I took a much-needed vacation to somewhere I’d never been before but had heard about for years: Montana. We chose The Resort at Paws Up outside of Missoula, as it blends miles of open land and outdoor activities with luxury accommodation and service.

Flying from Los Angeles (LAX), we stopped in Portland (PDX) for the short hop to Missoula (MSO) and arrived late afternoon. Paws Up offers free transportation from MSO for the 40-minute drive to the resort, and a great Paws Up team member picked us up in a new Lexus SUV, giving us insight into the towns we passed and the overall scoop on the resort.

We arrived at the Lewis & Clark Reception barn for a quick check-in and overview of our scheduled activities. The reservations team contacts guests a few weeks prior to arrival to help book activities and dining.

Staff drove us to the Wilderness Estates, about seven minutes from the Village, to our cabin, Kaw Point. The estates are the larger, three-bedroom cabins great for large families, while Timber and Meadow homes are just as exclusive but for smaller families or even couples.

Kaw Point sits on a hill surrounded by tall pines and overlooks part of the valley and grazing land of the resort. The front porch, about 50 feet long, offers rocking chairs, a small couch and soft lighting. I spent every morning there bundled up with my coffee.

The cabin’s main living room has a soaring ceiling due to the loft, with wood beams framing the space and giant windows. A large stone fireplace serves as the heart of the space, surrounded by overstuffed brown leather couches, wing-backed chairs and a desk. The fully functioning kitchen includes a state-of-the-art stove and oven, a microwave and an 18-bottle wine cooler next to a table. We dined in several times, and they fully plate each meal upon delivery.

The estate has two master suites with the same attention to detail in each; we chose the front room for its full views. The tall, oversized king bed is comfortable but also offers plenty of outlets nearby. Leather-bound lights above the bed make perfect soft reading lights. His-and-her closets equipped with robes and soft slippers stand on each side of the small hallway leading into an expansive bathroom with a stone-topped double vanity and a large window framing the outside view. A large Jacuzzi tub and two-person, glass-enclosed shower remind you this is a true luxury vacation. The loft boasts a living room/game room, two full beds and a full master with a bathroom. Around the back of the house are lounge chairs, barbecue and a hot tub.

Expect top-notch, all-inclusive dining. Besides the snacks and drinks provided at your camp or cabin each day, heading into the Village is a delight. Breakfast and lunch are served at Trough, where you choose from either a full menu or made-to-order and buffet-style eats near the Ranch Table. Pomp, the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, open in the evenings, offers either a five-course tasting menu or choice of prime meats, fish and rich soups. We also stopped daily at Tank, the casual full bar with local beers and spirits.

The resort hosts dozens of activities based on the season, from fly fishing to canoeing and ATV tours to cattle drives. Horseback riding is a must for all guests.

The Resort at Paws Up

40060 Paws Up Road
Greenough, MT 59823
tel 406 244 5200