USA - The Hideout

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Sunday
Check in any time after 2 pm. Today is a day of getting settled and meet & greet the owners and other guests. The only “scheduled” activity is cocktails and dinner in the evening.

Monday
After breakfast join the riding Orientation, with a short morning ride and a full half day trail ride in the afternoon. In the evening at cocktails, riders will sign up for what they want to do Tuesday – half day rides, full day ride, fly fishing, trapshooting, hiking, biking, etc.

Tuesday through Friday
Riders will do the activities signed up for the evening before - Guests are offered a variety of riding options each day. This can be from 2.5 hours in the saddle up to and over 8 hours in the saddle. 

Saturday
Enjoy one last breakfast before checking out and starting the journey home.  Checkout by 10 am.

There are a number of trails to select from. Below are examples of just a few, which are dependant on weather conditions and the ability of the riders. 
Spring, early Summer and late Autumn: 
High Desert and Canyons in the Shell Valley - half day ride, ranging in elevation from 4200-5400 feet - riding mostly in the valley riding through wide open prairies, juniper trees and rocky hidden canyons.
Early summer:
Mountain pastures, Alpine Meadows and High Country - riding through sage brush and high grass, with a variety of terrain above 7500 feet
Devils Leap - Intermediate riders - the ride features undulating red clay hills capped by wild grasses, sage and cacti. Culminates in a breath taking vista from atop the Devils Leap, which drops 800 feet below riders
White Creek and Trapper Creek Canyon - half day ride - the ride winds through a picturesque tree canopied path, past old timber corals, over a wooden bridge and opens into a wide open lane perfect for cantering. The trail snakes through the canyon with several crossing of White and Trapper Creek.
July through late September:  
Willet Lake - a high altitude ride in The Big Horn National Forest, through open alpine meadows and pine forest to a picturesque mountain lake surrounded by alpine meadows.
The Painted Hills - half day ride - wandering among mounds the Indians call The Painted Hills - beautifully coloured hills due to the ancient minerals mixed with Bentonite.
The Sedona Ride - An area near Trapper Creek ranch, displaying red, exposed Chugwater formations and half-desert prairies with cactus, coyotes and rattle snakes!
The Five Fingers Ride - A popular valley ride through rocky canyons with juniper trees and high desert, while travelling along the slopes of the Big Horn Mountains, rising 2000 feet along the trail as a huge granite wall
Autumn, Winter and Spring:  
McCullough Peak Mustang Country - a high desert area shared with the McCullough Peak Mustangs.

Non Rider activities:  Fly fishing, Trapshooting, Hiking, Biking, unguided fly fishing (May - Oct), Hot Tub & Outdoor Lap Pool, Guided fly-fishing (charges apply).

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The ranch has over 100 horses. The herd comprises Quarter horses and a well trained Mustangs. Western tack is used, and wranglers do all tacking to ensure guest and horse safety.

Novices: Riding lessons are offered in very small groups and if possible, individually. 

Advanced and Intermediate riders will find that the horses are accustomed to the terrain of this region. There are different levels of horses for different levels of riders and they are exceptionally responsive and well schooled. The riding is at all paces where the riders' ability and terrain allow.

When riding out the ranch, consider the different levels of riders and their expectations. If you are an advanced rider and some members of your family, friends or partner are beginner or novice riders; we will make sure they have a great time. When riding together the ride will be adapted to the level of riding of the least experienced rider to keep the ride safe and enjoyable.

A small herd of cattle is kept to allow guests to work on stockmanship and western skills

The ranch has a fleet of 7 immaculate trucks with horse trailer and horses are trailered (already saddled) to 95% of the rides to ensure the maximum variety and scenic time. 

Riders of all levels are catered for. Wranglers do all tacking to ensure guest and horse safety.

Strict weight limit of 230 pounds (104kg) fully dressed to ride and guests may be weighed upon arrival.

The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The western-style log cabins were built in 1992 and are decorated with comfortable furnishings in warm colors. All units are kept sparkling clean and well-maintained. Lawns surround the five duplex cabins, which are connected to the main lodge, other cabins, lap pool and hot tub by well-lit paved pathways.

The Lodge & Guest Ranch is well appointed and follow a strict maintenance and improvement program.

All cabins complete with modern bathrooms with showers, Choice of King-sized bed and sofa, or two queen size or double beds, Air-conditioning and heat, Wireless internet and phone with complimentary long distance within the United States, Guest handbook and complimentary snack basket, Mini fridge – Complimentary bottle of wine, Nespresso coffee maker and condiments. An outside porch with views and rocking chairs.

The guest ranch caters to your every comfort. In addition to complimentary toiletries, hairdryers and bathrobes are also provided for you to use during your stay. There are guest laundry facilities with soap and fabric softener for exclusive use by guests and laundry baskets in each room.

The Ranch serves good food with menus that change according to the seasons. All meals are included in your package. In the mornings there is a breakfast buffet. For all-day rides, sandwiches are provided for you to take with you on the trail. For those choosing a half day activity, lunch is served in the dining room of the main lodge. In the evening expect Western Style food with beer, wine, or beverage of your choice. There is also the daily cocktail hour, during which one of the owners or wranglers will visit to discuss the next day's activities. 

Cocktail hour and dinner attire. While you are a guest at the ranch, jeans and button-down shirts are the most commonly worn attire and accepted at all times including cocktail hour. However, people do get cleaned up in the evening for cocktails and dinner. If you dress as if you were going to go to dinner at a casual sit-down restaurant, you will be perfectly attired for the evening

Most dietary restrictions can be catered for within reason, and these must be requested on booking. We are happy to meet common dietary restrictions, but due to the remote location​​​​​​, we can not accommodate vegan or other more complicated diets.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. You should be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, you are normally not eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

In Wyoming, the summers are warm, muggy, and wet; the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -3°C to 30°C and is rarely below -10°C or above 35°C.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

BE AWARE: There are restrictions and prohibitions on the import of certain prescription drugs into the US. The USA Food and Drug Administration website contains further information and advice on bringing medicines into the USA.

Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

You should take suitable steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks. There are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

Health authorities have classified the USA as having a risk of Zika virus transmission in Florida and a few parts of Texas

You can contact the emergency services by calling 911.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the USA and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In the USA the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).

No cell phone service anywhere on the ranch or in town. There is WiFi in all cabins and the Lodge, but not in town. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

▪ Riding helmet, recommended for everyone, and mandatory for children 14 and under*
▪ Riding boots (cowboy boot style, long boots or short boots with chaps) no trainers or chunky hiking boots to be worn when riding.
▪ Sunscreen and Lip Balm with sunscreen (very important year-round)
▪ Sunglasses
▪ Wide-brimmed hat (stampede string mandatory and we have them for sale in the shop)
▪ Rain slicker or waterproof raincoat (VERY IMPORTANT even in the summer)
▪ Warm coat, sweater or jacket (depending on the season, but always bring a warm layer)
▪ Comfortable riding jeans
▪ Chaps/Chinks – not required but may be helpful
▪ Tall boot socks to prevent chafing (for both women & men)
▪ Leather or warm gloves (for warmth when it is cool and to protect from sunburn when hot)
▪ Long-sleeved shirts for protection against high-altitude sun
▪ Base Layers, long underwear or tights for warmth on cool days (Winter, Spring and Fall)
▪ Thermal socks (Winter, Spring and Fall)
▪ Clothing that can be layered
▪ Water Shoes/Sandals/Shorts for fly-fishing
▪ Bathing Suit, sandals, cover-up for pool in the summer and for the hot-tub year round
▪ Optional bicycle shorts for extra padding on your backside when horseback riding
▪ Small Camera/Phone with Camera (no cameras carried around your neck when riding and the
pommel bags won’t carry a large camera)

Supplied:
▪ Hair dryers, bathrobes and complimentary toiletry items in guest rooms
▪ Small saddle bag that goes over the saddle horn for your use (to carry water bottles, lunch,
phone, sunscreen, chapstick, etc.)
▪ Reusable water bottles

* Although the ranch does have helmets to lend in most common sizes, they cannot guarantee proper fit and guests are advised to bring their own.

Please leave spurs at home. The horses are well-trained and willing, and guests will not be allowed to wear spurs when riding. There is an on-site shop which stocks long sleeve western shirts, silk scarves (not cotton bandanas), vests, gloves, stampede strings and cowboy hats. There are local Western stores in Billings and Cody with reasonable prices where it is possible to buy jeans and boots.

7 days / 6 nights / 5 riding days or 14 days / 13 nights / 12 riding days. Sunday arrivals on set dates.

Open 30 March to 26 October 2025. Sunday arrivals.
Low Season 30 Mar - 18 May
High Season 25 May - 12 Oct
Mid Season 19 - 26 Oct

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E. Annie Proulx’s three books of Wyoming short stories (“Close Range”, “Bad Dirt”, “Fine just the way it is”)

Mary O’Hara’s “Flicka” triology.

The Virginian” by Owen Wister (a classic one) and

Zane Grey’s Western novels.

C.J. Box (i.e. “Open Season”) and

Craig Johnson (i.e. “The Cold Dish”).

Cowboy poet Baxter Black 

“Where Rivers change Direction”, a memoir by Mark Spragg about life on an early dude ranch.

“Where the Rivers Run North” by Sam Morton, a historical novel.

“The Meadow” by James Galwin.

Lone Star: A History Of Texas And The Texans by by T. Fehrenbach 

Discovering Natural Horsemanship: A Beginner's Odyssey by Tom Moates.

.Monty Roberts books, particularly ‘The Horse Whisperer’

Notes From A Big Country by Bill Bryson and

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck.

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Trap shooting and Hiking/Biking (included in price, Apr - Nov), Guided Fly Fishing (additional cost, Jun - Aug); Unguided fly fishing (included in price, May - Oct), Hot Tub & Outdoor Lap Pool (included in price, Jun - Aug)

Mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose, black bears, mountain lions, fox, rabbit, jackrabbit

The USA has 4 main times zones - Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST) and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Vermont is on EST, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah are all on MST, California is on PST. Weights and measures are imperial although weight is always expressed in pounds, not stone. The US gallon is 3.8 litres in contrast to an imperial gallon which is 4.2 litres. Mobile telephone: 4G and 5G is widely available throughout the US in cities, towns, villages and along main highways with AT&T having the best overall coverage and T-mobile offering better speeds in cities. There is NO cell reception at the ranch, but there is WiFi in our saloon and office. There are still a few rural areas which have the older CDMA telephone networks. To be able to call from these areas we recommend buying a cheap Verizon phone from eg Walmart (from $13) and topping up with credit. Almost all hotels and airports offer free wifi connection.