Montana Bob Marshall Adventure: July 28- August 2nd
$4,850
Get ready for the ultimate horseback wilderness adventure designed just for women — six days of epic riding, unforgettable scenery, and adventure deep in the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness! This isn’t your typical trail ride… it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey into one of the most pristine wild places in America!
This trip was crafted for women who want real adventure–
whether you’re a confident rider hungry for scenic miles in the saddle, or a beginner rider ready to level up your backcountry skills. You’ll learn practical horsemanship, stock care, packing, and wilderness navigation — all while forging unforgettable memories
- Saddle up for major backcountry riding — with unforgettable rides through towering mountains, wild rivers, and sweeping valleys that most people only dream about!
- Explore the heart of The Bob Marshall Wilderness, one of the largest and most spectacular wilderness areas in the U.S.
- Ride with purpose, grow your skills, and forge friendships that last a lifetime.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness is the gold standard of America’s wild places — the largest wilderness complex in Montana and one of the most expansive in the entire country. This is true, untamed backcountry.
Guided by Mills Wilderness Adventures, a family-owned outfitter based in Augusta, Montana, you’ll pack in from the historic Benchmark Trailhead, crossing the Continental Divide and traveling through legendary country including the Sun River Game Preserve and the White River, Danaher, and South Fork of the Flathead drainages.
Our wilderness home base is a remote camp in the White River, just four miles from the Continental Divide and surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Chinese Wall, Needle Falls, Flathead Alps, and Gladiator Mountain. Beyond the famous sights, hidden gems await — including the mysterious “Lost World of Peggy Creek,” an unforgettable landscape few ever get to experience.
This is real wilderness, real adventure, and a place that changes you..
Cowgirl Camp Montana Itinerary
Day One
The adventure begins at Benchmark Trailhead at first light, whether you’re shuttled by Mills Wilderness Adventures or arrive on your own. After a quick introduction to safe horsemanship, you’ll meet your horse — carefully matched to your size, skill, and style — before hitting the trail.
From the start, the wild comes alive. Cross the South Fork and West Fork pack bridges, with elk, mule deer, and whitetail often grazing along the way. Lunch is a scenic stop near Indian Creek before the ride continues through a stunning berry-filled valley where bears and mountain goats sometimes make appearances.
The day culminates at the Continental Divide (White River Pass), offering breathtaking panoramas before the final five-mile ride down to camp — 22+ miles of unforgettable wilderness adventure in one epic day. This is the start of a true backcountry journey – majestic, wild, and absolutely unforgettable..
Day 2
Day two is all about settling into life in the wilderness. After a big pack-in, the horses enjoy a well-earned day of rest while you get familiar with camp and the incredible country surrounding it.
You’ll have the option to dive into hands-on backcountry education — from route planning and horse conditioning to stock care, packing, and wilderness cooking. It’s a rare opportunity to learn how both professional outfits and private groups safely navigate remote terrain and care for their horses in the backcountry while limiting their impact.
Base camp sits at the very heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, just steps from the White River. Spend the afternoon fly-fishing, hiking through wildflowers, relaxing riverside with a book, or simply soaking in the peace. Wildlife is part of the experience here — moose and deer often pass through camp.
This is a day to learn, slow down, and fully step into the rhythm of true wilderness living.
Day 3-5
Over the next three days, you’ll experience three unforgettable horseback rides, thoughtfully planned around the group, individual goals, and mountain weather — because in the Bob Marshall, every ride is an adventure.
Ride to Haystack Mountain and the legendary Chinese Wall, where the Continental Divide rises in a jaw-dropping 1,400-foot stone face. Wildlife sightings are abundent, and the sweeping mountain vistas feel straight out of a dream.
Explore the stunning Rampart and Turtlehead country, crossing the White River, riding through timber, and over “the drum” where the holllow mountain echos your mounts hoofbeats, and standing atop wide-open ridgelines with panoramic views of some of the Bob Marshall’s most iconic peaks.
End with the epic Gladiator Mountain ride, a scenic loop filled with big views, powerful landscapes, and a lunch stop that makes you feel wonderfully small beneath towering peaks.
Every ride is different. Every view is breathtaking. And even after days in the saddle, you’ll realize you’ve only scratched the surface of this wild, unforgettable place.
This isn’t just riding — it’s exploring.
Day 6
Day Six: One Last Ride Home
Wake up early with coffee and breakfast, then enjoy one final, unforgettable ride with your horses, soaking in the beauty of the wilderness one last time. We retrace the trail back to Benchmark Trailhead, and after days in the wild, the scenery feels even more spectacular.
Take in the breathtaking views, savor the moment, and say farewell to your trusted mounts before arriving at the trailhead by late afternoon and returning to Augusta around 6 p.m.
The ride may end, but the memories — and the bond with your horse and new friends — will last a lifetime.
Physical Restrictions and Capabilities:
Weight: We are unable to accommodate riders more than 250lbs.
Physical Fitness: This is Cowgirl Camps most rigorous and epic adventure yet, and you will have a better time if you are physically prepared for it. We will be spending 20+ mile days in the saddle over steep and mountainous terrian and at times will need to get off and lead our horses down steep trails.
You should be able to walk a 3 mph in the mountains (high altitude/elevation, climb, ascend and descend) while leading a horse over varying terrain.
Aches / Pains: This trip is not recommended for anyone with bad knees, back, hips or feet that prevent you from comfortably being active.
Long days in the back country and remote backcountry camping require that you are fully capable of physical activity without jeopardizing the safety and comfort of yourself and livestock.
We highly recommend looking into one of our in-camp offerings in Wyoming where Cowgirl Camp can be more accommodating with an accessible basecamp to those who have reservations about a bigger trip.
Getting Here:
Where: Augusta, Montana!
Mills Wilderness Adventures offers free airport pickup and return to Great Falls. Flights need to arrive in Great Falls no later than 2 p.m. the day before the trip. If driving, you must arrive in Augusta no later than 3 p.m. After booking, we will send you hotel information for the day prior to your trip and the evening you ride out of the mountains. Meals are provided beginning with lunch on day one and through lunch on the last day.
It is necessary that you stay in Augusta the night before your trip as the ride in is so long and we leave early in the morning for the trailhead.
You will need a room the night BEFORE your trip starts and the night your trip comes out.
Sample Packing List:
Clothing:
- 2 pair of long pants
- Pair of shorts
- 2 or 3 light sleeveless or t-shirts
- Long sleeved shirt
- Changes of underwear and socks (heavy wool socks are good for hiking)
- Pair of sneakers (in camp shoes)
- Pair of water sandals
- Warm sweater or heavy shirt
- Wind resistant jacket
- RAINPROOF raingear (including rain pants)
- Down or fiberfill vest
- Bandanna or neck scarf
- Cap or hat (for the sun) If brimmed hat have stampede strings to keep hat on in wind
- Pair of wool gloves
- Long underwear
- Pajamas
- Riding helmet (suggested, not required)
- Batteries for flashlights, camera, etc.
- Long underwear for pj’s
- Beanie for keeping your head warm at night
Equipment
- Air mattress or thin pad: we recommend the ¾ length self-inflating mattress
- Sleeping bag: nights may be frosty…bring a warm one
- Hiking boots; some kind of heel and no heavy tread is preferable for safety in the stirrup. Plan to ride in these first day of trip as you will be doing some downhill hiking on rugged trails
- Two 30 oz, water bottles one should be a filtering water bottle (has a filter in bottle)
- Garbage bags (unless you have waterproof duffel). You may also choose to compartmentalize your duffel by clumping different categories of goods in separate bags.
- Collapsible hiking pole follow link to the type we would like you to go to Amazon and search the below poles
TheFitLife Collapsible Trekking Poles for Hiking – Lightweight Folding Walking Sticks for Men and Women with Extra-Long Foam Handle and Metal Flip Lock - Toenail and fingernail clippers
- Recommended Size Duffel 25”L x 12-1/4”W x 21-1/2”H and of
course as the gear list states, you do not
have to fit sleeping bag and pad in duffel. - Camera, flashlight (little and light), headlamp, allergy medications, if needed
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Small notebook for journal
- Washcloth, small hand towel and bath towel
- Toiletries: contact lenses, toothbrush, floss, chap stick, medications etc.
- Biodegradable shampoo and soap
- Approximate duffel bag size: 25”L x 12-1/4 “W x 21-1/2” H
and of course the sleeping bag DOES NOT have to fit in your duffel bag. - Variety Pack Blister Bandaids
We ask that you keep your duffel to 30 lbs
Long duffel bags are best for packing.
Your 30 lbs should include your bedroll, but NOT your camera, rain gear and jacket (which will be attached to your saddle) and NOT one day’s set of clothes (which will be the clothes you ride in the first day).
DO NOT plan on wearing a backpack while riding.
Everything you have with you on the saddle should fit in the saddle bags provided.
If not then you will have to put excess in duffel. Jackets can be rolled up and tied to the back of saddle.
Explore Montana
July 28th- August 2nd
Need the Application Emailed to you? Email [email protected] and request an application.
To protect your investment, we suggest that you buy an Adventure Travel Insurance Policy.
These policies are available to cover initial, secondary, and final payments, airfare, medical etc. In case something unexpected occurs to you, pandemic outbreaks, and civil insurrection or terror threats. Insurance is highly recommended for trips.
Another trip insurance option is www.travelguard.com
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