Paws Up Montana Review: Five Days at Cliffside Camp
Book Paws Up if you want a luxury ranch stay built around doing things, not just looking at Montana from a deck. Our five days at Cliffside Camp delivered the active, high-comfort Western trip we had hoped for: cattle driving, fly fishing, sporting clays, campfires, and a riverfront tent that made the downtime as strong as the schedule.
At night at Cliffside Camp, we pulled the heated blanket over us, left the canvas door open, and listened to the Blackfoot River rush below. I am not sure I have ever slept more soundly. The river was loud enough to fill the tent, but so steady that it seemed to settle the entire camp around us. Some evenings we took bubble baths in the copper tub at the foot of the bed. On others, our camp butler built a fire in the rain, brought hot tea, and set out everything for s’mores. Those nights alone would make me want to return to Eagle’s Nest. The luxury was not just the amenities. It was how completely we could settle into that one stretch of Montana.
By day, the trip was far less still. The clearest memory from our five days at Paws Up is looking past the ears of Rambler, the horse I rode for both the trail ride and cattle drive, toward 67 horned cattle and realizing that the herd was now partly our responsibility. We had to move the cattle around trees, over hills, through ravines, and toward another pasture, working with the wranglers and the riders around us. When the herd stopped at the river to drink, we stopped with it. The cattle drive was not something we watched. It was something we did, and by the end I understood why my wife said she felt like a real cowboy.
That is the point of this Paws Up Montana review: the resort’s comfort gives you the confidence to participate. You can spend the morning learning to handle a horse, the afternoon floating the Blackfoot with a fly rod, or three hours working through a sporting-clays course, then return to a hot bath, a prepared fire, and a tent where the river is still the last sound you hear.
Our recommendation is simple: yes, absolutely. We stayed four nights, from June 26 through June 30, 2026, traveling as a couple in Cliffside Camp #6, known as Eagle’s Nest. We rode horses, drove cattle, floated and fished the river, practiced archery, shot a 10-station clays course, biked through the forest, ate huckleberry-jam pancakes every morning, and wore the branded cowboy hats we had received during our earlier Green O stay from breakfast through dinner. The trip felt active without becoming exhausting and luxurious without separating us from the landscape we had come to experience. It was one of those rare stays that was better than the version we had imagined beforehand.
Disclosure: This stay was arranged in partnership with Paws Up.
Paws Up Montana Review Verdict: Should You Book?
Yes, absolutely. Paws Up is one of the easiest resort recommendations I can make for travelers who want real outdoor adventure with the comfort and service of a full luxury resort. It is a particularly strong fit for couples who want active days without roughing it, families who need a broad activity menu, and groups whose members have different levels of riding, fishing, or shooting experience. We would return tomorrow, repeat the cattle drive and sporting clays, and request Eagle’s Nest again without hesitation.
- Location: Greenough, Montana, about 35 miles from Missoula Montana Airport
- Our dates: June 26 to June 30, 2026
- Length: Four nights and five calendar days
- Accommodation: Eagle’s Nest, Cliffside Camp #6
- Strongest activity: The three-and-a-half-hour cattle drive
- Other priorities: Half-day fly fishing, one-hour trail riding, and three-hour sporting clays
- Good for: Couples, families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who prefer participation to pool time
- Less suited to: Travelers who want an adults-only retreat, a self-contained spa trip, or a stay built primarily around fine dining
Paws Up covers 37,000 acres, with 100 miles of trails and 10 miles of the Blackfoot River. The resort holds Two MICHELIN Keys, but the acreage matters more than the accolade once the stay begins. Activities, camps, dining venues, and the main village occupy different parts of the ranch, so each day shows you a different section of the property.
What the resort package includes
The current Paws Up package includes three meals each day, selected beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks, snacks, round-trip Missoula airport transfers, on-demand transportation around the ranch, access to the fitness center, nightly campfires, and gratuities. Guided activities and spa treatments cost extra. That distinction matters when budgeting because the cattle drive, fly fishing, riding, and sporting clays can add a meaningful amount to a couple’s stay.
For current awards, booking information, and resort details, see the Paws Up hotel page on Pearl.
Cliffside Camp #6 at Paws Up: Eagle’s Nest
Request Eagle’s Nest if you want the most private-feeling Cliffside Camp tent and a direct Blackfoot River view. The Paws Up team met us after our flight, helped with the luggage, and had snacks waiting in the shuttle. There was nothing complicated to coordinate after landing. We could sit down, eat something, and let the drive from Missoula begin the transition into the ranch.
Our first real “we’re in Montana” moment came when we reached Cliffside Camp. We could hear the Blackfoot before we had unpacked and then saw the canvas tent that would be ours for the next four nights. Eagle’s Nest sits in the most secluded position at the camp and, in our opinion, has its strongest view. The river bends directly below it, with a bench and hammock between the tent and the water.
Cliffside Camp has six safari-style tents perched above the confluence of the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek. Eagle’s Nest had a king bed, a copper tub at the foot of it, an ensuite bathroom with heated floors and dual vanities, a private deck, air conditioning, heat, electricity, and Wi-Fi. It felt spacious enough to settle into for several nights, not like a novelty room that becomes inconvenient after the first evening. The warm bathroom floor was particularly welcome after returning wet or sore from an activity.
The feature I remember most was the sound. We would leave the tent door open, pull up the heated blanket, and lie in bed listening to the Blackfoot rush below us. I do not know if I have ever had better sleep. After riding or shooting, we would fill the copper tub and take a bubble bath while the river remained audible through the canvas walls, then climb into a warm bed with that same sound continuing through the night.
We used that tub every day. It became the reset between the physical part of the trip and the evening: boots off, soak after horses or the range, then get ready for dinner. The combination of the deep copper tub, heated bathroom floor, and river outside made the tent luxurious in practice rather than merely photogenic.
The camp butler completed the experience. Whenever we asked, the team built a fire outside, including on rainy evenings, and set out s’mores and hot tea. They also made custom cocktails and kept us supplied with snacks, tea, and other drinks. One night we returned from dinner to find everything ready. We did not need to gather wood, work around the weather, or ask twice. We just sat down beside the fire.
That service never made the camp feel formal. We were fortunate to have most of Cliffside almost entirely to ourselves, and Eagle’s Nest felt especially private at the end of the camp. The dining pavilion remained close enough for breakfast, while the tent, hammock, and riverbank felt like our own corner of the ranch.
Our Five-Day Paws Up Itinerary and Activities
Plan four nights if you want the cattle drive, fly fishing, sporting clays, and enough camp time to enjoy the tent. The trip worked because the days alternated between focused activities and enough open time to recover, explore, or stay near the river. Saturday paired a private trail ride with fly fishing and the social Big Sky Bash. Sunday centered on the cattle drive and ended with the Chuck Wagon Dinner beside the Blackfoot. Monday slowed down before Pomp, and sporting clays gave our departure day one final major experience.
Friday, June 26: arrival and camp dinner
We arrived Friday and had dinner at the Cliffside Camp Dining Pavilion at 6:00 p.m. Keeping the first night at camp was the right pacing. We could unpack, learn the layout, hear the river, and meet the camp team without crossing the property again after the airport transfer.
Saturday, June 27: trail riding, fly fishing, and Big Sky Bash
Breakfast began at 7:00 a.m. Our one-hour trail ride started at 10:00, followed by lunch at leisure and a 1:00 p.m. half-day guided fly-fishing float. Big Sky Bash began at The Yard at 6:30 p.m. It was the busiest day on paper, but the trail ride and river float had completely different rhythms, so the day never felt repetitive.
Sunday, June 28: the cattle drive and Chuck Wagon Dinner
Sunday started with camp breakfast and an open lunch period. The cattle drive began at 2:00 p.m. and ran about three and a half hours. At 6:00 p.m., we moved from the riding experience to the Chuck Wagon Dinner beside the Blackfoot River. This became the defining day of the trip.
Monday, June 29: archery, open time, and Pomp
Monday gave us a slower morning and lunch at leisure before dinner at Pomp at 7:00 p.m. Before dinner, we used the open archery practice range. It was a lower-key session where we could learn the basics and shoot at our own pace.
Tuesday, June 30: sporting clays and departure day
Our final scheduled activity was sporting clays at 9:00 a.m. at Wilderness Outpost. It lasted three hours. Ending with shooting worked because it was active and coached without requiring another full afternoon, leaving enough time to return, change, and prepare for departure.
Horseback riding and the 67-cattle drive
Book the cattle drive first, then use a one-hour trail ride beforehand if you are rusty or new to riding. The Saturday trail ride was just my wife, me, and our guide. That privacy gave us time to listen, ask questions, and become comfortable with the horses without worrying about holding up a larger group. The pace was quiet. We moved through the property, watched the ground change under the horses, and used the hour as a reset before the more demanding cattle drive the next day.
The horses we remember by name were Repeat, Rambler, and Brass. I rode Rambler on Saturday and asked for him again Sunday. Paws Up was able to accommodate the request, which meant I began the cattle drive already familiar with how he responded.
Learning how the cattle drive works
The cattle drive began with instruction. The wranglers explained how to handle the horses, how the riders would position themselves, and how the group would respond when part of the herd moved in the wrong direction. Our drive had six guest riders and three wranglers, although the experience can run with as few as two guests. Paws Up uses Corriente cattle, which the resort describes as roughly 800 pounds each. Their long horns made the herd feel larger and more physical than a line of cattle seen from a distance.
Then we started working. Our group moved 67 cattle from one end of the property toward another pasture. The route crossed open fields and hills, narrowed around stands of trees, and dropped through ravines. The cattle ran toward the river, hid behind trees, and climbed the slopes instead of following one clean route. Each change tested how well I could turn, position, and control Rambler rather than simply stay seated.
What made the drive different from many resort activities was the absence of a spectator role. We were not sitting on horses while professionals staged a Western scene around us. The cattle did not move in a neat formation, and the riders had to notice gaps, adjust positions, and help one another. When an animal broke away or disappeared behind a tree, someone had to change course and bring it back. The three wranglers kept the experience controlled, but they did not remove the challenge from it.
By the end, I understood why the activity had been scheduled for three and a half hours. It took time to learn the basics, move the herd over varied ground, let the cattle drink, and finish as a group. I also understood why the one-hour ride the day before had been useful. The trail ride refreshed the fundamentals. The cattle drive required us to use them.
This was our favorite activity and the first one I would recommend. Paws Up accepts novice riders and pairs the group with experienced wranglers, but the day still feels participatory. It was exciting, dynamic, and occasionally intimidating in exactly the right way. You finish with a clearer understanding of how a drive works, the knowledge that your riding improved because it had to, and the sense that you helped accomplish something.
Fly fishing while floating the Blackfoot River
Book the half-day fly-fishing float even if only one of you cares about fishing. Our half-day trip lasted three to four hours and took place from a boat rather than from one fixed section of riverbank. The current carried us along the Blackfoot as we fished, so the float combined instruction with a changing view of the water, forest, and banks.
The river was green and clear. Neither of us had fly-fished before, and our guide handled the technical parts patiently. We had plenty of bites and landed several cutthroat trout, while a few others jumped free before reaching the boat. My wife hooked one but could not keep it on the line. She did not mind. Every strike felt exciting because it was new to us, but the float never depended on catching fish to be worthwhile.
That is why I would recommend the float even to a couple with different levels of interest in fishing. It delivered two experiences at once: a first fishing lesson and a private scenic trip down the Blackfoot. One person can focus on casting and the fish while the other enjoys the water, forest, and changing banks. The resort currently lists its half-day guided trip as four hours for up to two guests per boat, which suits a couple without adding strangers to the session.
Sporting clays and archery for beginners
Sporting clays is the activity I would pair with the cattle drive if you have room for only two paid adventures. It was the final major activity and one of the clearest examples of Paws Up’s instructional approach. We did not go directly onto the course. We began in what felt like a shooting driving range, where we learned the safety process, tested stance and grip, and tried different shotgun sizes, including 20- and 12-gauge options.
My wife had fired a gun perhaps once before this trip. Our guide, Kristina, helped her choose between a 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun, find the gun that fit, understand the grip, and learn the safety process. Kristina stayed close enough to correct her without making the lesson stressful. That progression mattered. By the time we left the practice area, she was ready for the course rather than merely willing to try it.
The course has 10 outdoor stations, each presenting a different target path and shooting scenario. We moved between them through tall green grass and wildflowers, with several stations opening onto expansive views. The targets also became more challenging, including trickier angles and flight paths that forced us to adjust instead of repeating the same shot. The session lasted about three hours and allowed enough shooting that my shoulder became sore before I wanted to stop. It did not feel rationed or rushed.
Archery was the less structured counterpoint. We used the open practice range, where a target was set against stacked hay bales with the ranch spreading out behind it. We kept it playful and casual, taking turns while nearby horses played and rolled in the grass. It was a relaxed way to spend time outside before dinner.
Food at Paws Up: Camp Breakfast, Big Sky Bash, Chuck Wagon, and Pomp
Do not book Paws Up primarily as a fine-dining trip; book it for varied, convenient food that fits active days. The pancakes with huckleberry jam were so good that I ordered them every morning with eggs and chicken sausage. I never seriously considered the rest of the breakfast menu. They became a marker for the day ahead: eat by the river, talk through our plans, then leave camp for horses, fishing, or the range.
Luxury-camp guests eat breakfast and dinner in their camp’s dining pavilion, where a dedicated camp chef handles the meals. That arrangement kept breakfast close to the tent and made the camp feel like its own small community rather than one accommodation wing of a much larger resort.
The casual meals were stronger than an overview of “included dining” might suggest. We had strong barbecue, a Wagyu smash burger with fries, and the kind of generous post-activity lunches that made sense after several hours outside. None of it felt like an afterthought between the larger scheduled dinners.
Big Sky Bash at The Yard
Saturday’s Big Sky Bash was the largest and most social dinner. The open-air, family-style event spread seasonal food, cocktails, live music, lawn games, fly-casting demonstrations, and a mechanical bison across The Yard. It gave us the broad-resort side of Paws Up after a day that had been largely private on horseback and in the fishing boat.
Chuck Wagon Dinner beside the Blackfoot
Sunday’s Chuck Wagon Dinner followed the cattle drive. The setting brought us back to the river, this time for a communal evening built around open-fire cooking and live music. Guests could try lasso throwing and axe throwing before dinner, which kept the evening interactive while the fire and meal came together. Tomahawk steaks and vegetables cooked outdoors as everyone gathered beside the Blackfoot. Coming directly from several hours on horseback made the dinner feel like a continuation of the day rather than a separate resort event.
Returning to camp afterward extended the evening. Our camp butler had the fire ready, with s’mores waiting. We sat beside it rather than ending the night when dinner ended.
Dinner at Pomp
Monday’s dinner at Pomp gave us the resort’s more traditional restaurant format. Pomp serves a nightly changing dinner menu that brings continental technique to Western ingredients. After two large outdoor dinners, sitting down in a conventional dining room changed the pace and showed that the resort could move between camp cooking, social events, and a more composed restaurant evening without repeating itself.
The dining program was broad enough that four nights did not feel repetitive: breakfast at camp, casual lunch, a large outdoor bash, the riverside Chuck Wagon Dinner, and Pomp each occupied a different part of the stay.
Quiet Time at Paws Up: Bikes, Wildlife, Fires, and Spa Town
Leave space in the schedule for the unscripted parts of the ranch. We rode bikes from Cliffside Camp along the river and through the woods. Cattle and deer appeared through the trees and in the bright grass beside the route. The rain deepened the greens and made the river feel even more present without forcing us to cancel or shorten the ride. We could stop when we wanted, turn around when we were ready, and return to camp without waiting for a vehicle.
The wider Montana setting kept adding its own wildlife moments. During the stay, we watched bison graze across a vivid green meadow beneath mountains softened by rain and low clouds. It was a quieter scene than the cattle drive, but just as unmistakably Montana.
I also fed lettuce to a donkey and spent time petting him. It was a small interaction compared with moving 67 cattle, but it is one of the scenes my wife still talks about. Our branded cowboy hats carried over from our Green O stay and came back out immediately. We wore them all day and into dinner, connecting the two trips even though the camp experience felt completely different.
For most of the visit, we had nearly all of Cliffside Camp to ourselves. That privacy made the nights by the river feel unusually personal. One evening, we did meet guests from different parts of the country around a campfire and stayed talking, a welcome social interlude during an otherwise secluded stay.
For recovery time, Paws Up has Spa Town, where treatments take place in canvas tents, and the Huff-and-Puff Fitness Center with cardio and strength equipment. We did not spend enough time in either to review them, but both expand the options available between adventures.
The rain ultimately made the camp cozier without disrupting any activity. Fires continued, the bikes still came out, and the canvas amplified the feeling of being sheltered beside the river. It gave us a reason to linger over tea or a custom cocktail without making the trip feel weather-limited.
Paws Up Versus Green O: Which Should You Book?
Choose Paws Up for families, groups, glamping, and a broad activity program. Choose The Green O for an adults-only couples stay built around privacy, a private haus, a personal Lexus SUV, and Social Haus dining. They share the same 37,000-acre property, but they serve different trips. We had previously stayed at Green O, so the comparison was present from the moment we arrived.
Choose Paws Up when the trip should revolve around activities, broader social energy, and accommodation choices for couples, families, or groups. The camps make the river and outdoor rituals part of daily life. Compared with our Green O stay, Cliffside felt more adventurous and more connected to nature while remaining ultra-luxurious. Breakfast and dinner can happen in the camp pavilion, the activity roster is broad, and shared events such as Big Sky Bash bring more guests together.
Choose Green O when the trip should be adults-only, quieter, and more dining-led. Green O has 12 private hauses, exclusive access to Social Haus, and a personal Lexus SUV for each accommodation. It is the stronger fit for a couple who prioritizes privacy, architectural lodging, and an extended dinner each evening.
The transportation difference
The personal Lexus was the one Green O feature I missed at Cliffside Camp. Camp guests use on-demand shuttles between the camps, main village, dining venues, and activity areas. That creates slightly less spontaneity because you cannot simply walk outside and drive away.
In practice, the shuttle was easy. Our waits were never more than five minutes, and the team could arrange a special pickup when the normal circulation did not match our plan. I would still choose Green O’s Lexus for total freedom, but the shuttle did not interfere with a single reservation during this stay.
How long to stay and what the activities cost
Four nights and five calendar days worked well. We could schedule one or two major activities most days, leave room for meals and the river, and still wish we had another unstructured afternoon. Three nights would require sharper tradeoffs. Five nights would allow more recovery time or one additional adventure without crowding the itinerary.
Guided activities are additional. When checked August 7, 2026, Paws Up listed a one-hour trail ride at $180 per person, the cattle drive at $415 per person, half-day fly fishing at $650 per boat for up to two, and the three-hour sporting-clays session at $305 per person. Prices change, and room rates vary by date and accommodation, so treat these as planning figures rather than a quote.
If the idea of learning a new skill each day sounds better than repeating the same resort routine, book it. Do not overthink this one. The cattle drive alone justified the trip for us, and the river, Eagle’s Nest, camp team, food, and fires turned it into one of the most memorable resort experiences we have had. We left already wanting to return, and the two activities we would book first are the cattle drive and sporting clays.
Paws Up Montana FAQ and Final Verdict
Is Paws Up worth it?
Yes, absolutely. For travelers who will use the ranch activities and stay at least four nights, Paws Up is worth it. The cattle drive was one of the coolest activities we have ever done at a resort, and the combination of the Blackfoot, Eagle’s Nest, attentive camp service, and an unusually strong activity program made the entire stay feel special. The practical value comes from combining the included meals, drinks, transfers, transportation, and camp service with paid activities that would be difficult to reproduce at a conventional hotel.
Is Paws Up all-inclusive?
The resort package includes three meals per day, selected beverages and snacks, round-trip Missoula airport transfers, on-demand transportation, gym access, nightly campfires, and gratuities. Guided adventures and spa treatments are charged separately.
What is Cliffside Camp like?
Cliffside Camp has six safari-style tents overlooking the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek. Our one-bedroom tent included a king bed, copper tub, ensuite bathroom with heated floors, private deck, climate control, electricity, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, and camp-butler service.
Which tent should you request at Cliffside Camp?
We would request Eagle’s Nest, Cliffside Camp #6, again. It occupied the camp’s most secluded position during our stay and had a direct view over the Blackfoot River, with a hammock and sitting area between the tent and the water.
How many days do you need at Paws Up?
Plan four or five nights. Four nights gave us time for trail riding, fly fishing, a cattle drive, archery, sporting clays, biking, multiple dinner formats, and some unstructured camp time. A shorter stay would force us to remove at least one major activity.
Do Paws Up camp guests receive a car?
No. Private-home and Green O guests receive a Lexus SUV. Camp guests use complimentary on-demand shuttles. Our waits were under five minutes, though seasonal demand can change actual pickup times.
Is the Paws Up cattle drive suitable for beginners?
Yes, absolutely. Paws Up accepts novice riders and begins with instruction from experienced wranglers. Our group included six guests and three wranglers. The drive is participatory and lasts about three and a half hours, so the one-hour trail ride beforehand helped us feel more comfortable. Being a beginner did not reduce the excitement. Learning quickly enough to help move the herd was part of what made the experience so rewarding.
What are the strongest activities at Paws Up?
The cattle drive was our favorite and sporting clays was the activity we would most want to repeat alongside it. First-time fly fishing on the Blackfoot was the strongest choice for combining an activity with sightseeing, while the private trail ride made a useful introduction before the cattle drive.
Can a non-angler enjoy the fly-fishing float?
Absolutely. The Blackfoot float works as a private scenic river trip even when only one guest is focused on fishing. Our guide adapted the session to different experience levels, and the boat carried only the two of us. It gave us a first fishing lesson and one of the most beautiful ways to see the property in the same afternoon.
Are meals included at Paws Up?
Three daily meals are included, along with selected beverages and snacks. Luxury-camp guests have breakfast and dinner in their camp dining pavilion, while the wider property also offers venues and events such as Pomp, Trough, Big Sky Bash, and Chuck Wagon Dinner.
Is Paws Up better than Green O?
Neither is better for every trip. Paws Up is the stronger choice for families, groups, glamping, and a broad activity program. Green O is the stronger choice for an adults-only couples stay with a private haus, personal Lexus, and exclusive Social Haus dining.
Final verdict: the moments that stayed with us
The copper tub, the tent, and the MICHELIN Keys explain part of the product. They are not the memories that have lasted.
I remember the Blackfoot River through the open tent door. I remember pulling the heated blanket around us and sleeping more soundly than I can remember sleeping almost anywhere. I remember soaking in the copper tub after each day outside and stepping onto the heated bathroom floor. I remember Kristina helping my wife become comfortable with a shotgun. I remember Rambler carrying me through the trail ride and then into the cattle drive the next day. I remember 67 cattle disappearing behind trees, climbing the hills, and stopping at the river to drink. I remember the pancakes with huckleberry jam appearing again because I had no reason to order anything else. I remember feeding the donkey lettuce. I remember rain on the campfire night, hot tea and custom cocktails in our hands, and the camp team somehow getting the fire going anyway.
Paws Up is a luxurious ranch where comfort gives you the confidence to spend each day outside your normal range, then welcomes you back somewhere warm and personal. We arrived expecting an active resort stay and left with an experience we will always remember. Would we book it again? Absolutely. We left talking about repeating the cattle drive and sporting clays, sleeping beside the river at Eagle’s Nest, and how soon we could come back.
Operational details were last checked August 10, 2026 against Paws Up’s official accommodation, activity, dining, transportation, and wellness pages; the MICHELIN Guide; and Pearl’s Paws Up and Green O profiles. Firsthand observations are from the June 26 to June 30, 2026 stay.
