Big Sky, Montana - Sage Lodge

In October 2019, I took my first trip to Montana and fell completely in love with Big Sky Country before the plane even touched down at Bozeman airport. I couldn't believe the breathtakingly beautiful scene we flew over. A view from the sky doesn't get much better than this!

Getting There

In my best Montana look (felt hat necessary), I hopped on a quick 3-hour flight directly into Bozeman (BZN) from Dallas (DFW).

Travel Tip: From Dallas, American offers two non-stop flights/day Wednesday through Saturday. No other direct flights operate Sunday to Tuesday, so plan your travel schedule accordingly. Outside of Dallas, there are now 19 other non-stop flights into BZN from around the U.S.

Arrival at Sage Lodge

Because we had a sizable group arriving over two days, we pre-arranged transportation with RMC DMC (highly recommend if you're traveling with a herd!). After an hour of the most scenic drive I've ever experienced, we arrived at our hotel, Sage Lodge - the newest place to stay in the area and exactly where you want to be for the ultimate Montana getaway. Technically speaking, it's located Pray, Montana in an area called Paradise Valley - very fitting. From anywhere on property there are amazing views of Emigrant Peak and the lodge is also located directly on the Yellowstone River.

Lodge Rooms & Ranch Houses

The boutique hotel has 34-rooms in the main lodge (mostly kings, but there are a few doubles) as well as 4 free-standing ranch houses that each feature at least 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining and living rooms, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and private patios. You have to walk on a short dirt path outside to get to the ranch houses, but it only adds to the Montana experience (plus, the hotel staff takes your bags for you and gives rides when requested). Luxury glamping at it's best!

Onsite Activities

The Lodge is only 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park and is located on the banks of the Yellowstone River. There is a fly fishing casting pond right out back, too. It's a great place for someone looking to try fly fishing for the first time or for experts wanting to practice their skills before venturing out on the Yellowstone. Between the pond and so many other onsite activities (hiking, biking, llama treks, etc.) and nearby adventures, Sage Lodge truly provides the pure Montana experience. They have an activity room in the lobby that is full of anything and everything you might need - waders, bicycles, helmets, water bottles, etc. I even caught a baby trout, which was obviously the highlight of a chilly day and made getting in the water completely worth it!

The Lodge has two restaurants onsite - The Grill and The Fireside Room. The Grill is like an upscale steak house and just a quick hop over to another building. The Fireside Room is off the main lobby and is where a delicious breakfast is served each day. It also has a great bar area with a fireplace and TVs. The food did not disappoint and we even got to try rattlesnake! When in Montana? ;)

Yellowstone National Park

Your trip to Montana isn't complete without a trip to Yellowstone National Park. The first National Park of them all is actually a volcanic hot spot with geothermal features throughout.

Yellowstone has a little bit of everything and you'll definitely want to have your camera ready at all times! From canyons and mountains to lakes, rivers, hot springs and geysers, to wildlife like Bear, Bison and Moose, you'll be blown away by how many different things you can see throughout the park in just a day. We even experienced all of the seasons in one day - from sunshine to sleet and snow - since Montana weather can change in an instant outside of the summer months.

Be sure to check out the Roosevelt Arch, Beaver Ponds Trail, Old Faithful Geyser, The Old Faithful Inn, Brink of the Lower Falls, and of course, the Grand Prismatic (sadly, not pictured below because it was closed the day we went since Melania Trump was touring the park. Such. A. Bummer!)

With the wide-open views, endless skies, and towering mountains it’s obvious where Big Sky got its name and even more obvious why you should get there immediately if you've never been before. I can't wait to go back! Maybe next time I'll brave the winter months...