J Bar L Ranch - Smith House

"We are a family of 5 and spent 3 amazing nights at Smith House in August 2018. I stumbled upon pictures of the ranch while looking for a place to stay after visiting Yellowstone NP and I instantly knew I had to visit this place. And what can I say? We were not disappointed. Being from Europe, the vastness and solitude of this place were a very special experience for us, the landscape is simply breathtaking. We were worried that the kids (5, 3 and 1 at the time) would be bored in such a secluded place, but we were wrong. We went on hikes and they roamed the surroundings, and at night we sat together playing board games... it was perfect. And Lauren was a lovely host. She was very helpful and had all the information we needed. I truly hope that we will make it back here some day!"

"We spent three magnificent nights at the Smith House from May 21st through the 24th. Our experience was truly delightful and the layout and location of the property exceeded expectations. This well furnished home featured three spacious suites with plenty of room for three couples or a large family. The wrap around deck offered several vistas of the valley and snow capped mountains, each with its own character and charm. We were greeted each morning with wake up calls from the herd and the chirping of white pelicans gathering at the pond on the other side of our road. Our journey began in Salt Lake City five days earlier and we meandered through Deer Valley, Jackson, the Grant Tetons and Yellowstone before reaching our final destination in the the majestic Centennial Valley. It was the icing on the cake of one of the most amazing trips that we have taken in recent years. Enjoy the drive in from West Yellowstone and take time to pull over for the numerous photo opportunities you will encounter along the way. We were fortunate to see a wide variety of wildlife including Moose, Elk, badgers and Pronghorns. The driving experience sets the tone for the entire experience so don’t rush it and be sure to take it all in! The Smith House location is a short drive from Route 15 for those that wish to venture out and see a little more of the great state of Montana. We loved the little community of Monida, aptly named for its positioning on the two state borders. Lima was also an interesting little town known for it’s myriad of outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, camping and mountain biking. The drive to Dillon, Bannack State Park and the ghost towns of Virginia and Nevada cities are an enjoyable highway drive away and provide historical perspectives on the gold rush and fascinating cowboy lore. Idaho Falls is also a short drive to the south and a nice change of pace. They have a minor league baseball team and also a semi-pro football team if you want to experience the local sports scene. All of the above being said, it’s equally as important to cherish the downtime and peace and serenity captured in this picture perfect setting. The Smith House is stocked with all that you need to prepare mountain meals, highlighted by the delicious steaks and angus burgers offered at very reasonable prices from the J Bar L Ranch. We grabbed a few extra bottles of red wine to enjoy with our meals and warmed up after dinner in front of one of the two stoves listening to cowboy campfire songs and planning our itinerary for the next day. Horseback riding Is a “must do”! Ask Lauren to connect you with Casey Smith, a real life cowboy and a wealth of information with firsthand knowledge on all aspects of life in the Centennial Valley. He’ll cook you amazing local fare next to a campfire and take you to some of the most breathtaking sights in the entire valley. He’s great company and don’t be surprised if you exchange contact information and make arrangements to have Elk steaks shipped to you after your journey has ended! Lauren, we can’t thank you enough for your guidance and support with our preparation months before our visit and for your ongoing communication throughout our trip. You went above and beyond to help us maximize our time out west and take advantage of the unique attractions and culinary delights in each of our stops on the journey from SLC. We hope to return later in the year to share this hidden gem with friends and family!"