Destinations United States
Nicole Cord-Cruz
Even if you don’t watch the hit western show “Yellowstone,” you’ve likely heard plenty about it. Reportedly the most-watched show in the U.S., across both broadcast and cable, it apparently can hold its own against “NFL Sunday Night Football,” and that’s really saying something. Because if there’s anything Americans love as much as men throwing a ball across a field, it’s cowboys riding on horses through expansive stretches of land. Yup, everyone loves the Wild Wild West — especially if you’re a history buff.
Much of “Yellowstone’s” appeal comes from its realism. The drama among the Dutton family is enough to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, but the incredible scenery is just as gripping. The ranch the Duttons staunchly defend is particularly awe-inspiring. And, as it turns out, it’s not a made-up ranch on some studio lot in Los Angeles. It’s a real, working ranch in Darby, Montana called the Chief Joseph Ranch.
“On the ranch, we’re actually filming where it’s actually set. It’s almost like the most central character,” actor Kelly Reilly shared in an interview with Vanity Fair, with co-star Kevin Costner adding, “You step outside and you see running horses and men working and the weather dictates what you do.” If you’re a big fan of the show or simply want to get a feel of what cowboy life is like, you can rent a cabin right at the Chief Joseph Ranch. Fair warning, though: They come at a cost.
Two cabins are available for rent
While you can’t stay at the lodge where Kevin Costner’s John Dutton lives in “Yellowstone,” you can rent the two private cabins at Chief Joseph Ranch. The current owner and occupant of the main lodge, Shane Libel, noted that when the show is not filming, particularly from June to August, his family opens them up to fans.
There’s the Fisherman Cabin, where Lee Dutton lived, which was built in 1916 and offers stellar views of both the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains. It costs $1,400 a night and can house up to eight people with one king bed, two queen beds, and two twin beds. Meanwhile, the Ben Cook cabin, which served as Rip’s abode on the show, has a similar configuration, albeit slightly larger. It costs $1,700 a night and can sleep eight people, but it has two open porches and a bathtub. The prices may not seem so bad at first look, but the ranch has a three-night minimum stay policy.
There are also no meals available, but guests get a fully functional kitchen and grill. A tour of the sprawling 2,500-acre ranch and the “Yellowstone” sets are included in your reservation, too! “The cabins are amazing, the scenery is breathtaking, the people are the best kind of kind, and it is just icing on the cake to get the experience of touring the Yellowstone set,” one Tripadvisor review reads. Hey, spending thousands of dollars for an authentic ranch experience may just be worth it.
The Chief Joseph Ranch has a rich history
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If you can’t justify the cabin rental costs at Chief Joseph Ranch based on their amenities alone, bear in mind that staying there means you also get to immerse yourself in a piece of history. The property was part of Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition in 1805 and used to be the domain of the Salish Native American tribe. In 1914, due to the insistence of their children, it became a joint property of wealthy businessman William Ford and federal judge Howard Clark Hollister, who commissioned Bates and Gamble to build the sprawling lodge you see on “Yellowstone.”
Three years and $50,000 later, the majestic, 6,000-square-foot lodge that functions as a central piece of the show was built. The ranch was sold after Ford’s death in 1935, and the new owners renamed it Chief Joseph to honor the leader of the Nez Pearce tribe. Fast forward to today, the Libel family oversees the property, which is home to horses and cows. Visitors can enjoy the cabins themselves as well as the scenic surrounding area, which is ideal for outdoor pursuits.
“We do all the things that a ranch does,” Shane Libel confirmed in an interview about “Yellowstone” (via YouTube). The Libels have even chosen to keep the Dutton Ranch sign up front, so if you don’t get to stay at the cabins, you can at least stop for a little photo op session.
