All you have to do is hike…

Have you dreamed of hiking Montana without the burden of a heavy pack? Dropstone Outfitting is the only outfitter in the 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness that caters specifically to guided backcountry foot travel. We offer stock supported hiking trips where all you carry is a small daypack as you explore the peaks and valleys of the Bob. The trips are accompanied by a small string of pack animals that carry the rest of the gear. Also, we offer backpacking adventures, custom backcountry experiences, and day hiking opportunities. Drop camp services may also be provided.

Because we cater to foot travel, our trips concentrate on what we think makes for exceptional hiking adventures — beautiful vistas, remote locations, distinctive and often rarely used routes, and small group sizes. We focus on traveling with minimum impact to the land — practicing Leave No Trace Ethics — while providing you with good food, good company, and a specific knowledge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

How do you want to explore the Bob Marshall Wilderness?

Below are descriptions of the different adventures we offer in the 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Montana Backpacking Trips:

If you’re interested in backpacking in The Bob, we offer non-stock supported trips. Trip costs include meals, guiding, logistics, permit fees, one food drop, airport shuttle, group gear, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and trip map. Guests carry their own gear, food (provided) and some group gear. Expect backpacks to weigh between 35-45 pounds; group sizes are limited to eight participants.

Available gear rental includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking poles and backpacks.

Stock Support/Backpacking Combo Trips:

These are hybrid adventures – part of the trip has stock support and all the comforts that go along with it, while the other portion of the trip is strictly backpacking. These are ideal trips for The Bob – the horses and mule take a burden off your back while on the maintained trails, but the backpacking portion gets you off of the beaten path and into some truly remote and rugged country. Combination trip prices include food, guide services, stock support, airport shuttle, group gear, logistics, permit fees, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and map route. Available gear rental includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking poles and backpacks.

Group size limited to 8 – 10 people, and trip difficulty depends on route. Price varies according to trip.

Base Camp Hiking Trips and Workshops:

Fully guided hiking adventures with stock assistance to and from base camp. Horses and mules carry all your gear and food, and two experienced guides lead you on an adventure of a lifetime, with treks that include the formidable Mount Patrick Gass or the breathtaking Big River Meadows.  Many of these trips are themed and include a specialist in a certain area such as a naturalist or Yoga instructor. Trip prices include home-cooked meals, snacks, guide services, stock support, airport shuttle, group gear, group base camp facilities, logistics and planning, permit fees, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and map of the route.  Available gear rental includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking poles and backpacks.  Additional trip details and rates can be found here.

Backcountry Hunting Trips

Come join us for fair chase hunting on public lands. The Birch Creek area is a corridor used by mule deer and elk as they migrate from the interior of the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the Rocky Mountain Front. Here at Dropstone, we believe the hunt is as important as the harvest and that having a true desire to be in the mountains is an important part of the adventure. We offer several services–from drop camps to guided hunts. Call or email us to inquire about drop camp dates or check out hunting opportunities here.

Custom Trips:

You dream it up, and we help with the rest–this includes backpacking, day hikes, stock-supported trips, and any wild ideas that need some additional support. We only take a limited number of custom trips each year and are scheduling out two years in advance.

Drop-camps:

We offer limited drop-camp and food drop services. Call for inquiries.

Gear Rental:

• Tents ($30)
• Sleeping bag w/liner ($30)
• Sleeping pads ($30)
• Hiking poles ($15)
• Backpacks/daypacks ($30)
• The whole package is $100 including a pack or $90 w/o a pack.