Bozeman Magazine

Custer Gallatin National Forest and Ranch Preservation invite you to the historic O.T.O. Dude Ranch for an Open House to tour the ranch, learn about its part in the history of dude ranching and current role as wildlife habitat. From June 25-August 12, the ranch has played host to Ranch Preservation’s Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch, produced in cooperation with Custer Gallatin National Forest, which offered dude ranch stays to guests for the second season in over 80 years. A portion of every booked reservation will be donated toward preservation and restoration of the historic ranch, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After the final guests have left, on August 19, you can tour the main lodge and cabins with dude ranch stylings, meet the horses and learn all about the O.T.O. Food and beverages will be available for sale (cash only), as well as a raffle for a True Ranch Collection dude ranch vacation with ticket sales donated to the Yellowstone Community Fund. O.T.O. merchandise will be available for sale with proceeds benefitting the ranch’s future restoration. RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE GARDINER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRIOR TO OPEN HOUSE Raffle Info & Terms: https://trueranchcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-YCF-Dude-Ranch-Vacation-Raffle-Terms.pdf THIS IS A CASH ONLY EVENT. ONE-WAY TIMED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS: Due to the narrow, one-lane mountain road that accesses the O.T.O., vehicle traffic will be timed: Uphill traffic (to the O.T.O.) will begin from Cedar Creek Trailhead at the top of each hour of the event and open for visitors for 15 minutes until 15 past the hour. Please plan your arrival time accordingly: Entrance to the ranch by driving will be permitted only from 9:00-9:15 AM, 10:00-10:15 AM, 11:00-11:15 AM, 12:00-12:15 PM, 1:00-1:15 PM, 2:00-2:15 PM and the last entrance timeframe will be from 3:00-3:15 PM. Downhill traffic (leaving the O.T.O.) will begin from the O.T.O. at 30 past each hour and stop at 45 past each hour. The last vehicle departure of the day will take place from 3:30-3:45 PM. Please plan your arrival and departure accordingly and bring a vehicle capable of driving a steep one-lane mountain road. You may also park at the Cedar Creek Trailhead and hike up to the ranch (approximately 1.5 miles). Directions: Heading south on Highway 89 toward Gardiner, turn left onto OTO Ranch Road and park in the trailhead parking lot to await instructions. OTO Ranch Road is the first left after Cedar Creek Road. Heading north on Highway 89 toward Livingston, turn right onto OTO Ranch Road and park in the trailhead parking lot and await instructions.