Sage Lodge – Romantic Getaway

My hubby, Jim and I found the perfect spot to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Sage Lodge is a wonderful romantic getaway, offering rustic elegance and the exceptional beauty of Paradise Valley, Montana. Located on the banks of the Yellowstone River and just 35 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park, Sage Lodge offers the ultimate Montana luxury resort getaway. It’s an idyllic headquarters from where you can launch a day of fly fishing, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or any other endeavor that calls your name. In today’s post, I’ll share our experience at Sage Lodge, including their private Yellowstone National Park tour.

Rooms & Amenities

The drive to Sage Lodge was beautiful, especially when we entered Paradise Valley, Montana. This valley leaves a lasting impression. The Absaroka Mountains tower over one side, the Gallatin Range over the other, and the Yellowstone River cuts through its center. It’s home to natural beauty and deep history.

Sage Lodge was the perfect spot to celebrate our 25th anniversary! Jim and I enjoy being outdoors and the lodge’s trail system offers plenty of space to roam. Our room was comfortable offering a queen bed, small couch, table and fireplace. The bathroom was decent size, including a large shower. We were on the first floor, so we could walk onto our patio or out to the conveniently located hot tub. The room was perfect for relaxing in front of the fireplace, reading on the patio or enjoying a cocktail at sunset.

Sage Lodge delivers unbound access to the outdoor wonders of Montana, and there is something for everyone, including those who want to indulge in a range of creature comforts. The onsite amenities are extensive, so whatever you feel like doing, it’ll still feel like you’re getting away. When you’re not outside hiking, biking, or fishing, you can still treat your body well inside – whether in the fitness center, luxurious spa, or outdoor hot tub.

A stay at Sage Lodge includes robust seasonal programming, including daily staff-led activities, including axe throwing, fly fishing, yoga, live music, guided stargazing, and more. They also have fun activities that the kiddos will not soon forget, including archery. Our senior pup, Hanna was treated like a special guest, which included a dog bed, blanket, treats and doggie daycare while we explored Yellowstone National Park.

Property

We spent a few hours exploring the outdoor areas of the property via the trail system. With four trail options, you can walk, hike, or bike your way to the riverfront beach on the Yellowstone, the Apple Orchard, or cruise through fields at the base of the Absaroka Mountains. With over 1200 acres of private land to explore, there’s plenty of room at Sage Lodge to spread out.

The following day, we spent some time exploring the trails adjacent to the Yellowstone River. We saw many birds, including Great Blue Herons flying to and from their nesting area, which is called a rookery. This area is used for a kid’s archery scavenger hunt that sounded so good, I wanted to join them!

Once we got back to the lodge, we were able to sit back and relax in one of the many indoor or outdoor guest areas. The soaring ceilings and gorgeous views out of the lobby’s windows are a great spot to play a game of Scrabble. The more intimate lounge area near our room offered free coffee, tea and snacks. Don’t forget to ask one of the many friendly hotel staff members about roasting s’mores around the outdoor firepits.

Restaurants

Then, when you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Fireside Room or The Grill for an authentic Montana meal. During our stay, The Grill was only open on the weekend, but the food and cocktails at the Fireside Room were delicious. We enjoyed several meals there, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. The entire Sage Lodge team were amazing, but the wait staff at Fireside made our anniversary truly special.

Yellowstone National Park Tour

Yellowstone National Park is about 35 minutes from the lodge, but with our short stay we decided to book one of the lodge’s Yellowstone Adventures. Our certified Montana Master Naturalist guide offered a custom-curated tour of Yellowstone, focusing on the Wolves of Yellowstone in detail while still allowing us to enjoy all the park’s wildlife and sights. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and shared one of the park’s most fascinating aspects and what makes Yellowstone truly unique – Wolves of Yellowstone!

Wolves of Yellowstone

We got to see 16 wolves up close and personal. Our guide had binoculars for both of us, plus he set up a spotting scope, which allowed us to feel like we were standing right in front of the pack. Not only did we hear a lone black wolf from the Wapiti Lake pack howl, I saw him open his muzzle slightly, then call out to his pack members. After watching him and a coyote for a while, we headed down the road, where our guide spotted the Junction Butte pack. At one point, a few of the wolves surrounded a lone bison and nipped at his hindquarters. He kicked at them and it was over before it even started when another bison trotted over to join the drama. The Junction Butte pack is frequently spotted in Lamar Valley and are known for cooperative hunting and raising large litters.

Since their reintroduction to Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have become the park’s most popular, iconic, and controversial residents. Our Montana Naturalist guide spoke about the wolf’s history in the park, as well as its complicated relationship with mankind in the West. We learned about their adaptive behaviors and social structure as we watched them travel through their home range. We spent an unforgettable day in Yellowstone’s fabled Northern range and certainly returned home with a greater appreciation for the park’s most famous residents.

Yellowstone is home to many animals, as well as natural beauty unlike any other place in the world. The hot springs alone are famous, but Yellowstone offers visitors much to see and do. Whether you want to spot pronghorn, bison, or elk from the car or plan to hike some of the many trails, you will find something to love.

History of Yellowstone

The first recorded exploration of Yellowstone was conducted by John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1807. Colter ventured into the region in search of furs and was amazed by the geothermal features he encountered, including geysers, hot springs, and mudpots. However, it’s important to note that for thousands of years before Colter and other explorers came to Yellowstone, the region was home to and traveled by many Native American tribes, who used its geothermal features for both practical and spiritual purposes.

Archaeological evidence shows humans in the Yellowstone area for at least 11,000 years, with tools, campsites, and even obsidian from the region’s cliffs found across the landscape. Early inhabitants hunted, gathered plants, fished, and quarried volcanic glass for trade.

To many tribes, Yellowstone’s geysers and hot springs were sacred. The Crow called it the “land of the burning ground” or “land of vapors”, the Blackfeet “many smoke”, the Flatheads “smoke from the ground”, and the Kiowa “the place of hot water”. These features were central to oral histories, ceremonies, and medicinal practices.

Many tribes passed through Yellowstone seasonally for hunting and gathering, while the Sheepeaters were the only known group to live there year-round in mild winters. They followed bighorn sheep migrations, fished in Yellowstone Lake, and traded with other groups. Today the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+Indeginous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more. See full map at link: Yellowstone Tribal Map — Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Jimmy and I loved everything about Sage Lodge. We wanted to ensure our 25th anniversary was memorable and we are so glad to have spent it in this special place. We will definitely be back! In the meantime, we are enjoying our new home and look forward to spending spring and summer exploring Glacier National Park and the National Forests that surround us.