I woke up at home yesterday, still on Montana time. After my coffee I felt like I needed to go somewhere, do something, be ready. Then I realized that I needed to get to the barn and get on my horse and go on a ride. The sadness and disappointment that I wasn't there to do that was thick and real. I found this ranch online, called them after a long discussion with my mom, and discovered that I was extremely fortunate in my choice. This ranch is family owned and operated, and they care about their guests and their land. Kim and Kelly Kelsey are some of the friendliest, real people I have ever met. Kelly joined us for every meal and chatted with us all about our lives, expressing genuine interest in what we were all about. She also knows everything, it seems, about the land and the area she's in, and she made all the quilts and window coverings for the guest cabins! Kim is a real man's man, a true cowboy who is as comfortable on a horse as he is pitching for the slow pitch softball game. The love the two have for each other, their family and their ranch is honest and infectious. The cabins were all well-kept and well insulated, comfortable during the warm days and cozy during the cold nights. The staff was professional and friendly, helpful and genuine. Everyone from the office staff to the wranglers were serious about their jobs and did them well. I fell in love with my horse Duster, he was so well trained and mannerly. The horses were all cared for wonderfully, healthy and happy. I was so impressed the horses were never corralled in small stalls, but allowed to range freely during the night. Every morning the wranglers would ride out a few miles to bring the herd to the barn for the day's riding, and to see the herd come in was something straight out of a western movie. The other guests, too, were wonderful people and we became great friends. I think it was the friendliness of the Kelseys that helped us all relax and become friends. I definitely want to go back next year, hopefully with my family and friends. Although the week isn't the cheapest vacation, it was definitely money well spent. I would recommend this ranch to anyone who wants a true western dude ranch vacation.

My family started an annual pilgrammage to the ranch after our first visit in 1967, and no summer was complete without it as we grew up. Now represented by three generations, the Nine Quarter Circle remains the destination of choice for all family members who return from around the globe for our too infrequent reunions. Having made lifelong friends with other guests who we continue to enjoy seeing at the ranch, feeling like part of the Kelsey family, and enjoying the natural splendor of a magnificent setting that remains unchanged over the years, there is no better destination. What makes people prefer the Nine Quarter Circle to any other holiday opportunity, year after year? Experience it and find out!

Having read the previous reviews, I think the essence of the ranch is well captured, just as the ranch captures its guests who yearn to return.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, the staff friendly and very helpful. We encountered a problem with hot water in our cabin (as we were the first guests there for the summer season), and were immediately moved to an even larger cabin (no extra charge), complete with bunnies living under the front porch! Woodburning stoves in all cabins. Food was very good, desserts excellent. Riding Appaloosas was a great experience for us as we strive to become better riders. Big, strong horses! We were a bit limited on trails as we were unable to cross the raging river at end of the week due to heavy snowmelt from a harsh winter. We did witness a rockslide on the mountain across from where we were riding, that was very cool! We became very close with the other guests, as this is a really nice, laid-back atmosphere. Be sure to check out Kelly Kelsey's home-made kids' jackets for sale at their little shop, they are the cutest things you've ever seen. Tons of bluebirds and swallows all over the property, fun to watch. Overall we had a great experience and the week went by too fast! NO cell service, but can pick up wi-fi OK there.

My family had been going to "the ranch" for over 20 years and when we drive in we always say "thank goodness nothing has changed!". We have made many wonderful friends at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch over the years - guests, staff and the Kelseys (owners) alike.

This authentic dude ranch offers excellent twice daily riding in beautiful country for all levels of ability. The opportunity to see elk, moose, bear, deer, coyotes, sand hill cranes, marmots, etc. on each ride is a daily delight. Some in my family go on the twice weekly all day rides which are simply fantastic. There are opportunities for overnight pack trips into the back country as well. Those who don't like to ride twice a day (or at all) can fly fish, hike, mountain bike, or go into Yellowstone Park.

The log cabins are nicely appointed (not luxurious though) and very comfortable. The food
is good home cooking - nothing fancy- and is served family style. What makes this place so special is the setting, the activities, the fact that cell phones don't work and TVs and newspapers are nowhere to be seen. There are family activities in the evening including a baseball game, hay ride, campfire, square dance. etc which bring all the guests and staff together. Guests at the ranch love the outdoors and go out of their way to share it with each other - "old timers" lead "first timers" up Mt Lincoln's steep slope,show them where to sign in to the mailbox at the top and then lead them off the "edge of the world", down dirt/shale slides that afford the adventurous a summer skiing simulation. Riders share stories of their adventures at the nightly adult only happy hour before dinner. Fly fishermen share favorite flies and fishing holes. Bring a few great books, a deck of cards, a cooler of beer, wine, etc and you don't need to get in your car for a week!

Babysitting is another element we appreciated when our kids were young. My husband and I were able to go riding or fishing, knowing that our children were having fun with the babysitter (ages 1-5) on the ranch grounds, or with the kiddy wrangler on horseback (ages 6-9).

We've met guests who stayed at the ranch in the 1940's through the 1970's, and when they come back they say "nothing has changed - it's great". If you go to the ranch you'll get to experience the freedom of being out of doors, taking in the beauty of the Taylor Fork
Valley, and getting away from all the distractions of "our technology driven lives" - simpler is better!