ADVENTURES AT THE
DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
EXPERIENCE YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURE
ADVENTURES AT THE
DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
EXPERIENCE YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURE
NORTHWEST MONTANA - AN OUTDOOR LOVER'S PARADISE
EXPLORE THE AREA
This one-of-a-kind Montana resort is surrounded by some of the most spectacular wilderness and recreation opportunities in the state
Double Arrow Ranch sits in the Seeley-Swan Valley, about halfway between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone (in that broad expanse known as “Montana’s Glacier Country”). Our location just outside the small town of Seeley Lake means we’re at the doorstep of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem – a vast, protected region of mountains, forests, and rivers. In fact, the ranch lies between two incredible wild areas: to the east, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (often simply called “The Bob”), and to the west, the Mission Mountains Wilderness and Flathead National Forest. This unique position gives our guests unparalleled access to outdoor adventures on all sides.
SEELEY LAKE, LOCATED JUST MINUTES FROM DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
The Seeley-Swan Valley itself is a destination worth exploring. Stretching roughly 90 miles north-to-south, this valley is “packed with hundreds of lakes and dense forests" and flanked by towering mountain ranges. It’s an angler’s and paddler’s dream: lakes large and small dot the landscape (there are more than 25 significant lakes in the chain, including Seeley, Salmon, Swan, Alva, Inez, and Placid Lakes). These waters offer excellent fishing (expect to catch trout, kokanee salmon, pike, and bass), as well as boating, kayaking, and swimming opportunities all summer long. The valley’s rivers – like the Clearwater River that connects many of the lakes – are gentle and great for float trips, while the nearby legendary Blackfoot River (just south of Seeley Lake) offers exciting whitewater rafting and world-class fly fishing on a blue-ribbon trout stream.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, AS SEEN FROM MOUNT GRINNELL
Outdoor adventure and exploration are truly at your fingertips here. Immediately bordering our community are public lands with trailheads leading into the wilderness. You can hike from a trail a few minutes’ drive away and end up deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, where you might not see another person all day – just mountain goats, alpine lakes, and pristine forests. Located less than 2 hours north is the stunning Glacier National Park, with its 700+ miles of hiking trails, 762 lakes, and 25 active glaciers – a must-see national treasure. About an hour to the south is the city of Missoula, but just beyond Missoula you’ll find the Bitterroot Valley and more hiking and fishing galore. To the west lies Flathead Lake (the largest freshwater lake in the western US) and the National Bison Range. In winter, several ski areas are within a reasonable drive, and the local snowmobile and cross-country ski scene in Seeley Lake is one of the best in the state.
Start your adventures today! From the ranch, you can set out in any direction and discover something amazing, whether it’s a hidden waterfall, a panoramic lookout, or a field of wildflowers in bloom. Below, we highlight just a few of the adventures that await.
Start your adventures today! From the ranch, you can set out in any direction and discover something amazing, whether it’s a hidden waterfall, a panoramic lookout, or a field of wildflowers in bloom. Below, we highlight just a few of the adventures that await.
THE SWAN VALLEY; BACKGROUND: THE SWAN MOUNTAINS, PART OF THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS
LAKE & WATER ADVENTURES
Double Arrow Ranch is surrounded by an abundance of lakes, rivers, and waterfalls
HOLLAND LAKE, JUST 30 MINUTES FROM DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
WATER SPORTS & RECREATION
When the snow melts, the Seeley-Swan Valley reveals its abundance of waterways. Seeley Lake (our namesake lake) is a centerpiece of summer fun. Measuring about 1.5 miles wide and 5 miles long, the lake is large enough for motorized water sports – wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and pontoon boating are all popular. You can rent speedboats or pontoon boats at the marina and spend a day cruising the lake’s clear waters. Anglers will be in heaven: Seeley Lake and nearby lakes are stocked with fish. Try fly fishing in the early morning or evening when the trout are rising – you might catch kokanee salmon or rainbow trout for dinner. The valley’s nickname could well be “Lake Country” – as an explorer notes, the drive is “packed with hundreds of lakes” offering endless recreational opportunities. Salmon Lake, just 10 miles south of Seeley, is another gem known for its scenery and great canoeing. Placid Lake, slightly west, has a state park with a swim beach and boat rentals, perfect for families.
When the snow melts, the Seeley-Swan Valley reveals its abundance of waterways. Seeley Lake (our namesake lake) is a centerpiece of summer fun. Measuring about 1.5 miles wide and 5 miles long, the lake is large enough for motorized water sports – wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and pontoon boating are all popular. You can rent speedboats or pontoon boats at the marina and spend a day cruising the lake’s clear waters. Anglers will be in heaven: Seeley Lake and nearby lakes are stocked with fish. Try fly fishing in the early morning or evening when the trout are rising – you might catch kokanee salmon or rainbow trout for dinner. The valley’s nickname could well be “Lake Country” – as an explorer notes, the drive is “packed with hundreds of lakes” offering endless recreational opportunities. Salmon Lake, just 10 miles south of Seeley, is another gem known for its scenery and great canoeing. Placid Lake, slightly west, has a state park with a swim beach and boat rentals, perfect for families.
SALMON LAKE NEAR DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
One unique way to experience the water here is by kayaking or paddleboarding on some of the smaller lakes and ponds that dot the valley – you may have an entire tranquil lake to yourself. The Clearwater River, which flows out of Seeley Lake, is a gentle river stretch ideal for tubing or an easy float trip on a raft (a wonderful way to spend a hot July afternoon). For those seeking more thrill, the nearby Blackfoot River (30 minutes south) offers class I-III rapids, and guided rafting trips can be arranged – this is the famous river from Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It, known for its beauty and fly fishing.
Swimmers will find the waters refreshing but swimmable by mid-summer; many lakes have public access with small beaches. On Seeley Lake, you can paddle to undeveloped shores for a private picnic, or find the rope swing locals use to splash into the water. And let’s not forget wildlife viewing – while on the water you might see loons (Seeley Lake is known for its common loon population), ducks, turtles, and maybe even a moose taking a dip near the shoreline!
Swimmers will find the waters refreshing but swimmable by mid-summer; many lakes have public access with small beaches. On Seeley Lake, you can paddle to undeveloped shores for a private picnic, or find the rope swing locals use to splash into the water. And let’s not forget wildlife viewing – while on the water you might see loons (Seeley Lake is known for its common loon population), ducks, turtles, and maybe even a moose taking a dip near the shoreline!
NATIONAL FORESTS & WILDERNESS
The lands around Double Arrow Ranch are a hiker’s and hunter’s paradise
THE CHINESE WALL, BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS
WILDERNESS ADVENTURES
The ranch directly borders portions of the Lolo National Forest and is a short hop from trailheads into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex spans over 1.5 million acres of unspoiled wilderness, making it one of the largest protected areas in the Lower 48. Here you’ll find towering peaks (up to 9,000 feet), clear rivers, and abundant wildlife including elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears. Popular nearby hikes include a trek to Holland Falls (a beautiful waterfall at the edge of Holland Lake), the Morrell Falls Trail just north of Seeley (an easy hike to a double cascade), and more challenging multi-day backpacking routes like into the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall (for experienced adventurers).
The ranch directly borders portions of the Lolo National Forest and is a short hop from trailheads into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex spans over 1.5 million acres of unspoiled wilderness, making it one of the largest protected areas in the Lower 48. Here you’ll find towering peaks (up to 9,000 feet), clear rivers, and abundant wildlife including elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears. Popular nearby hikes include a trek to Holland Falls (a beautiful waterfall at the edge of Holland Lake), the Morrell Falls Trail just north of Seeley (an easy hike to a double cascade), and more challenging multi-day backpacking routes like into the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall (for experienced adventurers).
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, SWIFTCURRENT AREA
To the west, the Mission Mountains offer more alpine hiking – summiting Mt. Seeley or Gray Wolf Peak will test avid climbers, while the Mission Mountains Wilderness is also home to serene places like Turquoise Lake and Rainbow Lake, reachable by steep trails with rewarding vistas.
Hunters will appreciate that the surrounding forests are rich with game in season – elk, whitetail and mule deer, upland birds, and waterfowl are all pursued by sportsmen here (with proper licenses). There are also opportunities for guided backcountry hunting trips that depart from local outfitters.
Hunters will appreciate that the surrounding forests are rich with game in season – elk, whitetail and mule deer, upland birds, and waterfowl are all pursued by sportsmen here (with proper licenses). There are also opportunities for guided backcountry hunting trips that depart from local outfitters.
MORRELL FALLS NEAR DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
For a change of pace, plan a day trip to Glacier National Park (roughly a 2-hour drive north via a beautiful route along the Swan River and Flathead Lake). Glacier Park spans more than 1,500 square miles and features the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, offering access to high alpine scenery and trailheads. You can hike to Hidden Lake, visit Logan Pass, or take a boat tour on St. Mary Lake – then be back at your cozy ranch cabin by nightfall. Closer by (about 1 hour north) is the Jewel Basin Hiking Area, a gem within the Flathead National Forest known for its numerous alpine lakes and panoramic ridge hikes.
No matter which direction you venture, you’ll find that this region of Montana remains unspoiled and uncrowded. Often you’ll have a trail entirely to yourself, or you might share it with just a few friendly locals. Remember to bring your camera – and your sense of wonder. From dense old-growth cedar forests to high-elevation wildflower meadows, from the call of a loon on a still lake to the bugle of a bull elk on a crisp fall morning, the natural experiences here are second to none.
No matter which direction you venture, you’ll find that this region of Montana remains unspoiled and uncrowded. Often you’ll have a trail entirely to yourself, or you might share it with just a few friendly locals. Remember to bring your camera – and your sense of wonder. From dense old-growth cedar forests to high-elevation wildflower meadows, from the call of a loon on a still lake to the bugle of a bull elk on a crisp fall morning, the natural experiences here are second to none.
THE MAGIC OF WINTER
Double Arrow Ranch and surrounding areas offer many winter adventures to suit every passion
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING NEAR DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
SNOW SPORTS
Winter in the Seeley Lake area is nothing short of magical for snow lovers. A highlight is the extensive snowmobile trail network– over 350 miles of groomed trails crisscross the Swan and Mission mountain valleys, accessible right from Seeley Lake. Riders of all levels can explore these trails, which wind through snowy forests, up to scenic overlooks, and even connect to quaint backcountry warming huts. Guided snowmobile tours are available for newcomers, or you can rent machines and strike out on your own. If snowmobiling isn’t your speed, the area also boasts a world-class 18 km cross-country ski trail system maintained locally. These groomed Nordic trails, located just minutes from the ranch, offer loops for beginners and advanced skiers alike – glide through hushed pine forests and open meadows with mountain vistas.
Winter in the Seeley Lake area is nothing short of magical for snow lovers. A highlight is the extensive snowmobile trail network– over 350 miles of groomed trails crisscross the Swan and Mission mountain valleys, accessible right from Seeley Lake. Riders of all levels can explore these trails, which wind through snowy forests, up to scenic overlooks, and even connect to quaint backcountry warming huts. Guided snowmobile tours are available for newcomers, or you can rent machines and strike out on your own. If snowmobiling isn’t your speed, the area also boasts a world-class 18 km cross-country ski trail system maintained locally. These groomed Nordic trails, located just minutes from the ranch, offer loops for beginners and advanced skiers alike – glide through hushed pine forests and open meadows with mountain vistas.
SNOWMOBILING NEAR DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
Downhill skiers and snowboarders can find alpine action as well. Montana Snowbowl ski area (approx. 60 miles south) offers challenging terrain and powder glades for a day trip, while Whitefish Mountain Resort (near Glacier) or Discovery Ski Area (near Philipsburg) are further options for those willing to venture a bit farther. Closer to home, families often enjoy the hometown ski hill vibe of Blacktail Mountain (near Flathead Lake) or simply sledding on the gentle hills around the ranch. And for a truly enchanting winter experience, bundle up for a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the ranch (complete with jingling bells and hot cocoa) or try ice fishing on Seeley Lake’s frozen surface. Winter days here can be active and adrenaline-filled or peaceful and cozy – it’s your choice.
EPIC MONTANA ADVENTURES
Authentic Montana Living
PRAIRIE AT PAWS UP RESORT - 30 MINUTES FROM DOUBLE ARROW RANCH
Authentic Montana Living, Epic Montana Adventures - that’s what Double Arrow Ranch offers. This is more than just a place to stay; it’s a gateway to adventure. Spark your sense of adventure and let us be your home base for exploring the countless wonders of Western Montana. Whether you seek the thrill of winter sports or the tranquility of a summer sunset over the lake, you’ll find that Double Arrow Ranch provides the perfect balance of comfort and proximity to nature’s splendor. Come discover the magic of Montana from here – your ultimate four-season adventure awaits!
SUNSET AT THE DOUBLE ARROW RANCH