Riding gentle giants at Clydesdale Outpost

By Jenna Justice and Kambel Wyse

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting a gentle giant, the Clydesdale Outpost in Whitefish, Montana, is where that dream comes true. 

Towering, powerful, and impossibly majestic, Clydesdale horses step out of postcards and into real life here at this ranch near Whitefish, inviting visitors to experience their grace up close.

Just 15 minutes north of Whitefish along U.S. 93, the ranch feels like a world apart from the hustle of the Flathead Valley. Post-and-beam cabins, cedar hot tubs, and carefully curated events set the stage for a getaway that’s as relaxing as it is unforgettable. But it’s the horses — their sheer size, calm presence, and curious nature — that truly steal the show, leaving every guest in awe long after their visit ends.

On our visit, we arrived at the Clydesdale Outpost and headed straight to the Welcome Center, where we were oriented to the sprawling 92-acre property and shown to our modern accommodations. Warm, knowledgeable staff immediately made us feel at home, and we were charmed by the owner’s parents, who were busy putting the finishing touches on the entryway for the annual Haunted Hayride.

The Haunted Hayride is a seasonal highlight, with live music, food trucks, local vendors, and plenty of thrills along the spooky trail. We joined the fun last October and were delighted from start to finish. We sampled sweet treats, met the majestic Clydesdales, enjoyed the live music, and braced ourselves as the horses carried us through the “Haunted Passage,” a twisting, atmospheric ride filled with eerie sounds and chilling live actors. (Tip: Families with small children may want to visit earlier in the evening for a gentler scare.)

Christmas is a special season at the Outpost, offering festive sleigh rides through the snow and proudly hosting a Toys for Tots holiday drive to support local families in need.

We drove up to our cabin, Junegrass, and pulled into the private carport, immediately feeling the promise of a peaceful retreat. We discovered a charming two-bedroom, one-bath hideaway, complete with a cozy living room, a compact and efficient kitchen with induction burners (no oven), and a generous deck perfect for soaking in the surroundings. A clever feature of the kitchen is the pass-through window to the deck, conveniently positioned next to the outdoor barbecue—perfect for serving meals al fresco.

Tall ceilings throughout the cabin enhance its airy, luxurious atmosphere, while the bathroom is sleek, modern, and thoughtfully appointed with contemporary fixtures. Though the cabins are located near one another, clever orientation ensures complete privacy. Each cabin overlooks the winding Stillwater River, offering sweeping vistas of Montana’s rugged, breathtaking landscape — a setting that makes it easy to feel a world away.

The cabin’s water features feel like something straight out of an architectural magazine. The bathroom dazzles with stone bowl sinks, gleaming marble countertops, and a spacious walk-in shower crowned with a rainfall shower that makes every morning feel indulgent. Through a separate door, you step onto the back deck to your very own cedar hot tub — intimate, just big enough for two, and utterly perfect for chilly Montana nights under the Big Sky.

Visiting in autumn was a dream: the air crisp after dark, the stars sparkling overhead, and the hot tub inviting us to linger in warmth while the night whispered around us. Each hot tub is completely private and thoughtfully positioned next to a hammock—ideal for alternating between soaking and swinging into relaxation under the open sky.

Our evening was a blissful mix of hot-tubbing under the stars, puzzle-making by lamplight, and quiet reading — no televisions here, just peace. The cabin’s record collection drew us in: an eclectic array spinning everything from Gregorian chants to ’70s soft rock to Broadway musicals. We giggled and sang along, delighted to discover that hundreds — perhaps thousands — more albums were tucked away in the barn’s storage area near the Welcome Center.

The next morning, well-rested and refreshed, we set out to explore the property. Our dog Zoe, ever eager and on leash, led the way along the Stillwater River. Following the Peninsula Trail, we passed a group of Clydesdale riders on their morning jaunt, admired the gentle flow of the river, and took in the brilliant wash of fall color around us. The hike was peaceful and accessible, an easy trail suitable for walkers of all ability levels.

That evening we ventured into nearby Whitefish to visit the Outpost’s sister property — the Clydesdale Creamery. There, we indulged in the pièce de résistance: Hot Fudge Nachos — a whimsical masterpiece of waffle cone chips, Oreo wafers, cookie dough and salted caramel ice creams, all drizzled with hot fudge and caramel sauce, and crowned with a generous cloud of whipped cream.  “Decadent” doesn’t quite capture it. Watching the ice cream wrangler craft towering desserts behind the counter was nearly as satisfying as eating them.

“This is our joy project.  It was born during a healing season in our lives, and we wanted to create a space that raediates happiness," owner Matt Arnold-Ladensack said.  Located in downtown Whitefish, it’s a whimsical milkshake, espresso, and ice cream saloon where nostalgia meets Montana charm. "Every shake is a little work of art--- and a celebration," he said.

Arnold-Ladensack and partner Benjamin Ladensack are busy developing future projects that enhance the Clydesdale Outpost brand. For instance, Clydesdale Market will be a home and goods brand inspired by ranch living, and Clydesdale Wedding Company will host beautiful ceremonies and celebrations, all part of their single vision to spread joy, connection, and beauty through place-based experiences.

And then it happened: on our final morning at the Outpost, we did the unimaginable — we rode Clydesdales.

If you’ve never seen one up close, be prepared: these horses are even more enormous and majestic than you might expect. Their sheer size is awe-inspiring, especially for those accustomed to other horses. Standing beside one, the saddle hovered well above Kambel’s head — and he’s nearly six feet tall. Thankfully, a sturdy mounting step helped us ascend into the saddle with a bit of dignity.

The Clydesdales’ remarkable nature became instantly clear when we took to the trail. These animals are not only powerful and intelligent but also astonishingly gentle. Accustomed to carrying guests, they move with patience and calm, guided by a seasoned wrangler who matches their steady temperament.

Our trail guide, Kambr, was knowledgeable, charismatic, and deeply connected to the horses she works with daily. As we ambled along one of the Outpost’s scenic loops, she explained that the rides aren’t merely for guests’ enjoyment — they also serve to exercise and reinforce the horses’ training. When Kambel’s horse began to meander, Kambr smoothly redirected them, demonstrating both her expertise and the ongoing training relationship between rider and horse.

The ride on a Clydesdale is remarkably smooth, perhaps due to the horses’ broad stance and natural balance. As we crested a hill and made our way back to the barn, our Clydesdales carried us with effortless grace. They stood patiently as we dismounted — though Jenna’s exit from the saddle was less than elegant, her horse remained utterly unfazed. Sliding down from such height felt a bit like freefalling, a giddy drop that reminded us just how monumental these animals truly are.

If you go, we highly recommend wearing cowboy boots — they make it much easier to slip your feet into the stirrups of these gentle giants. Riding them is more than a novelty; it’s a humbling, joyful encounter with strength, serenity, and soul.

As we packed up to leave the Clydesdale Outpost, we found ourselves lingering for one last look at the mist lifting off the Stillwater River, one final nuzzle from a curious horse at the fence line. 

It’s rare to find a ranch getaway in Montana that balances such grandeur with genuine warmth, but here, beneath Montana’s endless sky, that harmony feels effortless. The Clydesdale Outpost isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience in connection, between people, animals and the wild beauty that surrounds them.

Long after you’ve returned home, you’ll still hear the steady rhythm of hooves and remember the feeling of being part of something quietly extraordinary.

ABOUT THE OWNERS

We spoke with owners Ben and Matt, who offered the following insights into the Clydesdale world:

What is your customer service philosophy and how do you curate the guest experience?
At Clydesdale Outpost, our guest experience is rooted in one word: connection. We believe hospitality should feel personal, not transactional. Whether you’re arriving for a romantic getaway, a family retreat, or just a moment of stillness, we meet you with warmth, presence, and intention. Every touchpoint—from the smell of fresh wood in the cabins to the quiet awe of seeing a Clydesdale up close—is curated to create a sense of wonder and belonging. We treat our guests like extended family, and our goal is always to exceed expectations while making it feel effortless.

Tell us about the future of the Clydesdale Outpost. What are your dreams?
The Outpost was born from a dream, and we’re just getting started. Our vision is to grow Clydesdale Outpost into a nationally recognized destination that still feels deeply personal and rooted in Montana’s magic. We’re building experiences that blend luxury with authenticity—whether it’s our upcoming Event Barn for dream weddings and corporate Events, immersive seasonal events, or expanding our guest ranch offerings. Long-term, we hope to add 8 new cabins, a larger Clydesdale barn and a new welcome center with a restaurant.

Why did you choose to specialize in this breed? How did you pick this location?
Clydesdales are more than horses—they’re living legends. There’s something about their presence that stops you in your tracks: their strength, their grace, their gentle eyes. We wanted to build a business around that feeling. Ben has been breeding Clydesdales with his father in Germany for over 35 years. What started as a hobby turned into a business as guests wanted to see and interact with these large horses. This land in Whitefish, Montana called to us and is a perfect habitat for the Clydesdales. It has a mythic quality—towering pines, open skies, and a sense of calm that’s hard to describe. It felt like the perfect place to create something rare: a place where these magnificent animals could thrive, and guests could feel transported.

There are so many, but one that always sticks with me is a couple who stayed with us on a romantic getaway. They arrived during a quiet snowfall, just in time to witness the birth of a Clydesdale foal. They were in awe—tears, silence, laughter—the full range. They said it felt like the universe timed everything perfectly for them. That’s the kind of magic that happens here. And honestly, it’s our team that makes those moments possible. We’ve had staff members drop everything to help a guest set up a surprise proposal, or ride out in the rain just to make a kid’s birthday ride unforgettable. It’s not in the job description—but it’s in their hearts. And that makes all the difference.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jenna Justice and Kambel Wyse are travel writers based in Bigfork, Montana, where the Swan Mountains meet majestic Flathead Lake.