In the vast wilderness of Montana, less than an hour from Yellowstone National Park, is one of the most unique golf courses in the country: Rising Sun.

The ruggedly scenic 18-hole Johnny Miller design, which opened in 2011, is among a select few courses in the U.S. on a working dude ranch – offering an exclusive golf escape integrated into an authentic Western ranch experience. Rising Sun is just one of the outdoor amenities and activities at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana’s Paradise Valley, the 17,000-acre sanctuary with views of Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges that is owned by Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot and owner of PGA Tour Superstore and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Blank fell in love with Montana’s unspoiled wilderness decades ago when he visited ranches in the Paradise Valley with his family. Today he owns four, chief among them Mountain Sky, which has welcomed visitors since 1929 and is the crown jewel in Blank’s growing collection of ranches in the Big Sky state.

And golf, one of Blank’s passions, has in recent years become an increasingly popular part of the luxury experience at the property, where a weeklong stay for a family of five in a three-bedroom cabin costs about $34,000 during the summer months.

“When we first opened up the golf course, guests would kind of view it like an afterthought,” Blank said, while adding that perception has shifted dramatically in recent years. “We’ve seen, in the last four or five years, more and more families are coming together, and in many cases, more and more members of the family have a real interest in playing golf.”

MOUNTAIN SKY ACTIVITIES

In addition to golf, Mountain Sky has horseback riding, archery, clay shooting, hiking, flyfishing, a fully stocked trout pond, trips to Yellowstone and more. There are spa services, a serenity room, a heated swimming pool, a fitness center, a cedar sauna, firepits, and an outdoor hot tub and a yoga studio that offer picturesque views of the Montana mountains.

But what truly differentiates Mountain Sky is the working ranch aspect, which allows for an immersive guest experience.

Guests can try their hand at team penning, an opportunity to work on cattle sorting with some friendly group competition, or the working ranch experience in which they assist the property’s land and livestock manager at the working hay and cattle operation.

Roaming horses have been known to greet guests on the entry road to Rising Sun, which blends seamlessly into the rolling hills and natural grasses of Paradise Valley. As part of the ranch’s conservation efforts, Rising Sun is the first golf course in Montana to achieve certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.

A UNIQUE GOLF COURSE

Views are the hallmark of Rising Sun, which not only has dramatic elevation changes and mountain vistas but is loaded with ‘lookback holes,’ the kind where you get to the green, look back and shake your head in wonder. Conditions can change from day-to-day too, with unrelenting winds and pop-up storms whipping through one afternoon, only for it to be still and serene the following morning.

“The setting, the driving range, the setting on the holes, is just spectacular,” Blank said in an interview. “I tell people, ‘Look you can play half the holes, but take your camera with you, your phone with you, and take pictures on all 18 holes, because settings of magnificent and opportunity to be outside and enjoy golf.’”

The exclusive nature of Rising Sun, which is open only to ranch guests and has no set tee times, adds to its allure and its tranquility. Golfers can play at their own pace while taking in the breathtaking views – from wildlife to the mountain surrounds. Those guests interested in playing just need to write their name on the golf sheet on the activity board in the main lodge.

Weeklong stays are the minimum at Mountain Sky, so guests have plenty of time to enjoy multiple rounds at Rising Sun while fully immersing themselves in the ranch experience and participating in the property’s many other activities. This unhurried approach has proven incredibly successful, with Blank noting that “about 90% of our guests sign up to come back the next year, in the same cabin, the same week, with their extended family.”

CONNECTIONS RUN DEEP

While there’s a depth of amenities at Mountain Sky, it’s the connections that run even deeper.

Meals are communal, so guests get to know one another during their stay on-property. From buffet-style breakfasts featuring Montana huckleberry pancakes to elegant three- to five-course dinners created by gourmet chefs, the dining experience brings guests together to share stories of their daily adventures. After dinner, the saloon comes alive with the warmth of a crackling fireplace as does the main lodge, where staff and guests alike dance to country music played by local musicians.

“The thing that I love about Mountain Sky the most is that it brings together people, usually families, and sometimes friends and families, and they come back year after year,” says Blank.

The ranch intentionally limits technology access in the cabins – the bars on your phone disappear after driving up the long entrance road to the ranch — encouraging guests to focus on what truly matters.

“It’s essentially technology free,” Blank adds. “And guests just love that, they love being able to come and focus on things that important to them — the people they love, and experiences they love.”

MONTANA RANCHES

Looking ahead to 2025, Blank’s family of companies will continue to expand its presence in Paradise Valley with a new development currently known as The Dome.

Located on the southern end of the valley with four miles of Yellowstone River frontage, this complementary property will offer a different kind of Montana experience. With 20 guest cabins, a welcoming main lodge, small market, and casual restaurant and bar, The Dome will cater to travelers seeking shorter stays than the weeklong immersive experience at Mountain Sky. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park positions it as an ideal base for both visitors and locals looking to experience the many wonders of the region.

Rising Sun won’t be among them, however.

The golf course will remain exclusive to guests of Mountain Sky, exemplifying the balance between luxury amenities and authentic ranch experiences.

And there aren’t many places in the world of golf where a morning round can be followed by an afternoon cattle drive.