It’s Big Sky country, with air so clear you can see for a hundred miles. In a picturesque valley, golden grasses swirl like brushstrokes and the Ponderosa pines paint patterns in the sky. This land appears wild, untouched but for nature’s paintbrush, and yet, people have lived in harmony amidst these fields and forests for centuries. That tradition continues today with the experience at the green o, a Montana woodland hideaway that connects guests to the heart and soul of this land.

the green o is so immersed in nature that visitors won’t see it unless they know what they’re looking for. Nestled in a forest of towering pines at the southern edge of the 37,000 acre Paws Up Ranch, it’s the best kept secret in Montana. Guests have their pick of four varieties of Haus accommodations, where they will experience the magical realism borne from a coexistence of the natural and luxurious.

Living amongst the trees takes on a whole new meaning at the Tree Haus, two story arboreal accommodations perched 15 feet in the air. Guests ascend a spiral staircase to the entrance, and are rewarded with 360 degrees of floor-to-ceiling windows and a panoramic view of the trees. The spiral up the last of the steps brings guests to their top floor sleeping quarters, where they will enjoy pine-scented dreams amidst the treetops.

Deeper in the forest lies the Round Haus, with prime daytime views for watching wildlife and unrivaled nighttime stargazing from the rooftop deck. The Green Haus, by contrast, offers a living roof—an elevated garden of native grasses—and a skylight above the bed so guests need not leave the comfort of this sanctuary for a view of the spangled sky. The Light Haus is perhaps the coziest of all, illuminated within by two fireplaces, and without by the moonlight that peers into the windows through the surrounding branches.

Trees are perennial and omnipresent at the green o, and so ubiquitous they even appear in the cuisine. Douglas fir tips are not an uncommon ingredient in decadent dishes at The Social Haus Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, a venue which can also be found in the forest, within walking distance from each haus. In tune with primordial nature and primal cooking techniques, the restaurant centers around an open kitchen with live-fire cooking. Tender, ranch-raised elk and beef are roasted to perfection over the flames and peppered with the flavor of the land. Accompanying ingredients are foraged from local farms and forests, and favored garnishes exude the essence of cherry and wild chamomile.

It’s wild horses, however, that have fostered the true spirit of the ranch. The green o acres are patrolled by a population of rescued mustangs that romp and relish their connection to the land. Guests have the opportunity to connect with these horses through sessions in Horse Whispering. Designed to build mutual trust and respect between horse and human, this is a soul-searching exercise that fosters communication beyond action or words. Learning to read a horse’s cues and react accordingly requires a kind of introspection that results in a better understanding of oneself and a strengthened connection to the surrounding world.

Even more equestrian activities abound at the green o in wintertime, where guests can experience a series of unique horse events. Cow Croquet in an indoor arena is a new sport invented on the ranch, and puts riders abilities to the test by challenging them to herd a group of cows through a series of pens and gates, all while racing against the clock. But an even more exhilarating horse-drawn activity is skijoring, where skiers hold on tight to a rope as a horse and rider pull them at a gallop—perhaps the most exhilarating way to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

A ride of a different kind will give guests an omniscient view of the Montana land and sky. Hot air balloons ascend any time of year for an unparalleled view of sweeping scenery in every season. From summer to winter, a patchwork quilt of greens and golds frosts into a blanket of white. The trip soars as high as the golden eagles, offering a bird’s eye-view for a hundred miles in any direction. The balloon flies high enough to be swallowed by the sky, but the pilot will also take guests low enough that they can hear the rush of Blackfoot River and pluck pine cones straight from the trees.

After a day of adventures, one can experience the river even more intimately at Spa Town, a collection of tents stretching out beneath the sky. Here, a hot stone treatment with rocks from Blackfoot River or a purifying mineral mud wrap offer complete relaxation and rejuvenation from the healing powers of nature.

Located in the remote township of Greenough, Montana, the green o is nestled amidst an expanse of land that has inspired the imagination for centuries. Local legend proclaims that Captain Meriwether Lewis traveled through these trees returning from his formative expedition, an adventure that would foster generations of dreams of heading West. The green o, an intimate retreat amidst an expansive landscape, indulges such dreams of returning to nature, and turns them into a reality.