The Resort at Paws Up

Paws Up offers secluded Big Timber cabins and even a historic farmhouse. The best option: the 270-square-foot tents. These come with a full range of features and services, from custom-made beds to private butlers who can whip up tentside meals. After a full day of horseback riding or fly-fishing, visitors can unwind in a hot tub, indulge in a spa treatment, and savor a simple but tasty dinner, such as Rocky Mountain trout sautéed with fresh herbs. Then they get to snuggle between 300-thread-count linen sheets.

2009 SMART LUXURY WINNER
Haute Camping Grounds

Dave and Nadine Lipson weren't the first to think of bringing luxury lodging to the rustic Big Sky Country, but they've done it the best. When in 1997 the Lipsons purchased their Blackfoot Valley expanse (they own 10,000 acres and lease another 27,000), they initially considered horse and cattle ranching, but some cosmic force intervened and since 2005 they've shared their pristine slice of Western wilderness with guests. The Resort at Paws Up provides a ranch experience where the world-class fly-fishing might not even be the trip's highlight. Mere mentions of the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Missouri rivers send shivers down the spines of fly-fishing devotees. There's Blackfoot River rafting and kayaking (from whitewater to serene floats), horseback riding on local trails with an on-staff wrangler, and a range of spa treatments. Chef Wes Coffel, a veteran of several top kitchens in the West, knows what to garnish with those fresh-picked huckleberries (pulled pork) and how to present that Rocky Mountain trout caught a short walk from the table. The 12 canvas tents and 28 of timber, designed by Nadine, are accented by traces of their surroundings: pinecones, cowhide, timber, or antlers. In both Tent City and the newer River Camp, personal butlers cater to every desire, from dark chocolate on s'mores to help in crafting a plan for the next day's adventures. See more Smart Luxury Award winners