Montana's Triple Creek Ranch Renovates Cabins

Further refining the Ranch's rustic yet elegant appeal, the resort drew on the skills of local artisans and craftsmen to renovate and redecorate 18 luxury cabins and introduce updates to its acclaimed dining room. Cabins now feature new fireplaces, new furnishings, and original pieces of art from owners and collectors Barbara and Craig Barrett's western-genre collection. Works by grand masters such as Charles Russell and Frederick Remington and contemporary artists such as Carol Hagan, Brent Cotton and photographer David Stoecklein create an overall atmosphere infused with the spirit of the West, showcasing the essence of Montana both indoors and out. In addition to their new locations inside the cabins, the work of more than one hundred western genre artists is on display with sculptures, paintings and photographs throughout the Ranch.

In the cabins, a natural color palette for walls, countertops, bedspreads and floors was chosen in order to create a subdued backdrop to best showcase the new original artwork. In addition, one-of-a-kind regional furnishings and handicrafts, including lodge pole pine doors, wine barrel vanity chairs, hand knotted oriental rugs, Lewis & Clark woolen afghans and hand-crafted slab granite countertops and oak desk tops, were added. The ranch turned to a local hat maker (who doubles as an on-Ranch housekeeper) to make the linen, microsuede and cotton window treatments, trimmed with decorative buttons made by a local craftswoman who learned the art of bead weaving and jewelry making on the nearby Flathead Reservation.

To complement the refreshed interiors, a stately new sign, made by local stone mason Justin Anderson, stands at Triple Creek Ranch’s entrance. Fashioned from Craig Barrett's rough drawing on a cocktail napkin, it is a fitting architectural capstone to the ranch. The sixteen foot high stone structure signals a "welcome home" to guests returning to the Bitterroot Mountains resort.

In the warm and romantic dining room, where guests regularly linger over gourmet dinners, a redesign creates a setting where the beautiful outdoor views take center stage. New wood floors are complemented by new custom-designed leather dining chairs, exclusive to Triple Creek Ranch, that are both rustic and comfortable.

Triple Creek Ranch has long been a favorite destination of travelers who appreciate art as well as the great outdoors. Guests enjoy exploring the resort’s tranquil mountainside setting and regularly participate in themed weekends specifically designed for aspiring artists and photographers as well as for wannabe wranglers through cowboy round-ups and cattle drives. An Orvis-endorsed fly fishing resort, Triple Creek Ranch offers superb fly fishing on the Bitterroot River. Hiking and horseback riding through the Bitterroot National Forest afford great views of area wildlife. Tennis, a fitness center, and a heated pool are available on-property. For relaxation, a massage in the privacy of the guest cabin and a hot tub soak among the Ponderosa pines make inviting options. When curling up with a good book is the preference, a crackling log fire in the cabin is especially cozy.

Triple Creek Ranch puts serious emphasis on gastronomy and service. The resort features an expansive dining room and bar, a chef’s table with views of the Bitterroot Mountains, and a climate-controlled wine cellar with an extensive collection of more than 250 wines from 12 of the premier winemaking countries in the world. A series of vintner weekends is held each spring, featuring wine dinners and seminars with premier West Coast vintners.