WELCOME TO THE LAZY K BAR RANCH HOME PAGE!

    "The horse age lingers, and the ranchers still hold with the idea that a man works for what he gets, helps his neighbors and takes care of his own, and that a handshake and a man's word are as good as his bond.  Maybe even better."    Spike Van Cleve (1912-1982)

    This will be our 89th year of sharing our ranch with a few special guests. The Lazy K Bar Ranch has been in our family for five generations, and we're proud to say we have fourth generation guests coming back to spend time with us and share our home and our way of life.  We are one of the founders of The Dude Ranchers Association and one of only two founder ranches still owned by the original family.   We remain an honest-to-gosh original dude ranch - NOT a resort - no bar, no tennis courts, no fancy dining with wine - just honest folks, good food, and great horses in "mag-by-God-nificent" country.  As Walter Brannin said "No brag, jes' fact!"

    We have been and still are mostly a riding ranch. We raise our own quarterhorses here in the shadow of the Crazy Mountains. They are born here, and they die here, and in between they live a good life showing some special people God's Country from horseback. Our stallion "Sammy B", his mares and babies, love our weekly visits and attention. We take both half-day and all-day rides six days a week, work stock as necessary, and you can join in other ranch work at any time.  The horses can have a little competition from Fly fishing.  Our guests can fish a lot of private water in and around the area, in addition to over four miles of creek right at the ranch and another four plus miles at the home ranch.  For more information on and photos of ranch activities, click here! And then there are our beloved Irish Wolfhounds - you don't see many of these guys anymore.

The Main Lodge (shown at left) is representative of our buildings. We offer a choice of 15 Guest Cabins and limit our occupancy to about 20 guests. All are uniquely individual, original broadax log built between 1922 and 1935 from native timber. 

We've tried hard to keep our special flavor over the years - we are not a resort - but instead open our home to families that share our country values, where a man's word is his bond and neighbors are friends.

   For information on our Children's Program, click here.  For some candid guest shots, click here!  If you're wondering how deep the snow gets during the winter, click here!   For a few more photos, click here!   For a MAP showing our location and direction on how to get to the Lazy K, click here!

We don't advertise much - we prefer instead to rely on word of mouth referrals. If you think you'd like to join us for a stay, we will gladly send you an informative brochure and supply you with a reference or two in your area of the country.  Call or drop us an Email for a Reservation Form. 

RATES: You can figure about $1600 per person per week - depending on the cabin you want - and that includes everything - your own horse, wranglers, maid service, meals - except gratuities, minor incidentals at our store, special trips, and transportation to and from the ranch.   (Click here to see individual cabins.)  Children 5 & under stay FREE.  We offer GROUP RATES for parties of 8 or more.   And note: There is NO SALES TAX in Montana.

Barbara Van Cleve Photo Workshop
Call for dates!

To see the original 1926 Lazy K Bar brochure, click here!

To read an entertaining article "Returning to the Lazy K Bar" by Ron Rude, click here!

For Additional Information

Write or Call:
Carol Van Cleve Kirby
406.932.4449

or

Tack Van Cleve
Box 1550, Big Timber, MT 59011
406.537.4404
or

Email Carol Van Cleve Kirby in Big Timber, MT.

For Summer employment opportunities, contact
Carol Van Cleve Kirby,
Box 1181, Big Timber, MT 59011
406.932.4449 or Email lazykbar@mtintouch.net

Founding Member, The Dude Ranchers Association

Last Edit: 27 Mar 2009 © Lazy K Bar Ranch