“How would you like to meet the first rottweiler to become a retriever?” Dave Lipson, owner of the Paws Up Ranch, asked me. I glanced down at my feet where a large black friend had taken up residence. “He watched the labs working the birds and figured he didn’t want to be left out,” Dave concluded. With that I was welcomed to the “Paws Up” family on my recent visit. I was greeted warmly by all the staff, treated to a fine lunch and shown the future of this seven mile stretch of the Blackfoot River in Montana.

The Paws Up Ranch takes its name from the affectionate greeting a large dog will give by rising up and putting both paws on a visitor’s chest. That friendly greeting, minus the dirty paws, is what the resort wants to project to people when they are welcomed to the resort property. Opening in June 2005, Paws Up will be offering an unforgettable experience for the traveler to western Montana.
When Dave and Nadine Lipson purchased the ranch they began their own cattle operation with registered Black Angus stock. In addition to their herd, which currently numbers eight hundred, the Lipsons have added one hundred horses and a 75,000-square-foot riding facility known as the Saddle Club. Anyone who has driven the section of Montana Highway 200 winding through the ranch will be familiar with this enormous building and the impressive arch that stands over the entrance to the property.
The Lipson’s recognize that ranching has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of this part of Montana. They also realize recreation is at the heart of the future for this beautiful valley. “We will be allowing our guests to experience Montana and all its wonders while being treated to the finest accommodations and dining experiences we have to offer,” the general manager said: “We envision a full resort experience, not a traditional dude ranch. There will be cattle and horses in the pastures, but we will be focusing on a luxury experience for our guests with a variety of activities.”
A short drive up the hillside behind the main ranch headquarters, I was introduced to the luxury accommodations available at the Resort at Paws Up. The attention to fine details in these homes makes them sumptuous, warm and inviting. The bathrooms have unique etched glass windows and heated granite-tile floors. Western-style leather furniture arranged in front of large stone fireplaces invites guests to sit and relax in comfort. Impressive hand-hewn log beds with the softest linens will provide rest for the weary traveler. Large LCD televisions add a special touch. The best description for these homes is simply “comfortable elegance.”
The Resort at Paws Up has accommodations for up to 90 guests. Two restaurants give visitors the choice of formal dining in the Pomp or casual dining in the Tank and Trough. Four distinct home styles are available, depending on the number of guests and their needs. For group events, the Bunkhouse, with its communal sleeping arrangement on the upper floor of a renovated barn, is perfect for a family reunion. Quiet solitude can be found at the Morris House, which is a renovated historic building from 1908 when the Morrises first started their cattle operation here. This home is located away from the main buildings on the ranch, offering more privacy than the other accommodations. With room for up to six each, the Big Timber and Meadow Homes are gently nestled into the forest above the main ranch and offer a magnificent view of the valley below.
With all the beauty and comfort in these accommodations, guests could be forgiven for staying indoors while on a visit to Paws Up. Sadly, however, if they didn’t leave their rooms, they would miss out on the wonders of this special piece of Montana. Although the accommodations provide the comforts, it is the natural beauty that will linger as the finest memories. Guests will find excellent fishing and floating opportunities along seven miles of the meandering Blackfoot River. More than 120 miles of trails wind their way through the property, leading you to impressive rock outcrops, wide open meadows or the Garnet Ghost Town, depending on the direction of your wandering. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound: elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lions and eagles are among the frequent visitors. The Resort also has mountain bikes, all terrain vehicles and horses available for your exploration experiences.
If you are not satisfied with all the room to roam on the ranch itself, then a short journey to the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness will satisfy the most adventurous traveler with pack trips, guided hikes and outfitted hunting. Paws Up Outfitters has teamed up with legendary outfitter Smoke Elser and accomplished outdoorsman John Way to offer guests an unforgettable outfitting experience. A day of fly fishing on the Blackfoot for native cutthroat trout, or a multi-day trip on the South Fork of the Flathead will satisfy any fishing enthusiast. Other guests may choose horseback trips into the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, where they may lose themselves among the wildlife, the mountains and the stars in these pristine 1.5 million acres. Big-game hunting is available from September through October and features the same level of service and attention to detail that a guest will find at the resort. “Roughing it Redefined” is the hallmark of this exceptional outfitting experience. Deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals and hot showers will satisfy the most bone weary traveler. Can you imagine sleeping on a down bed after a day of hiking in the wilderness when you are miles from the nearest road?
If you are looking for a new challenge or the opportunity to do something different, then you may enjoy the unique opportunity of shooting sporting clays at Paws Up. Sporting clay courses are designed to simulate bird and rabbit flight patterns. One hundred biodegradable clay pigeons are shot at through the thirteen station course. Each station has the targets moving at different speeds and trajectories. The best part is that guests need only a desire to try something new to participate; everything else is provided.
A stay at the Resort at Paws Up will provide countless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, providing the vacationer with a satisfying sample of what Montana has to offer—whether quiet retreats featuring walks along the river or all out adventure, the choice is yours. The Resort at Paws Up can customize any vacation to satisfy the most demanding outdoor enthusiasts.
The land on which the Paws Up Ranch is situated has witnessed many changes. Historic events have shaped it, and people have used it for many different purposes. Wealth in the form of fish and game, gold, trees, pastures and now recreational pursuits has been found here in abundance. I am pleased to know that Dave and Nadine Lipson have embraced its history and chosen to maintain and share its natural beauty and wildness.

Read the historical side bar to this story.