Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, summer daytime temperatures hold between 70 and 80 degrees, with nighttime temps dropping to the 40s or 50s. We recommend packing layers so you can bundle up in the evenings and early mornings. For guests traveling to the Sweet Grass Lodge in Melville during the winter season, we suggest packing ample warm layers (including long johns!) and wind-breaking parkas or winter coats. However, it is best to check the weather before you pack, as it can vary dramatically during the late fall, winter, and spring.

Guests should bring their outdoor gear, clothing to layer when temperatures drop, bug spray and sunscreen, sunglasses, a good hat, groceries, a camera, a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle with a full size spare and a can of Fix-A-Flat (recommended), any specialty toiletries, and a set of the directions provided by our guest manager.

We provide pots, pans, kitchen and eating utensils, a gas grill, maps and guides, basic toiletries and pantry items, towels, linens, paper towels and Kleenex, laundry detergent, a first aid kit, coffee beans, ice, firewood, board games and cards, a few books and classic movies, binoculars, and a freezer-full of delicious beef (if you order with our guest manager) raised here on the ranch.

Yes! The J Bar L is the perfect place for your family vacation, whether your kids are teenagers eager for an outdoor adventure on their summer break or if they’re toddlers, excited to spot the birds and animals from their picture books. Because our rental homes and cabins are comfortably furnished and feature full kitchens and bathrooms, along with spacious common areas and washer/dryers, your family can explore the great Montana outdoors without sacrificing the conveniences and amenities of a private home on the range. No television service and limited cell service mean your screen-obsessed teens will join in the family fun. After a day of outdoor play, come home to relax, pull out a board game, pop a DVD in the player, and reconnect with your family away from the stresses of everyday life.

Our Centennial Valley properties are extremely secluded–when we say we’re in the middle of nowhere, we mean it. Our Centennial Valley homes are approximately 45 minutes from the nearest gas station and an hour and a half from the closest grocery store along dirt and gravel roads.

Our Melville headquarters, though rural, is only about 25 minutes from the nearest town.

There is limited cell service for Verizon customers on the ranch and throughout the Centennial Valley. Wi-fi and landlines are provided at our Smith and Anderson rental homes for your convenience. The Brundage cabins are truly off-the-grid, but we welcome you to use the internet and phone at the Stibal Barn as you come and go from your daily activities.

There is wi-fi and limited cell service available at the Sweet Grass Lodge at our Melville ranch headquarters.

The J Bar L Ranch’s Centennial Valley location is approximately 2 hours west of Yellowstone National Park. We recommend getting an early start so you can enjoy a full day at the park and take in its many sites.

No. However, every rental house comes with a full kitchen, outfitted with all the pots and pans you could need, along with some pantry basics (flour, sugar, etc.) and spices. We also provide every house with fresh coffee beans. If desired, we can also stock your freezer prior to your arrival with our ranch-raised beef for an additional fee, just let us know when you book and we can arrange accordingly.

If you are interested in having catered meals for your group, please let our guest manager know and she can provide you with a recommendation for booking.

For guests at the Sweet Grass Lodge in Melville, there is a small town grocery store, along with all standard services, in the town of Big Timber, located about 40 minutes from the lodge. The closest supermarket is about hour and 10 minute drive away, in Livingston.

For guests at our Centennial Valley location, there is a gas station, restaurant, and cafe in Lima, which is roughly 45 minutes from the ranch. The nearest supermarket is located in Dillon, about 1 ½-2 hours from the J Bar L Ranch. We strongly encourage folks to arrive on the ranch with everything they’ll need for their stay, since it requires a significant drive to collect any supplies.

The J Bar L is a BYOG (Bring Your Own Gear) facility. If you cannot travel with your own equipment, there are rental outfitters located in Dillon, Ennis, and other nearby towns that we are happy to direct you to.

While we are more than happy to provide you with booking recommendations, we are not a guest ranch and do not schedule activities for our guests staying at our vacation rental homes and cabins.

Our Centennial Valley vacation rentals are available May-October. While many folks think of Montana as the perfect backcountry summer escape, there is much to do in the area during the spring, fall, and winter. Watch for the spring migration of the trumpeter swans or visit us in the fall to see the aspens light up electric yellow as the season begins to turn. From our Sweet Grass Lodge in Melville, available October - May, ski, snowshoe, and snowboard to your heart’s content. Always wanted to bag that big buck? The Sweet Grass Lodge is a great place to stay during the hunting season. Or book a fly fishing weekend to catch the first hatch of early spring dry flies. Plan on touring Montana’s natural wonders? Visit either of our locations during the shoulder season and avoid long lines and crowded parks. We promise, Montana is breathtaking year-round!

The J Bar L’s Centennial Valley vacation rentals are nestled in the midst of critical wildlife migration path. You are sure to witness some of the numerous wildlife that call this valley home. We recommend you bring your camera (we provide binoculars to share) along with your common sense.

We have never had an incident or bad wildlife encounter at our vacation rentals, but please respect the wildlife and keep to yourself––remember these are wild animals, not pets. If you ever find yourself closer than you’d like to an animal, remain calm. Usually wildlife are not too keen on encountering humans and will avoid you if they see or hear you coming. Also be sure to not leave your food and drinks outside, since it can attract hungry critters. It is unlikely you will see any wolves or grizzlies (unless you go looking for them) while you are visiting the Centennial Valley, but you may spot a black bear or a moose, and you will certainly see antelope, deer, and some of the hundreds of bird species that flock in the valley.

If you plan on exploring in the nearby mountain ranges, we recommend taking every precaution to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This includes carrying bear spray, which is available at your vacation home or through our guest manager, and making some noise to ensure nearby wildlife know you’re on your way. For more great tips and suggestions for how to act around wildlife, please see the guide on the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website.

Yes! You can purchase a license at stores in town or through your guide, if you book with one of the region’s excellent outfitters.