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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
