Montana Hills Guest Ranch began over several decades ago, and was purchased, renovated, and reopened by the current owners Elaine and Al in 2016. Elaine and Al had owned and operated a boutique Inn and attached farm on Vancouver Island for several years prior to reopening Montana Hills and their years of experience will make you feel so relaxed and welcome at the Ranch that you will feel like family. You won’t find crowds of people so the experience is very personal. 

     How did Al and Elaine fall in love with this unique area of the Cariboo? You’ll see the obvious answers begin to unfold from the moment you arrive. Montana Hill Guest Ranch is a working cattle ranch operated solely by Al and Elaine that sits in the heart of cowboy country in the south Cariboo region of British Columbia. The main ranch sprawls over 100s of acres and is nestled amid the gentle rolling ‘Montana’ hills dotted with pine, aspen, and fir trees. Surrounding the Ranch for miles in every direction stretch the convenient public lands offering a myriad of scenic hiking and riding trails, plus several crystal clear lakes which are perfect for fishing. The fresh air, panoramic views, and quiet surroundings create an environment that will re-charge your batteries and relieve the stress of your busy life. Prepare yourself for an impressive vacation experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories. 

      From the very beginning, Al and Elaine have been passionately focused on designing the Montana Hill Guest Ranch experience to be both an affordable and cost-effective Holiday, while still offering all the comforts and luxuries you would expect from much pricier Ranches -  whether lounging in your upscale self-contained cabin, appointed with kitchenette, ensuite, and queen size log bed, and decorated with antiques and western collectibles, or luxuriating on the deck in the private hot tub gazing over the waving pasture grassland as the BBQ smoke wafts skyward through the Aspen foliage, you will find Montana Hills an easy place to find your own rhythm.  Choose between savouring the solitude and social distancing in your cabin, or enjoying the social benefits of the Big Sky Lodge with a game of billiards, or simply relaxing with a book in front of the impressive river rock fireplace under the watchful gaze of trophy Caribou, Moose, Cougar, and numerous mounted birds. 

    But that’s just for starters! The seemingly endless activity list has several ‘Ranchy’ temptations, suitable for all ages, from private artisan cheese making courses in the main Ranch house, to hands-on challenges like milking Princess Alexandra, or ‘Lexi’ the Jersey dairy cow twice daily, or bottle feeding baby calves, to something as simple as collecting chicken eggs. Kids especially seem to really love these farm animal-focused events. 

    And of course, there are the typical seasonal outdoorsy pursuits ranging from horseback riding to snowmobiling, axe-throwing accuracy competitions, wrapped up every second evening with a camaraderie-building evening sing-alongs around a crackling campfire. 

    The horses are all well-trained, with different mounts for all levels of experience, plus adequate time is taken to teach raw Beginners.

Horseback riding rates are $75.00 per person per hour, plus taxes, and gratuity for lessons. 

     Snowmobile tours are $125.00 per person plus taxes and gratuity (winter only); and snowshoes are available for the zealous Winter Hiker.

           *********************************************************

   Pursuing the ‘something for everyone’ ideology, Al and Elaine have worked diligently to supply both the private cabins, and the boutique Gift Shoppe with items that could appeal to a wide spectrum of individual tastes. There are carina organic amenities from Vancouver, B.C., Montana Hills’ very own brand of coffee, roasted in British Columbia, and even jackets, hoodies, vests, ball caps and cowboy hats with the Montana Hills’ logo; 

     The Ranch also provides farm fresh eggs, coffee, creamers, sugar and salt and pepper gratis in your cabin, to which, should you wish, you can add freshly baked bread, or croissants and jam, or our Ranch-raised beef steaks with an organic salad from the green house garden, or even a chicken for barbecuing. 

     Everything will be seasoned and ready for you to bbq or we’re happy to do the work for you, including a baked potato, plus you can add on freshly baked bread and a desert… whatever tickles your fancy…and everything we offer is farm to table. That means fresh and organic produce grown in our greenhouse or sourced from local farms in the area. 

     Montana Hills Guest Ranch is located between Edmonton and Vancouver on the Jasper to Whistler/Blackcomb route - the perfect overnight stop over, although once here, most people wish they had planned to stay for more than one night!  

     The Ranch is open year-round, and is only a five hour Sight-Seer’s adventure drive from Vancouver, BC, along the famous Cariboo Goldrush Trail by following Highway 1 to Cache Creek paralleling the twisting chaos of the churning Fraser River, then merging onto Highway 97 north to Highway 24 just south of 100 Mile House, where you turn right/East onto Highway 24, famously known as the ‘Fishing Highway’ because of the many fishing lakes along its route. 

    Another option is the scenic Coquihalla Highway to Kamloops, then connecting with Highway 5 north to Little Fort, and turn left/West, onto that same Fishing Highway 24. We are just an hour and half north of Kamloops, BC. You don’t want to drive? We can arrange a pickup. 

     Other options to enhance your visit include bird watching - we have sand hill cranes nesting in the field, pilated woodpeckers, flickers, grouse, finches, crows and many other birds. Did we mention star-gazing from your steaming hot tub? Binoculars recommended for both. 

    Are you the athletic type? Bring you mountain bike and challenge the trails.

    Have you ever dreamed of volunteering on a ranch? We’re now accepting applications for 2023 season. Learn some skills and have fun doing it!

     Come check us out… stay a night, or longer, and do as much or as little as you like. Group bookings welcomed. You can learn more about Montana Hills Guest Ranch and book your stay online, or call us at 1-250-593-9807 

     Doesn’t it sounds heavenly? “Brand A Memory” Give us a call. 

Elaine & Alan

Al grew up on a farm in Ontario where his dad trained standard bred horses. Al said he never had a bike growing up, just a horse. Elaine grew up moving around a lot her dad was a minister with the United Church of Canada. She raced snowmobiles for Bombardier. After they married, the Dillabaugh’s owned and operated a high-end auto body shop for 17 years and worked on Ferrari’s Mercedes gull-wing to BMWs. During the time they owned and operated the automotive shop, they built a small Inn and Farm. They operated the inn for 20 years. In September 2016, Al & Elaine sold to the Inn and Farm to a small boutique hotel. In Sept 2016 they moved into their new home and venture “Montana Hill Guest Ranch”. The couple always dreamed of having a guest ranch. They have brought their experience and enthusiasm with them. Come experience this unique way of life and enjoy the western hospitality. When choosing your vacation you can take your kids to the beach or go camping or take them to Montana Hill Guest Ranch and years later ask them about camping or the beach and its long forgotten. What will be branded in their memory is the stay at Montana Hill Guest Ranch.