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MONTANA HUNTING TRIPS

Sun Canyon Lodge and Outfitting in north-central Montana is nestled in the Rocky Mountain Front with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex at our back door. You are able to access our Lodge by road or fly into Great Falls and we will come and pick you up.

We have three back-country camps that are accessed by horseback. Our main elk camps are located six to eight hours into the Wilderness.

Once there, you will be staying in very comfortable tent camps. The sleeping tents are 14 foot by 16 foot, equipped with cots and wood stoves. Family style meals will be prepared in a well furnished mess tent that is separate from all sleeping tents.

Our mule deer camp is located seven miles into the Lewis and Clark National Forest. This camp is also set up similar to the Wilderness elk hunting camps. All three camps are set up early enabling them to be established and ready to go when you get here.

Our hunting season begins with archery in the first week of September and runs through the third week of October. Depending on your hunting preference, we will use spot and stock, calling, and tree stands.

Then rifle season starts the end of October and runs through the end of November. It is a five week season.

Then, Deer and elk season run concurrently, so you are able to harvest both species in the same week.

All of our hunts are deer and elk hunts with your choice of a whitetail or mule deer. These hunts are first-class; including the food, the cook, two hunters per guide, a camp-tender and appropriate stock. Hunters must only bring their personal gear and weapon of choice.

Our main elk camps are located in the river drainage situated next to the Sun River Game Preserve. At an elevation of 5,000-6,000 feet, it makes for some of the easiest and finest elk hunting available. The mule deer camp offers great high-country mule deer hunting in both their summer and winter range with the chance of migratory elk.

If you are not feeling up to a back-country excursion, then opt for a Lodge Hunt for elk with the choice of hunting whitetail or mule deer. This is a great trip for a father/son or husband/wife team. After a long day of hunting, enjoy cabin accommodations and take your meals in our Lodge. Hunt on horseback and in four wheel drives.

  • We will personalize your hunt based on your preferences (style and capability).
  • In the last 30 years, we have averaged 40% success on elk harvest and 80% on deer.
  • We are well established and have been hunting the same area since 1983.
  • Our area allows either sex elk, both sex whitetail deer and buck mule deer.

Archery Hunting

Archery hunting starts in early September and runs late into October.
This is the season of rut for bull elk. There are very few thrills equal to the sound and sight of an enraged bull elk as he answers the challenge of an experienced bugler. Bringing him in close for a good clean shot is very important.

While hunting your”Pope and Young Trophy” bull, you will be hunting in an area that also allows the hunting of deer and bear.

The weather in September is usually beautiful with clear bright days and crisp cool nights. Later in October there is a possibility of snow at anytime.

We take bow hunters into our camp for eight day hunts. These hunts fill fast so we encourage you to book early.


General Rifle Season

Regular rifle season usually opens the last Sunday in October and runs through November.
Our main camps for regular season are Cabin Creek and Lynx Creek – both are located in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, up the North Fork of the Sun River in area 442. This season allows the hunting of cow as well as bull elk, along with deer and black bear in the area. Our base camps are very comfortable with ranch-style type meals prepared by the best of cooks. The sleeping tents are furnished with cots and wood stoves. A 1st class hunt from these camps will provide one guide for every two hunters, horses and meals. All you bring is your personal gear and rifle. Camps are limited to six hunters a week, maximizing your hunting experience.


Lodge Hunts

Hunt from the lodge for mule deer, white tail deer and elk!
Package price includes: lodging (cabins) beginning with a cabin the night prior to your hunt; meals, beginning with breakfast on the first day of your hunt and concluding with a steak dinner on the last night of your hunt; one guide per group (4 maximum); horses as needed; packing game to the lodge or meat processor in Augusta (meat processing fees and gratuities not included); pick up and delivery to the Great Falls airport. All hunts during the general season are five days, Monday through Friday.


Drop Camps

We do offer drop camps. You may bring your gear and we will pack it in, or use our equipment. Please call for specific details and date availability.
We reserve a cabin for you the night before your hunt; however, that is not covered in your drop camp fee. Please pay for the cabin when you arrive. If you would like a lunch packed for the trip in, please make arrangements the night before. Breakfast is available off of the menu the morning your hunt goes in. Meals and lodging are not included in your drop camp fee and MUST be paid for separately.

If you would like to reserve a cabin for the evening you come out of camp, please call the Lodge as soon as possible (406-562-3654 or toll free 1-888-749-3654).

Specialty Hunts

Sun Canyon Lodge also offers a variety of big game specialty hunts.
The Sun River area is known for the large number of native big horn sheep. With permits available in three different areas surrounding the Lodge, the large numbers of sheep make this hunt a sportsman’s dream.

Just below the Rocky Mountain Front we have a large population of antelope that can be harvested with a special permit. This area allows for opportunity without a large number of hunters present.

If you are in great shape and looking for a real thrill, then you will love the excitement of hunting mountain lions with hounds throughout the winter months. These hunts are scheduled individually and the price is given on request. License applications will be mailed on request or can be obtained from the Montana Fish and Game.

customerS’ reviews

This is the most wonderful place to be. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in sun canyon and it has become our favorite place. I will continue to come here for as long as I can. This is a great place to make memories. Thanks Josh And Nikki. You are great people. Love you Charlie and Kadie

Cheri (Facebook Review)

I went to my friends wedding and from the time we got there to check in the staff was so awesome and the Sun Canyon lodge camping area is absolutely beautiful! Sleeping in your tent next to the creek was wonderful to listen to! Fun fun fun

Jennifer (Google Review)

We stayed here for several nights. The camp ground is terrific. Showers are amazing! The restaurant serves terrific meals and the prices are reasonable. They go out of their way to make you feel at home. They don’t treat you guests, they treat you like family. Thank you to Nikki, Josh and cowboy Nick for making our stay memorable and fun.

This is a beautiful spot. The fishing opportunities are excellent and you can’t beat the Bob Marshall wilderness for hiking and horseback riding. I’ve travelled all over the west and highly recommend this place.

Mike (Yelp Review)

Outstanding! From my initial phone call inquiring about scheduling a ride for nine, of varying ages and experience, to the end of the beautiful, amazing ride our day was spectacular. Gracious, kind, knowledgeable and a beautiful setting. A++++

Trip Advisor Reviewer

A true piece of heaven hidden in the Rockies. Whether you are a camping local or a cabin-renting out-of-state tourist, this is a place of peace, beauty, super clean facilities and some of the best burgers you will ever taste. The views are breathtaking and the staff is wonderful. A Montana “must do!” Would recommend without question or hesitation.

Carrie (Facebook Review)

Truly an amazing experience. Niki and Josh run a great business. Their staff is outstanding. I will definitely be back in the future.

Jeff (Google Review)

Sun Canyon Lodge is tucked in to a breathtakingly beautiful gulch with a cliff on one side and mountain views on the others. Josh and Niki are wonderful hosts, with Niki handling things at the Lodge and Josh guiding the wilderness piece of the adventure. The cabins surrounding the main lodge are charmingly rustic and immaculate. The main lodge, with the restaurant and bar, is warm and cozy. The stables and corrals are a short stroll away so you can visit the animals and if you’re lucky, see a new foal! Be sure to ask Josh and Niki’s young son Charlie for a tour.

Nadine (Trip Advisor Review)

The staff was amazing. The scenery was spectacular. The accommodations were cozy. I really appreciated the whole operation–this was in the middle of covid and though the mask mandate did not apply to Teton County, they struck a balance between careful and adaptable. I recommend highly!

Betsy (Yelp Review)