Muddy Creek Ranch
Muddy Creek Ranch
Muddy Creek Ranch
Muddy Creek Ranch
Muddy Creek Ranch

Muddy Creek Ranch

Nearest Town, Wilsall
2,728 acres
Lodging Available

Muddy Creek Ranch (MCR) is a family-owned & operated, active, grass-fed cattle ranch located in the beautiful Shields Valley in Southwestern Montana. With over 2,700 acres across 3 properties, MCR is sure to have an activity for the outdoor enthusiast.

We're happy to host guests for quite a few different activities on our ranch like hunting, bird watching, & some unique ranch activities like our Grass-fed Beef Tours.

The Home Ranch

On our Home Ranch, we have a couple irrigated hay fields which draw in elk, antelope, and whitetail deer. The elk are not residents on the property, but they'll show up at different times or for multiple days in a row. We also have seen quite a few black bears & cougars through the property as well as coyotes. We'll have ducks & geese in our two ponds & a marshy section that runs through the center of the property. There's also a resident covey of huns on this property.

The home ranch also borders state land on the southwestern border which is also hay fields.

Muddy Creek Ranch at Elkhorn Ridge

This property is 770 acres & sits in the foothills of Elkhorn Ridge roughly 5 miles from the Home Ranch. It acts as a natural funnel for elk as they move from the ridge down to the valley. At any given time elk, antelope, mule deer, grouse, & coyotes can be found here. The property is rolling hills with draws running throughout with natural grasses and sagebrush. It borders a large reservoir on the northern border and Muddy Creek cuts through the northeastern portion.

Muddy Creek Ranch at Wallrock

This property is 643 acres & is located roughly 4 miles from the Home Ranch in the foothills of Wallrock basin just north of Wilsall. Most of the property is native grassland that slopes upward to foothills that are covered in sagebrush with a small pond that sits in a wooded draw in the southwest corner. The property has four natural drainages that run through it.

At any given time elk, antelope, Hungarian partridge, and coyotes can be found on the property. This property won't hold elk, it's something that they'll pass through on their way to and from food/water sources.

We also have a motocross track on the property in the southwestern section that is used mainly during the summer.

Muddy Creek Ranch offers beautiful, modern lodging in Wilsall only minutes from the ranch.

RV Sites Available:

We have multiple RV site options available with different pricing depending on what amenities you'll need.

  • RV camping with electric and water hookups, plus wifi: $95/night
  • RV experience ranch experience (full access to the ranch): $195/day(night)
  • Dry camping (no hookups): $55/night
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Karen S

Hosted by

Karen S

4.8(24 reviews)
Questions about activities, lodging or amenities?

Property Visited

Muddy Creek Ranch is situated between the Bridegers and the Crazy Mountains. This ranch has rolling hills, creek beds, and a reservoir with ample cover and food for deer and upland birds.  

kris-poirier
Property Visit on 7/11/2022

Kris Poirier

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LandTrust Field Rep

Available Packages

Hunting
Rifle Antelope Hunt
Starting Price $394 / Guest
4 Guests
3 Days
Lodging
RV Site(s)
Rifle Elk/Deer Hunt
Starting Price $525 / Guest
4 Guests
3 Days
Lodging
RV Site(s)
4 Guests
5 Days
Lodging
RV Site(s)
1 Guest
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Shoulder Season Cow Elk Hunt
Starting Price $75 / Guest
4 Guests
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Grouse Hunt
Starting Price $75 / Guest
1 Guest
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Coyote Hunt
Starting Price $75 / Guest
1 Guest
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Duck Hunt
Starting Price $75 / Guest
1 Guest
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Outdoor Recreation
Grass-Fed Beef Tour
Starting Price $75 / Guest
2 Guests
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Working Ranch RV Experience
Starting Price $20 / Guest
10 Guests
1 Day
RV Site(s)
Dry Camping
Starting Price $6 / Guest
10 Guests
1 Day
RV Site(s)
RV Camping Experience
Starting Price $10 / Guest
10 Guests
1 Day
RV Site(s)
DIY Bird Watching
Starting Price $50 / Guest
1 Guest
1 Day
RV Site(s)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be other hunters on the property for the days I book?
How is the population this year?
Will I receive property maps so that I can plan my hunt?
Does LandTrust allow a day for scouting pre-hunt?
How do I know every property/available package is authentic?

Property Access & Ground Rules

  • Check In: After 6:00 AM
  • Check Out: Before 7:00 PM
  • Nearby Interstate: 20+ miles
  • Nearby Highway: 0-10 miles
  • Nearby Airport: 20+ miles
  • Campfires: Not allowed
  • Pets: Not allowed on property
  • ATV's: Not allowed
  • Parking: Yes
  • Drive-in Access: Yes
  • Walk-in Access: Yes
  • Guests: 4 Allowed
Cancellation Policy: Refunds are only available within 48 hours of the landowner accepting your booking request. View Policy

Reviews (23)

4.8
  • Kris P
    Kris P

    We had a great time at Muddy Creek! Beautiful property and close to home. The elk were there, just on the wrong side of the fence...another day or two and we would have had them. Can't wait to get back there and try again next year!

    Reviewed by Guest on February 2024
  • Chuck S
    Chuck S

    Karen and Dave we're fantastic host. They made you feel more like friends than guest. We hunted Saturday and Sunday but came in on Friday and had asked to scout out the property some. They met us at the Bank and Bar and wrotw us out a map and went ocer the properties. Great start to the hunt. We saw lots of elk from the beginning. Unseasonably warm weather though was keeping them in the hills nust off property. Bring your shooting sticks, long shots will not be uncommon. On Saturday Karen text me mid day with a video letting us know they came down and we're in the field by the road. Herd of about 70. Our screw ups pushed the herd and we ended up missing a long shot at them. Stay at the house in town, it was great for 4 guys with beds and our extra guy put a cot down with a sleeping bag. If you eat at the bank and bar you had better be pretty freaking hungry if you order the Chicken Fried Steak, was freaking HUGE!

    Reviewed by Guest on January 2024
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Chuck’s group were fun and respectful

    Reviewed by Landowner on January 2024
  • Sean N
    Sean N

    Beautiful setting, worth a trip, and Karen is very helpful. I look forward to booking again soon!

    Reviewed by Guest on December 2023
  • JB
    Jason B

    We enjoyed our time on Muddy Creek Ranch. We did not have any issues accessing all 3 parcels. Karen was very responsive to all of our questions and was helpful in guiding us on where to best access the property. The house was a great place to stay and just a short walk away from the Bank Bar and Vault Restaurant. We enjoyed a great meal and a few drinks after a day of hunting. David came down to the restaurant and we got to meet him and he provided us recommendations on where to go the next day. We saw deer and antelope but no elk as the weather was unseasonably warm for the time of year. We did locate where elk have been accessing the ranch and were able to glass up elk one evening on the adjacent property. Overall it was a great trip and we will look at booking next shoulder season and possibly even again this shoulder season if we can make it work. Thank you Karen and David.

    Reviewed by Guest on December 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Great guys

    Reviewed by Landowner on December 2023
  • NL
    Nolan L

    Was a little disappointed that I could only access 1 of the 3 parcels of the ranch due to the roads. Would have been nice to have a heads up on the conditions before heading over there. No deer or elk on the property either. Could see it being decent if the elk move down. We just didn’t have any weather. Saw a group of mulies on the neighboring property.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Nolan and guests are welcome back any time.

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2023
  • KF
    Kevin F

    Karen was very helpful in pointing me in the right direction, and the property was great! I saw a few mule deer, LOTS of antelope, and was able to harvest my first bull elk! Afterwords I had a great meal at the restaurant in town that they own. Overall I had a great experience!

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Kevin is a responsive guest and respected our ranch like it belonged to his family. Would love to see him back.

    Reviewed by Landowner on October 2023
  • MS
    Matt S

    We enjoyed seeing the ranch and surrounding country. Karen was super responsive and helpful with advice and information. There were a lot of antelope on the property all 3 days we had access but we were looking for deer and elk. Unfortunately the deer population seems to be in rough shape this year and we saw very few on the property during our time. This has been the case statewide from what we have been seeing the last few years. Hopefully they bounce back. There was a small group of elk that came through during the youth hunt but the general season was not open yet. The elk population seems healthy as we did see a lot of elk in the surrounding country and good sign that they were using the Muddy Creek ranch also.

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Matt was a great guest leaving our ranch in the same condition he found it. Hope to see him back next year.

    Reviewed by Landowner on October 2023
  • JE
    Jake E

    Great experience hunting. We saw elk on the neighbors every day, ended up shooting a cow on the first evening. Could have filled plenty more tags if they were on the right side of the fence, the last evening there was 800-1000 head about 20 yards the wrong side of the fence. Karen was responsive and a great host.

    Reviewed by Guest on January 2024
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Fantastic guests

    Reviewed by Landowner on January 2024
  • JA
    Jennifer A

    Gorgeous property with a lot of cover. Karen was helpful and open to questions—super easy to communicate with. We enjoyed our day.

    Reviewed by Guest on September 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Jennifer and guests respected our land and left no trace of being there. Hope to see you back!

    Reviewed by Landowner on September 2023
  • LM
    Lindsey M

    We had a wonderful stay at Muddy Creek. We camped in our RV on the property. It was quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed dinner at the landowners restaurant in town, and absolutely loved learning about the ranch and all they do. Tons to do in the area, we hiked nearby Fairy lake, waters were a little too high for fishing but next time we would love to do that. The property is well maintained and the owners made us feel right at home.

    Reviewed by Guest on June 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Wow we so enjoyed sharing our ranch with this fantastic family.

    Reviewed by Landowner on June 2023
  • GJ
    Gary J

    We enjoyed our stay at Muddy Creek Ranch. The house worked out perfect for us and Karen was very accommodating. Game was scarce, however. Only saw a few muley does on the property. Also saw several flocks of Hungarian Partridge. Food at their restaurant was very good! Came home with memories of a fun time together surrounded by the beautiful mountains.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Fantastic guests

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2023
  • BH
    Bruce H

    Another great hunt on Muddy Creek Ranch. Karen & David are great hosts. We were there from 11/10-11/15. Plenty of game on the ranch. Rut just starting on the 15th. We got 2-Mule Deer and 1-Antelope. The house was very comfortable. If you don't want to cook just go down to the Vault and they'll fill you up. Thx Karen, hope to see you next year.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Bruce and guest are a fun group that love the outdoors. Hope to see you guys back next season.

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2023
  • JM
    Jobin M

    Karen and David were two of the nicest people and very helpful throughout the entire trip. Karen kept us updated with information where the animals were or might be. There was no lack of opportunity at this ranch. Saw animals from the first afternoon we went out to the last day. My group of 4 harvested 1 elk and 2 mule deer with quite a few other opportunities that didn’t work out. Their restaurant was a great place to go after a long day of hunting. Overall the experience was great and something we would all do again!

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2023
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Jobin and guests would be welcomed back anytime. Responsive group that really enjoys the sport.

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2023
  • FS
    Frank S

    Our group of two had an enjoyable 2-1/2 day hunt on the Muddy Creek Ranch during the late season. In the hilly sagebrush area, we spotted one bull elk (which one of us shot) and one medium-size muley buck (which we did not shoot). In the flat irrigated area, we spotted several whitetail does (which we did not shoot). We were able to access most of the ranch roads, although a few areas were drifted in with snow. Karen and her daughter were helpful in pointing out the best access points, etc. The house was very clean and comfortable, and the steaks at the restaurant were excellent. Overall, a fun hunt and a good trip.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2022
  • Conner T
    Conner T

    Karen’s place was great. We seen lots of deer and some good bucks. Lots of room to hunt! Thanks Karen!

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2022
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Conners group was very respectful to our property.

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2022
  • BH
    Bruce H

    We have just finished a wonderful four days at Muddy Creek Ranch. Karen and David were awesome hosts, answering our many questions and making us feel so welcome. The house was perfect and met all of our needs. Clean bedding and towels were provided. We didn't bother cooking with the Bank/Vault only a couple of blocks away. Bring your appetite if you get the Chicken Fried Steak. All the food was great and the staff wonderful. We had hoped the Elk would come in but that was not to be but we did harvest a nice 4x3 buck. Many opportunities for does if you have a tag. Beautiful ranch and you have the land to yourselves, except for the cows of course. It was a very memorable trip for all 4 of us. We will book again next year and look forward to going to Wilsall again. We sincerely thank Karen for everything.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2022
  • JM
    Jeff M

    Thank you again Karen for another great day on your ranch! A little rainy but still a memorable hunt. Even heard a nice herd of elk in the near distance. See you soon. Jeff

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2022
  • GP
    Geoff Pampush P

    Both David and Karen seemed like really good folks. David was very open and friendly. He told me right from the start that the Huns weren’t out in the open fields, but rather around his house and the other buildings he pointed out. I happened to grab lunch in the bar in Wilsall and realized by the article on the wall that they owned the bar and provided local beef to the bar and elsewhere. That gave me a good feeling about them and their business — I’m a total believer in local grass fed (and finished) beef. However, the property is not what I had hoped. I walked (by gps) 4.1 miles and my dog 9.1 miles and we didn’t see a single hun. Both David and Karen told me the Huns hang around the buildings. I didn’t really want to hunt around buildings where in addition to the buildings themselves there are fences, wire, livestock and people. But having tried the main body of the ranch, I even tried around the buildings and saw nary a bird (or I should say my dogs didn’t find a bird). It’s not a hun property. I’ve hunted upland birds, including many Huns, for nearly 50 years. This property is not for an upland bird hunter.

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2021
  • JM
    Jeff M

    Great place. Beautiful country. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2021
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Jeff is definitely welcome back to our ranch.

    Reviewed by Landowner on October 2021
  • CW
    Christopher W

    Muddy Creek is a great location with a ton of land. Game have access to water and there are a ton of pivots and uneven terrain for game to hide and feed. A warm day made for a lot of whitetail deer but the elk didn’t make their way to the fields but that is just how it goes some days. The ranchers were welcoming and helped guide me to the best locations for game. I’ll be going back soon and thank the Muddy Creek Ranch land owners for the opportunity.

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2020
  • SR
    Shawn R

    We had a great day hunting birds on Karen and Dave's property! We saw plenty of huns and were lucky enough to get a few. Plus, the views from the property are absolutely stunning. Will be back!

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2019
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Shawn was great to have out on the property for his bird hunt. Looking forward to hosting him and his group again soon!

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2019
  • Nic D
    Nic D

    Thanks to Dave & Karen I was able to harvest my first elk ever on the Muddy Creek Ranch! On Wednesday morning a couple hundred head of elk showed up down on their pivots and stayed throughout the day. There were some great bulls in the heard but at the end of the day I took the best shot I had which was at a 2yr old cow. What I learned is, don't let a huge heard in an open ag field deceive you, it's still very hard to get in range for a clean shot. There was a lot of belly crawling through snow, backing out and swinging around to do more belly crawling. I just cooked up some backstrap last night and couldn't have tasted better. Thanks Dave & Karen!

    Reviewed by Guest on November 2019
    Karen S
    Karen S

    We were happy to finally host Nic (LandTrust's founder) out on the ranch and even happier he was able to get his first elk ever! Looking forward to many more hunts!

    Reviewed by Landowner on November 2019
  • ES
    Eric S

    Had an amazing hunt. The muddy creek ranch did not disappoint. We had a nice heard of at least 60 antelope and chose a couple of great goats out of the heard. As we where leaving we spotted around 150 head of elk headed down to their hay fields. Highly recommend for your next antelope or elk hunt!

    Reviewed by Guest on October 2019
    Karen S
    Karen S

    Vern and his guys were great to host on the property. Looking forward to them coming out again and harvesting another great antelope buck!

    Reviewed by Landowner on October 2019

Landowner

Karen S

Hosted by

Karen S

4.8(24 reviews)
Response rate: 56%

My husband, David, & I run Muddy Creek Ranch in Wilsall, Montana. We're a fully integrated American Aberdeen (Lowline) cattle operation. Our breeding program is second to none using only proven grass genetics to produce superior offspring. We're also the owners of The Bank Bar & Vault Restaurant in Wilsall where we serve our delicious, grass-fed beef in burgers & steaks. When you come to hunt our properties come in and enjoy a great meal and a drink with us!

My husband, David, & I run Muddy Creek Ranch in Wilsall, Montana. We're a fully integrated American Aberdeen (Lowline) cattle operation. Our breeding program is second to none using only proven grass genetics to produce superior offspring. We're also the owners of The Bank Bar & Vault Restaurant in Wilsall where we serve our delicious, grass-fed beef in burgers & steaks. When you come to hunt our properties come in and enjoy a great meal and a drink with us!

Location

Karen S

Hosted by

Karen S

4.8(24 reviews)