Activities
Activities are centered on our daily ranch operations which include cattle drives, gathering, sorting, branding and shipping cattle. Padlock guests learn the fine art of cattle handling and horsemanship as they ride our awe inspiring grassy plains. Hone your stockmanship skills while gathering cattle in the historic Wolf Mountains or the majestic forested Big Horn mountains. With approximately 10,000 head of mother cows grazing on nearly ½ million acres across Wyoming and Montana, there is a lot of riding and cattle work to be done. Guests are welcome to join in all ranch activities to the extent they desire.
Our typical summer season:
- Gathering and Trailing cattle, also know as cattle drives, are an integral part of ranch life from May all the way until the end of September.
- During May, if you can handle a mother cow with a young calf at side, you’re a long way down the road to being a ranch cowboy. Riders are frequently moving cow/calf pairs providing golden opportunities to practice stockmanship.
- June is the time for brandings and learning some of the finer points of cowboy etiquette. …it’s about getting the job done efficiently and effectively.
- July work includes sorting cattle and then trailing them to summer rangeland pastures while working on horsemanship skills.
- August is the time of riding purposeful miles opportune for working on horsemanship and riding herd health in the scenic beauty of the Big Horn Mountains.
- September gatherings of yearlings from Wolf Mountain and fall cattle drives are especially challenging and rewarding.
- Stockmanship is the focus on safe and effective methods of stock handling. Ranch horsemanship enhances the partnership between cowboy (or cowgirl!) and horse. These skills are used on a day-to-day basis at the Padlock Ranch promoting sustainability of the ranching lifestyle both in the arena and on the range.
If guests want to kick back for a day and not participate in the regular ranch work, that is fine. You are welcome to take scenic trail rides right from the Lodge or enjoy nature walks and wildlife viewing. The ranch has many varieties of animals including deer, antelope, elk, bear, coyotes, fox, bobcat, and raccoon. On their outings, guests may also encounter bald eagles, golden eagles, pheasants, grouse, turkeys and various types of song birds and water fowl. If guests want a short, off ranch excursion, there are many historical sites and battle fields nearby, including the Battle of the Little Bighorn National Monument.
Our guests are guaranteed to work up an appetite, so they can expect delicious home cooked meals served family style with fresh baked breads and desserts. The day starts with a hardy cowboy breakfast served at 6:00 am. Tasty box lunches are served on the trail, on the range, or wherever else guests are for the day. Satisfying ranch style dinners will be served at the end of the day. Special diets are catered to with advance notice.
As the sun begins to set, guests may linger over dessert and enjoy the camaraderie reliving highlights of the day, take a relaxing walk along the creek, sit and enjoy the views from your private deck, or enjoy a nice long soak in the hot tub. Whatever guests choose, we are here to make your ranch experience fun, educational, fulfilling, and something you will want to experience over again.