man given a horse for his sole use during his stay,” according to a Blackwater Camp advertisement in a 1916 edition of the Yale Daily News. Bob Rumsey was a Yale University graduate and was later elected to the Wyoming State Senate in 1935. Bob’s father, Bronson Rumsey, was associated with “Buffalo Bill” Cody in the founding of the historic town of Cody, Wyoming. George T. Beck was another one of the founders of Cody.
In August 1937, the Blackwater Fire broke out in Shoshone National Forest, started by a lightning strike. Fifteen firefighters lost their lives in the forest fire, which quickly spread into the dense forest with changing winds. The fire consumed 1700 acres and injured another 38 firefighters. Most of the firefighters were Civilian Conservation Corps employees led by U.S. Forest Service fire managers.
Nearby the ranch, along the Cody-Yellowstone Highway at the mouth of Blackwater Creek is a large stone-cut monument constructed by the Forest Service and Civilian Conservation Corps to memorialize the men who died in the Blackwater Fire. There are also CCC-constructed memorials at the two sites where firefighters lost their lives within the National Forest, that are accessible by horseback or hiking from the ranch.
The ranch’s historic cabins were constructed between 1915 and into the 1950s. In the 1930s through the 1950s, the ranch was operated as Blackwater Lodge offering lodging and dining, guided hunting and fishing, pack trips, and a horse for the duration of the guest’s visit.
Today, the dude ranching tradition continues as Blackwater Creek Ranch hosts guests from all over the world to experience its corner of Yellowstone Country and the Shoshone National Forest.
O.T.O. dude RANCH PRESERVATION
Ranch Preservation’s Yellowstone Pop-Up event was the first to bring dude ranch guests back to the historically significant O.T.O. Dude Ranch in an effort to continue to support its preservation and restoration. This year, the Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch at Blackwater Creek Ranch will continue to benefit the historic O.T.O. while we await future permit approval.
A portion of the proceeds of this special pop-up event will be donated toward the efforts to preserve and restore the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Pop-Up Ranch production by Ranch Preservation to benefit the preservation of the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch. Permitted activity will take place on the Shoshone National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
BLACKWATER CREEK RANCH IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
