Valley of the Moon Homestead

Historic Lodging on the Creek

Get away from it all and come relax in the quiet, peaceful, beautiful countryside setting of Valley of the Moon Homestead. Private, yet cozy cabin style living space, with the comforts of home. Breathtaking views and pine covered mountain vistas. For the nature enthusiast options include, but are not limited to, wildlife photo ops, hiking, hunting, & fishing..

Anglers on Rock Creek

Historic Cabin

During it’s heyday this property, formerly known as The Valley of the Moon Ranch, originally belonged to William McDowell, the Lt. Governor of Montana from 1913 – 1921. Some noted visitors to the property were Theodore Roosevelt, cowboy author Louie L’Amour, and artist Charlie Russell. It is the only historical Rock Creek property available for rent, and one of the few buildings from that historic era that remains standing. The Valley of the Moon property was later purchased by Bob and Maridell Bandy, and the Bandy’s daughter, Bonnie Gilbert, now owns this unique home and offers both the Governor’s quarters and the guest quarters for rent.

Horses once again roam the 43 acres of lush green fields that remain of the original 1800 acre ranch…the balance of the property was sold to the USFS in the early 1970’s leaving the remaining 43 acres fully surrounded by public access property. Rock Creek flows through the Southeast corner of the property. The “Governor’s Hole”, a favorite fishing spot around the 3 mile marker of Rock Creek is named after this home, which can be seen across the creek. Many artifacts remain on the property from its days as a working ranch, including old tractors, plows, sheepherders wagon, buggy house and other outbuildings.

The octagon well house, which covers the original hand dug 20 ft deep brick lined well is still there…and though the water quality is excellent from the hand pump that still works, the hand dug well is no longer used. A deeper, modern well provides water for the property. In addition to the old well house, the ice house – an old log structure which has been re-purposed as a wood shed – sits to the south of the home and is a wonderful reminder of days gone by. The interior walls of the ice house were lined with boards that provided a layer of sawdust as insulation to keep the huge chunks of ice collected from the creek in the winter frozen in the summer – and ta-da, refrigeration!

The Bandy/Gilbert family…owners of this unique property… are anxious to share it with you, and excited to offer it as a “work in progress” and hope you will join in their excitement as they plug away in their efforts to restore their “Valley of the Moon Homestead” to what it once was.

More about the Homestead

The 1912 version of today’s ‘duplex’, this property consists of two private units with separate entrances.

The 1,000 sq ft “Governor’s Quarters” has 3 bedrooms (each with a queen bed), 1 bath, galley type kitchen with electric range, microwave oven & 15 cf refrigerator. The living room has a beautiful river-stone fireplace with modern insert.

Maximum occupancy 6.
$225.00 per night plus $65 cleaning fee & 8% Montana tax
Make Reservations

The 650 sq ft “Guest Quarters” with private entrance is attached to the main portion of the home with a shared porch. 1 bath, electric range, microwave oven, 12 cf refrigerator, 1 private bedroom w/1 queen and 1 full bed. This unit can accommodate 1 couple or 2 singles.

Maximum occupancy 2.
$175.00 per night plus $40 cleaning fee & 8% Montana tax
Make Reservations

Wireless internet, satellite TV, Verizon cell phone booster, shared laundry room, and a gas grill on the shared porch. Just a short walk to Rock Creek with private creek access outside the door.

All linens, towels, and cooking utensils provided

Non Smoking

Pets welcome with $100 damage deposit and $20 pet fee

GUEST QUARTERS PHOTOS