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Fans of the CW’s docuseries The Wranglers — inspired by the hit series Yellowstone — want to know more about where filming took place. Go inside Montana’s famed Circle Bar Ranch and how you can stay there.
Where Is the Circle Bar Ranch Located?
The ranch is in the remote back country of Montana’s Judith Basin. It sits outside the tiny town of Hobson, which had a population of 179 people as of the 2020 census. The closest major cities of Bozeman and Billings, Montana, are both more than a two-hour drive from the ranch.
According to the ranch’s website, it “allows guests to explore the mountains by horseback, fish for trout in cascading streams, hike to see the bountiful wildlife, or take guided tours into the National Forest.”
The ranch is primarily known for its stunning horseback riding options but also allows for guests to stay “in-ranch to learn how to sort cattle,” for a true Old-West experience.
How Big Is the Circle Bar Ranch?
The 520-acre dude ranch sits at the base of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
When Was the Circle Bar Ranch Founded?
The ranch dates back to the 1880s, when a then-teenage Charles Marion Russell moved from Missouri and began learning to wrangle and paint in the Judith Basin. He went on to become one of the West’s most famous painters. In 1890, the ranch took on the name “S Lazy 4 Bar,” one of Montana’s earliest brands.
The owners obtained a hotel license in 1904 with the goal of turning the ranch into a guest property with food and lodging. It became known under the new brand Circle Bar Ranch in 1920.
How Can Visitors Stay at the Circle Bar Ranch?
There are several options for vacationers. Three “Buffalo Rooms” are available inside the main lodge, which feature king-sized beds. They’re adjacent to the ranch’s restaurant and main living room.
The Ranch House is ideal for groups or families, as it sleeps eight and includes a full kitchen, four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
There are also nine separate wood cabins on the ranch that can be rented, featuring a variety of sizes and views.
When Is the Circle Bar Ranch Open for Guests?
It is only open in the warmer months. For The Wranglers viewers who want to plan an upcoming stay, the next season will run from May 21 to September 30, 2025.
Who Is Circle Bar Ranch Owner Russell True?
Russell grew up on a ranch as a child and launched his dude ranching career in 1982. He now owns the True Ranch Collection, which includes six guest ranches in Arizona, Montana and Wyoming. Russell bought the Circle Bar Ranch in 2021.
In addition to authoring the 2016 book Dude Ranching in Arizona, Russell was seen in the first episode of The Wranglers telling a group of wranglers that he is interested in promoting one of them to head wrangler.
What Is ‘The Wranglers’ About?
The docuseries focuses on 20-something dude ranch workers who “work tirelessly to cater to the needs of their demanding clients while also juggling their personal lives and the inherent drama that comes from living and working with a group of attractive and independent cowboys and cowgirls,” the CW described the show when announcing the series in August 2024.
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