Historic Crail Ranch Homestead
Guided Tours + Self-Guided Exploration
The Historic Crail Ranch is a local treasure, preserving public access to Big Sky’s past. The Crail Ranch includes a homestead museum, gardens, and park, connecting to the Big Sky trail system via the Crail Ranch Trail.
History & Preservation
The Story of the Historic Crail Ranch & Museum.
Self-Guided Tour
Take yourself on a tour of the homestead.
Events & Education
What’s happening at the Historic Crail Ranch & Museum.
Conservators
The Historic Crail Ranch Conservators were established in 2006.
Publications & Media
Photos and videos, blogs, and publications.
Get Involved
Learn about improvements, our location, and volunteer opportunities.
From guided tours to self-guided experiences, BSCO is proud to help ensure this meaningful piece of shared history is not only preserved, but remains accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Historic Crail Ranch
Established as a homestead by Augustus Franklin Crail in 1902, and occupied by Crail family members for nearly half a century, the Historic Crail Ranch remains as a tangible reminder of the life of the earliest settlers in the Big Sky area.
For nearly 50 years, the Crail family ranched on this land, raising sheep, cattle, hay and wheat, and eventually expanding their holdings to 960 acres.
When Chet Huntley and his group came to the area in the late 1960s, the Crail Ranch buildings and property were among the first that they purchased for their planned Big Sky Resort.
Today the Crail Ranch is preserved as a homestead museum, offering guided tours on Sundays from 12 – 3PM June through September. The Crail Ranch grounds are open during daylight hours for walking tours, picnicking or connecting onto our trail system via the Crail Ranch Trail.
Homesteads to Huntley Video
This short feature film explores early meadow homesteaders and renowned NBC News anchor and Montana native Chet Huntley’s first vision for Big Sky Resort including rare photos and film footage. Visit the link below to view the film.
Volunteer
We are actively seeking new volunteers for the Historic Crail Ranch Conservators Committee and museum tour guides for the summer season. If you have an interest in local history and time to work on history projects, pitch-in at our summer events or serve as a seasonal tour guide we want to hear from you! Please email your contact information to crailranch@bsco.org
Donate
Restoration and maintenance of the Historic Crail Ranch buildings and grounds is a key part of the Crail Ranch Conservators mission made possible through the financial support received from donors each year and the efforts of many community volunteers.
Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to:
Historic Crail Ranch
P.O. Box 161404
Big Sky, MT 59716
Location
Crail Ranch is located in the Meadow Village in Big Sky, Montana. From Route 191, proceed west on Lone Mountain Trail (Hwy 64) 1.9 miles to the Meadow Village Center. Turn right onto Little Coyote Road, go past Chapel and ponds to Spotted Elk Rd. Turn left on Spotted Elk Rd and the ranch will be located on your left.
For Summer 2022: Check back for more information on what is new this upcoming summer.
