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From luxury treehouses at The Green O to fireside dining and golden-larch hikes, this iconic Montana ranch resort proves that rugged wilderness and refined indulgence can live side by side.
“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast—you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” ~Eddie Cantor (Tiny Buddha)
***Voted #8 Best Resort in the World by Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards***
Paws Up Montana is a property I’ve had on my radar for nearly two decades. Earlier this year, a fellow travel writer posted about her stay, and it was the nudge I needed to finally carpe diem my way to Montana’s “Last Best Place.”
Getting There
Stay in a fabulous treehouse in The Green O at Paws Up. Video Marika Flatt.
From Texas, you’ll fly into Missoula, Montana, where the Big Sky country instantly captures your heart. Just 35 miles northeast, tucked into 37,000 acres of pristine wilderness, sits The Resort at Paws Up—a luxurious working ranch that blends authentic western charm with indulgent modern comfort.
What’s in a Name?
The name “Paws Up” comes straight from the heart. Owner Nadine Lipson, a devoted dog lover, named the property after the way dogs show their joy—raising their paws in pure happiness. That same spirit radiates throughout the ranch, from the welcoming staff to the free-roaming animals and relaxed pace of life.
Where to Stay: Green O
We stayed in Green O, the resort’s exclusive, adults-only enclave—private, peaceful, and utterly captivating. Our luxury treehouse felt like something out of a design magazine, with floors connected by spiral staircases and wrapped in floor-to-ceiling forest views.
The main floor featured a cozy living area, fireplace, and oversized chaise—perfect for curling up with a good book and a glass of rosé as golden leaves showed off outside. Upstairs, the bedroom’s panoramic windows made waking up to the Montana woods an unforgettable experience.
Green O also boasts its own restaurant, Social Haus, reserved only for guests in this secluded corner of Paws Up—a culinary sanctuary in the trees.
Ranch Life Elevated
Paws Up is a real working ranch (think of the popular series Yellowstone). You’ll spot herds of cattle, bison, and horses roaming on the range. A local legend named Tyrone, a bison-longhorn mix, is something of a celebrity among returning guests.
In autumn, the landscape glows with western larch trees, their needles turning bright gold—rivaling New England’s fall foliage. Though open year-round, fall may just be the sweet spot for mild days, crisp nights, and fewer crowds. (Peak season runs the summer months of June through August, as families fill the cabins during the school break.)
Details That Delight
- There’s an on-site two-room schoolhouse, over 100 years old, still teaching a dozen local students (K–8).
- At 3,500 feet elevation, guests can enjoy complimentary tennis, basketball, and pickleball alongside an array of paid adventure activities.
- Through a partnership with Lexus, certain packages even include the use of a luxury vehicle to explore the sprawling property in comfort and style.
- And perhaps my favorite tip: you can leave your fancy clothes at home. At Paws Up, jeans and a cozy sweater are all you need—even for dinner.
Dining Under the Big Sky
The smashburger from Trough hits the spot for lunch. Video Marika Flatt.
Tank & Trough
This casual bar and grill offers hearty Montana fare (like Montana nachos and bison chili) and local beers on tap. As we walked in, Willie Nelson’s rendition of “Bubbles in My Beer” played softly overhead—a perfect Texas-meets-Montana moment. The truffle fries are a must, and their smashburger is perfectly paired with a local lager.
Pomp
Pomp Steakhouse has the perfect date night vibe. Video Marika Flatt.
The resort’s signature steakhouse leans into the western aesthetic but with refined flair. Our three-course meal featured a smoked chicken risotto, ricotta gnocchi, and Atlantic scallops that paired beautifully with a Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.
Social Haus
Exclusive to Green O guests and surrounded by forest and flickering firepits, this is where we spent our meals savoring menus that keep regular guests returning. The bounty displayed is like a love letter to the nature that surrounds it.
Mornings at Social Haus are slow, soothing, and deliciously indulgent. Sunlight filters through the pines as guests linger over breakfast, beginning with a soufflé omelet and a side of crisp hash brown patties paired with the kitchen’s tangy housemade ketchup. Don’t miss warm toast slathered with sweet-tart Montana huckleberry jam. And for tea lovers, the extensive hot tea menu—featuring everything from delicate white teas to robust breakfast blends—makes it easy to sip, savor, and watch the forest wake up around you.
Sparkling wine to kick off the tasting menu at the Social Haus. Video Marika Flatt.
As day turns to dusk, Social Haus transforms into a culinary retreat among the trees. The daily-changing tasting menu is a journey through culinary artistry. One evening, our six-course dinner began with a whimsical amuse of Sleeping Beauty cheese fondue before unfolding into a delicate squash course layered with pumpkin, walnut, and kale. Each wine pairing was thoughtfully chosen—from a crisp French white with turnip and celery root, to a lush Santa Barbara Pinot Noir with tender chicken. A bold Beringer Cabernet perfectly complemented the Wagyu beef crowned with black truffle, followed by a sparkling interlude of olive oil and honey, and finally, a mint chocolate dessert finale.
On our last night, we started with an arancini-style amuse and savored an heirloom tomato course kissed with agramato oil—but the showstopper was the black cod with Japanese mushrooms, paired with an Oregon white Riesling from Big Salt Winery in Dundee Hills. Every course felt intentional, intimate, and inspired by the natural beauty just beyond the glass walls.
Adventures Await
There’s something magical about exploring the Montana wilderness from this base of barefoot luxury. Our scenic e-bike tour wound along ranch roads beside the Blackfoot River—deer sightings included. A guided hike through the Anaconda Trail revealed the quiet majesty of the ranch’s private forest, while a sound bath (which isn’t a bath at all) meditation in the yoga studio offered pure restorative serenity.
The resort’s most popular activities remain timeless: horseback riding with a seasoned wrangler and fly fishing on the legendary Blackfoot River.
At The Resort at Paws Up, time seems to slow amid the trees. Mornings begin with coffee (delivered to your treehouse door) by the fire and end with Montana stars whispering you to sleep. Whether you come for adventure, romance, or simply to recharge, you’ll leave understanding why staff call this “The Last Best Place.”
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Cover photo Marika Flatt
Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career in 2002, and can be seen as a contributor on TV shows across Texas, such as Great Day Houston, San Antonio Living, Spectrum News, Dallas’ Good Morning Texas, Daytime, and Studio 512! Marika spent five years as the voice of the “Weekend Trip Tip” on NPR’s Texas Standard pre-Covid. Follow Marika on Instagram.
