OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The gorgeous, indulgent and pristine nature resort Paws Up in Montana is hosting guests again

This is just one room and it's private surrounding grounds
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Paws Up Resort in Greenough, Montana is set on a 37,000 acre family-run ranch of pristine wilderness, with a large river and islands and has, in more bustling times, a maximum capacity of 250 guests. It’s like a private national park. And it’s completely back in business, after operating in reduced fashion during the pandemic.

 

There is almost certainly no better place to practice social distancing anyway. The resort is twice the size of Manhattan! At Paws Up all the accommodations are either private homes, or glamping  in a luxurious “tent,” and there’s plenty of acreage in between. It’s the kind of privacy and space that attracts celebrities wanting a break, or urbanites sick of jostling with commuters, who can afford the escape, because this place isn’t cheap.  

 

 

Even Cowgirls get the rainbow Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

As Alison Lewis, a representative for the resort, told me: “You can do a whole trip here and not have to be seen if you don’t want to be.”

 

Montana is looking more tempting than ever.  Sparsely populated, the state was isolated from the worst of COVID. And the wilderness offers endless opportunities for entertainment and replenishment. The Paws Up resort is currently fully operational, including its two main restaurants, which are a journey from wherever you’d be staying! — one for dinner and one for breakfast/lunch — and the bar and spa. During glamping season, from mid May to mid October, they have six other restaurants, which are dining pavilions at each camp.

 

 

This is the place where the cows come home… Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

They offer horseback and ATV tours through the picturesque property, and there are miles of hiking trails and some of the best fly fishing in the world on the Blackfoot River. All of this pretty much untouched by the coronavirus pandemic, and, for that matter, the rest of civilization.

 

 

 

A river runs through it: Literally, the Blackfoot River snakes through property twice the size of Manhattan Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

Managing Director Steve Hurst has over 25 years of experience running luxury resorts and hotels from Greenwich Village to Chicago to Portland.  “As a whole, if there were any point in my career where I would be doing something like this, I’m pretty sure Greenough, Montana is the right spot.”

 

During the pandemic meals were only served in the personal lodgings. As an introvert at heart, this sounds ideal to me, especially when the digs are this exquisite.  

 

 

 

Big Sky: one of the house bedrooms Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

 

As dog lovers, the owners have always wanted to emulate the feeling of welcome and excitement that a dog gives their human companion, hence the name — Alison told me that Paws Up is like when a dog jumps up on you to greet you.  

 

Their newest development on property, which they are calling Green-O, is an adults only, sustainability-focused resort with sleek, modern designed homes nestled in the trees.