Diamond J Ranch

The grounds are immaculate and the scenery is spectacular. I didn't have any riding experience, but the horse ride still felt safe and comfortable the whole way. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. I'd had a terrible time trying to arrange a similar outing through another nearby ranch, so for a ranch experience, I'd go with Diamond J.

We ended up riding at Jakes Horses in Big Sky for half the price. The horses were very healthy, the staff was excellent, and we tipped our guide generously and booked a future overnight pack trip. Jake was a nice owner. At Diamond J, we only had a trail ride booked, not a ranch stay. Scott, the reservation guy, was nice on the phone but slow to answer emails, and one wrangler we met was lovely and accommodating. The owner was a different story. We booked three weeks ahead for a Wednesday ride. The previous Wednesday, my friend had a medical condition and thought she might not be able to ride, so I gave the ranch a heads-up and canceled her ride. By Sunday she was cleared to join the trip, and I emailed them. Scott said he didn't think the owner would let her ride. I asked him to let me know, but never heard back. We went to the ranch to explain in person. The owner drove up in a golf cart and asked which one of us wasn't riding. We told her we were both fine to ride and very healthy compared with her. She demanded a doctor's note for my friend, which we could have arranged if we'd gotten an answer to the email. She'd never even seen a note saying my friend couldn't ride, and she refused a call from the doctor. Since my friend could ride, it would've been boring for her to sit there for three hours, so we said we'd leave and asked them not to saddle my horse. The owner was very rude. I understand there are policies, but she said she'd charge me for not canceling, and I later saw a $160 charge on my card. As a horse stable owner on the East Coast, I felt she could have been a lot friendlier and more accommodating.

Waking up somewhere this beautiful and getting out for a horse ride made for a really fun stay. The place feels peaceful, and the amenities are solidly built. Staff were humble, gracious, and seemed to know how to handle every situation. 10/10 service. I'll be back.

We were staying in the Mountain Goat rental, and I'm writing this just hours after check-in so other travelers know what the place was like for us. I wasn't in Alex's group and didn't stay at the same time, but my experience with the ownership was similar. The first thing we noticed was white spotting on the king duvet. We texted and called Katie, the manager, and were told to get a blanket from the closet. There was no apology or offer to pick up the dirty duvet. Katie had already left around 4 p.m. When I said $500 a night should include proper bedding, she said she'd send the owner with a duvet. The room setup was also nothing like the website photos. The photos show a beautiful master with a king bed, fireplace, and views. The ranch knew only one couple was staying in this two-bedroom rental, and I'd been communicating with Katie throughout booking. But the so-called master was a dark room with no bathroom or fireplace. The room with the fireplace, en suite, picture windows, and walk-in closet had two twin beds. I asked whether we could join them, and Katie said we should have requested that in advance. When I asked why the room with the bathroom and walk-in closet wasn't the master, she said this was how it always was. I pushed the twin beds together myself because there was no way we were sleeping in the dark box room, even if a gap remained between us. When Gia, the owner, called before bringing the clean duvet, she asked what we needed. I started to explain both the stained bedding and the room mix-up, but she cut me off to ask whether I wanted a blanket or duvet. She didn't mention the dirty bedding in person and seemed inconvenienced to be at the door. I told her she'd cut me off and asked why the king bed was in the back room. She repeated that it was always that way, and said they left the other room as twins because there were only two of us. When I pointed out the photos showed a king in the front bedroom, she denied that the photos showed it. I don't know how to have a rational conversation with someone who denies her own website photos. Even setting aside the owner's behavior, the cleanliness and bed arrangement, this is three stars at best. Don't be fooled by the 'luxury' claims. The ranch's own website photos weren't reliable for us.