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K Bar L – An experience of a lifetime.

In the spring and early summer, the ranch is accessible by boat from the Gibson Reservoir. Once the lake pool lowers from irrigation draw downs, boat access is not possible, but the long-established and well maintained Sun River trail provides three season access by foot or horseback over the seven miles of National Forest lands from the end of paved road at the lower end of the Gibson to the ranch. A sturdy pack bridge, rebuilt in the August of 2016 and rebuilt by the Forest Service after being damaged in the infamous flood of 1964, crosses the North Fork of the Sun River and onto the ranch in the last leg of the overland route. The ranch also is accessible anytime by helicopter with an adequate landing site on the grounds of the property.

K Bar L Ranch is so special to me and my wife Suzi – their beautiful land, wonderful staff and diverse wildlife truly make them top-notch. Located less than a mile from the Bob Marshall Wilderness, visitors can see some of the most abundant wildlife in the country without going far. Arriving to the ranch via mule, boat, or hiking trail is really a one-of-a-kind experience – and always an adventure! One of my wife’s greatest loves is fly fishing – and K Bar L has the most incredible fly fishing we’ve ever experienced. K Bar L is a great getaway that reminds me of my childhood growing up on a farm in Tennessee – I’m always looking forward to my next visit!"

Jack Hanna

Our recent Montana adventure to K Bar L Ranch was AMAZING! The region's rich natural landscape and lots of outdoor activities made it the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle back home. Horseback riding on trails, with absolutely beautiful scenery in every direction; fly-fishing on the fast-flowing Sun River, with experienced staff that taught us the art; hiking; soaking in Medicine Springs; good friends; great food...(including fresh trout...smile) and yes, we were spoiled, and loved every minute of it. Hope to return with our grandchildren someday. Special thanks to the great staff at the K Bar L Ranch for sharing their little bit of heaven with us!

Jill Barnett

THE SETTING: BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS

Wildlife:  Grizzly and black bears, elk, gray wolves, whitetail and mule deer, Canadian lynx, bobcats, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolverines and cougars are at home in the wild lands surrounding the ranch. Smaller mammals such as beaver, river otters, snowshoe hares, and marten also inhabit the territory, as do dozens of bird species such as bald eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, camp robbers, and chickadees.

The Rocky Mountain Front region is known for gusty winds and sudden, occasionally extreme air temperature changes. Here it is possible “to slip on the ice, fall in the mud, then get up and brush off the dust.” Blessedly, the ranch is not often subject to these extremes, tucked as it is in the interior river valleys of the mountains. Thirty five miles downriver at Augusta, Montana the frost free growing season is typically May 29 to September 10, which amounts to 104 days to grow your petunias. Augusta is about 4,000+ feet in elevation, but at the K Bar L Ranch the elevation is 5,000 feet, meaning an even shorter growing season. Augusta gets about 14+ inches of precipitation per year. At the Ranch the annual precipitation would be slightly greater.

Guests return to the K Bar L for not only the incredible landscape but the memories that are created year after year.  Your children will love the natural freedom and will not want to come in at night.

Carolyn Sanazaro
Carolyn Sanazaro
2023-10-25
It’s heaven on earth! The hunting & fishing are amazing, but if you just need to getaway to relax and detach yourself from civilization in a cozy, comfy, cabin in the middle of the mountains, with great meals prepared for you….this is your place ❤️ There’s no place like it!
Chase Young
Chase Young
2023-10-20
The K Bar L - Its tough to know where to start when speaking to how special this place is. From the raw beauty of the Bob Marshall wilderness area, the history of the lodge, the unique access it provides within this area, and of course the staff - the K Bar L does not disappoint in any category. If you have any passion at all for the beauty and adventure of the outdoors, the K Bar L will exceed all expectations. Situated at the confluence of the South and North Fork of the Sun Valley River, the lodge offers unspoiled fishing access literally at your doorstep, 360 degree views of the mountains and unparalleled access to the Elk hunting, which was the reason for my visit. As they say at the K Bar L, "beyond all roads", which you come to understand pretty quickly through the horseback ride in and out of the lodge. This part of the experience alone provides a memory that will stick with you for life. As much as id like to keep this place a secret, i have to say that the Elk hunting was spectacular from the knowledge of the guides to the activity and opportunities that every hunter in our group had. Lastly but not lease of all the staff could not have been more friendly, the food was excellent and the lodging is first class (in a rustic sense). In short, i love this place and the people that make it happen day in and day out. When asked how my trip out there was by anyone i always say without hesitation, "its the coolest thing ive ever done". Thanks K Bar L crew, once again! Chase
Noah Lander
Noah Lander
2023-10-01
The absolute best! Best staff Best hunting Best accommodations
Jeff Mueckl
Jeff Mueckl
2023-09-29
A truly one of a kind place and experience. The beauty of the ranch and surrounding wilderness is unmatched and the staff treats you like family. It is hard to put into words how incredible of a time I have had both times I have visited. Bull down on Day 1!
John Hudson
John Hudson
2023-09-29
The look and feel of a early 1900’s era Montana hunt and fish experience but with hot showers, incredible meals, charming log cabins, rideable horses, and a staff that treats you like family! We will visit K bar L every year!!
jan boltres
jan boltres
2022-11-28
Great trip! Everyone was as nice and helpful as could be. I can't wait to come back for a summer trip. Highly recommended!
michael hufjay
michael hufjay
2022-11-23
This was my 6th year at kbarl- the guests might change but what stays the same is the Wallis Family and the love of the staff. Everywhere you turn there is someone there to help you with anything. My first time riding a horse was at kbarl-after 6 years of riding, one of my favorite things todo is get on the horse for the beautiful ride. If it wasn’t for the guides and staff constantly helping me year after year, stupid question after stupid question, I would never have gained the confidence to be able to ride anything. The kitchen staff is constantly baking and making food. I don’t know many places at 4am where there is fresh coffee, cinnamon rolls, eggs bacon etc. As well as being great cooks, they are all so motherly- making sure you are fed and happy and just making sure your experience is the best. The Wallis family makes you feel at home the second you sign up. Emily and Adam make sure all accommodations are set- from travel to what you should pack. Once you arrive at the ranch, the first people to help us off the horses was Noah Lilly Molly- the Wallis kids- all 3 you can tell love the ranch and have learned so much from watching everyone work. Besides the kids, there are nephews nieces and cousins brothers all working at the ranch- truly making this a family affair. Kbarl has changed my life and I can’t wait till the next year.
Pat Garvey
Pat Garvey
2022-11-23
This is one of the best trips we’ve ever taken, traveling my horse into The Bob Marshall Wilderness. A truly neautiful part of the world. The staff is outstanding - always wanting to meet your every need. We can mot say enough about the staff - from the owners to the guides to the manager to the cook and all the others. If you want to hunt and see the beauty of nature, set up a trip to K Bar L ranch
Thomas Jennings
Thomas Jennings
2022-11-02
Over the past couple years I’ve had the opportunity to be a guest and bow hunt the K bar L ranch and it is an experience like none other I’ve ever had. Adam and the K bar L crew go above and beyond to make sure that your experience is as perfect as can be. I’ve hunted with several of the guides and Almost always had action with big bull elk. The guides will go the extra mile to make sure you have every opportunity possible to fill your tag. The K bar L is a five-star experience and a place you want to return to year after year for a true Montana experience

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