We know that you'll want to be absolutely sure about all the details. We hope to answer most of your questions here but if not please don’t hesitate to contact us.
People who are interested in hiking, exploring, maybe doing yoga, and sharing a special experience with fellow travelers in one of the wildest parts of the United States. The Rising Wolf guests are usually very sociable and enjoy dining with their group after a long day’s trek or adventure, and spend the evening reminiscing about the day’s achievements over a glass of wine or a cup of tea by the fire. Our guests are environmentally conscious and like the fact that by staying at The Rising Wolf they are exploring the wilderness without leaving a footprint. Our guests are not seeking 5-star luxury and pampering, but desire high quality trekking, meals, and accommodations just outside of one of the world’s most spectacular national parks.
Check out the details of our Accommodations here. The main difference is that the rooms in the house have indoor bathrooms, running water, gas heat, and electricity. Cabins and glamping tents have floors, front patios, real beds and linens, propane lamps, and heating stoves, but no running water or electricity. The cabins and tents have shared bathrooms and showers, which are located less than 300 feet away.
Yes. We offer both Family Retreats and encourage individual groups to bring families. Our Family Retreats are specially planned for families, but due to the activities involved, we do not encourage bringing children under the age of 6. Children aged 6-12 receive a 50% discount on nightly rates or retreat rates.
At the Rising Wolf, we believe that good quality food is fundamental to your Montana retreat experience! We've put a lot of thought and love into developing a menu of fresh, hearty meals, using locally-sourced ingredients. Groups eat together in the pavilion, and meals are a very sociable affair. Meals on your daily trekking or adventure excursions are simple but plentiful. Vegetarian and special diets are welcomed, but require advanced notice for preparation.
We offer complimentary beer and wine during the Welcome Dinner and Closing Dinner at any of our signature retreats or hosted retreats for groups (if desired). You are welcome to bring additional bottles of wine, which must be stored inside the house in the group food storage area. The Rising Wolf is about unplugging, connecting with nature and communal living. Please feel free to indulge, but not over indulge, in libations during your stay.
You can read Rising Wolf reviews on Google, Facebook and Instagram.
In accordance with the National Park policies, we pull permits for back-country hikes or host overnight hikes for your group. We can also give you recommendations and tips for planning an overnight, back-country hike. We are happy to provide transportation into the Park or to the shuttles for day hikes and lake adventures. For guided overnight, back-country trips with our experienced and knowledgeable guides, we will take you into surrounding wilderness areas, such as the beautiful Bob Marshall Wilderness, south of Polebridge.
Individuals, couples, friends or families are welcome to stay at the Rising Wolf any time, as availability allows. We book private stays via AirBnB, which is linked here. You may also join one of our signature retreats or join another Group Retreat. To view our Signature Retreats schedule, click here. To View availability to host your own Group Retreat, click here.
Your fitness level really just depends on the retreat you would like to attend. To give you an indication of the difficulty of our retreats in the park we have classified them on a scale of 1-5 (easy-strenuous)
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting and unforgettable experience. Our yoga trainings and retreats are led by certified instructors (RYT). Our resident RYT instructor has over 12 years of yoga experience and has operated and taught at a leading inner-city studio for 8 years. Our biking and hiking excursions feature experienced guides who can be counted on for organization, planning, and extensive knowledge of outdoor survival skills and the local geography, terrain and best practices. Your safety and enjoyment are their primary concerns.
No prior yoga experience is required to join our retreats that include yoga. We offer instruction for every level of yogi, from beginner to advanced. All classes offered at the retreat are optional, and we encourage you to listen to your body and do as much, or as little, as you feel is safe and beneficial. We always encourage folks to be open minded and try something new on their adventure, finding new inner-strength and inspirations along the way.
Our retreats can host groups of up to 14, but are typically intended for groups of around 10 to 12 guests.
Weather in Polebridge and Glacier National Park can change rapidly. You may have clear, sunny skies one minute, and snow (in the middle of July!) the next. However, weather is generally moderately warm and pleasant during our retreat months of June through September. Our accommodations are built for the climate and its conditions, so no weather conditions during our operating months should interfere with your stay. However, weather conditions could delay or deter excursions, such as hikes, mountain biking treks, whitewater rafting, or fly-fishing float trips. These excursions will be re-scheduled as able. Our partner guide services each offer refund policies specific to the outfitter and activity.
We suggest you come prepared for four seasons of weather in a day but don’t despair if conditions turn grey, wet or cold — just as quickly as the weather goes one way, it can go the other way, and become bright and sunny again!
Yes, the Rising Wolf Retreat, and the Polebridge area, are completely off the grid in that there is neither electrical service nor cellular service in the area. However, we have solar-powered electricity at the retreat center, as well as running water, satellite phone, and wifi for emergencies.
Our electricity comes from 6 solar panels located on the property. The energy is gathered together in a battery bank to power all of The Rising Wolf’s refrigerators, lighting, electrical appliances, stereos, etc. There are 3 back-up generators on the property, as well as propane gas.
Given that The Rising Wolf’s energy is mostly renewable and sustainable, electricity at the retreat is limited, and hairdryers, electric shavers, and other such appliances are not permitted. Cameras and photos can be charged inside the Main House. We also recommend that guests bring a fully-charged portable power station.
Very limited. During your stay at the Rising Wolf, we challenge you to get away from technology. Experience how the sunrise feels when you aren’t looking at your phone or laptop. Evenings are magnificent when you are able to quiet your mind and fully focus on the sunset, your loved ones, or maybe just yourself.
We understand that each guest has different needs and responsibilities, so you may use the satellite Wi-Fi in the house during limited hours in the morning, and before or after dinner.
There is no cell service in Polebridge, but you will likely have service in limited areas of the Park, such as Lake McDonald and the turn-off at Apgar, West Glacier. There is a satellite phone at the retreat center, which is limited to use for urgent needs only.
Check out the National Park Service’s website and guide to Glacier here, or the Glacier Park Collection site here.
We also suggest checking out Trip Advisor or your favorite travel guide or journal for more first-hand information from other travelers.
While the Rising Wolf provides access to electricity, there is no electricity when you are on the trail, so we recommend bring a fully-charged portable power station to juice up while off the grid.
Our leaders are trained in first aid to cope with minor incidents. In the unlikely case that something more serious takes place, we will seek local medical assistance. Medical insurance is recommended for all guests.
ARRIVAL
We pick up our guests at 5:30 pm on arrival day (or the day prior for Yoga Teacher Training) at the Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell. If you arrive earlier, feel free to take an Uber into the nearby, charming and quaint, downtown Kalispell to walk and shop or get a bite to eat. The alternative pickup spot is our favorite local coffee shop, Montana Coffee Traders in Kalispell. Just be there at 5:00 pm for pickup.
Most flights arrive by 5 pm to the Kalispell Airport but if you arrive later than 5:30 pm, you will need to arrange for special shuttle services, and you may incur additional cost.
You may also drive your own car or rental car to the retreat from home or from another airport. Private shuttle services are available from the Missoula National Airport.
DEPARTURE
Departures typically leave the Kalispell Airport mid-morning. We do not accommodate shuttles to the airport earlier than 8 am, although we may be able to arrange a shuttle for you from the Polebridge Mercantile. Typically, our departure shuttle leaves at 9:30 am for groups traveling from across the country. If your group is more local to the region, we are happy to take you into town later in the morning or around noon.
NOTE: The Kalispell Airport is very small, and typically, check-ins and arrivals take less than 10 minutes from the front door to your gate or vice versa.
Check-in begins at 4:00 pm on the first day of your scheduled retreat, and check-out is between 8:00 am and 11:30 am on the last day.
Each Rising Wolf retreat and/or private stay includes a continental breakfast, a packed lunch, and a three-course dinner each day. A couple of beers or glasses of wine per person is allocated at the Welcome Dinner and Closing Dinner. All ground transportation is included, as indicated on the Retreats page, with airport pick up and drop off. All day hike excursions, mountain biking equipment, bear spray, and first aid hiking kits are included.
The only things not included are flights, insurance, voluntary tipping, select additional adventures/excursions, and any extra food or drinks you bring.
All monies received from customers are non-refundable. If cancellation occurs more than 15 days before scheduled check-in, a non refundable credit, less a $65 processing fee will be held for one year from the date of issue and may be used at Rising Wolf Retreat upon availability. No credit is available if the client cancels 15 days or less in advance of or on the arrival day, or if the client does not show up, or leaves early for any reason. To protect the money you invest in your retreat, we recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance.
We take Visa, MasterCard and Discover, but unfortunately do not accept American Express.
Yes and no. Staying at The Rising Wolf as a single, you have the choice of sharing a standard dome with someone of the same gender or paying a single surcharge to sleep alone. Suite Domes are not shared and single surcharges apply. On treks you will be required to share dorms when staying in mountain huts, as there is no other option. During the 9-day circuit you will share the tent with someone of the same gender, or you can opt for a single tent and pay a single surcharge. Where combinations are not possible we will not charge a supplement, and we never expect two people of opposite genders to share. Our retreats attract like-minded people so you will meet people and make friends from all over the world, so we encourage our solo travelers to embrace the sharing!
Favorite yoga mat (although we have rental mats on the property)
Sweaters, rain jacket, lots of socks and other warm clothes (it gets chilly at night, in the morning, and at high elevations on hikes)
Flashlight or head lamp is mandatory, and book lights are recommended: the rooms, cabins, and tents are relatively low-lit
Bathing suit, sunglasses & quick-drying towel
Musical instruments
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent (we also sell them on property)
Eco-friendly soap, shampoo, conditioner
Sneakers or hiking boots
Post-hiking footwear such as Tevas, Chacos, or Slippers
A day pack or overnight backpack
A notebook if you feel inspired
Books to read
Money: cash and credit cards (Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express) for the Gift shops, the Mercantile, and the Northern Lights Saloon Restaurant
Alarm Clock (to get up for your morning yoga practice)
Camera
Snacks & Drinks – power bars, trail mix, wine, and electrolyte-water are welcome and must be stored in the Main House. There are also plenty of opportunities to buy or restock on snacks and drinks at the charming and tasty Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery
An open-mind, good intentions, and a will to get moving!
Yoga props (we have plenty of blankets, blocks, straps)
Tablets or personal computers for work purposes. This is a place to disconnect and take a break from technology.
Stress and bad vibes (don’t worry, they will melt down the moment you land in beautiful Montana)
Hairdryers, electric shavers, etc. (our electrical circuits are not designed to withhold high intensity electric devices)