Meet The Ranch Hand: From Glamping Tent to Four-Season Cabin
From a Glamping Tent to a four-season cabin, check out our latest DIY cabin build at The Hohnstead.
If you’ve stayed with us for a while, you might remember The Ranch Hand Glamping Tent. It was one of those ideas that started with inspiration and a little bit of daydreaming—after all, a luxury resort just down the road (Paws Up) made western-style glamping look pretty irresistible.
The Ranch Hand tent was western-themed, charming, and definitely memorable. Some guests absolutely loved it. But behind the scenes? It was a lot.
When Glamping Became Heavy (Literally)
That tent weighed over 200 pounds, and every year it had to be set up before the season and taken down, cleaned, and stored after. Between just the two of us—while also maintaining the rest of the property—it became one of the biggest physical chores of our hosting season.
The Ranch Hand Glamping Tent at The Hohnstead near Missoula, Montana
Eventually, we asked ourselves a simple question: How can we make this easier and more sustainable for the long haul?
The answer surprised us at first—but once it clicked, we couldn’t unsee it.
Same Name, New Vision
We decided to sell the tent and its furnishings and replace it with a four-season cabin, keeping the same name: The Ranch Hand. This meant we could reuse our signs and listings, making the transition smoother and easier to promote.
In the fall of 2025, we got to work.
Over the course of two and a half months, we built The Ranch Hand Cabin by hand—just like the rest of our cabins at The Hohnstead. Much of the non-structural wood was milled by us, right here on the property. We chose bold red metal siding for the exterior (because why not?) and then made an even bolder choice inside.
A Cabin Inspired by Love, Color, and Lemons 🍋
The interior of The Ranch Hand is painted a vibrant yellow, a color choice that means a lot to us. Red and yellow were my late mama’s favorite colors, and bringing them into this space felt like a quiet way of honoring her.
That yellow sparked an idea we haven’t really seen done in other short-term rentals—lemons.
We leaned all the way in.
Lemon pillows and cushions. Lemon tea sets, glasses, and a water jug. Even a faux lemon tree, with lemons hanging cheerfully inside the cabin. It’s whimsical, bright, playful, and just a little silly—in the best way. Even on a gray or snowy day, it feels like summer inside The Ranch Hand.
Built for Comfort (and the Off-Season)
Unlike the old tent, The Ranch Hand Cabin is fully insulated and has electricity. That means something new and exciting for us—and for you.
Garrett and I can use the cabin during the non-hosting season, and starting in 2026, it also allows us to open earlier and stay open later than ever before.
With five windows, mountain and forest views surround you, along with a truly unique vintage door salvaged from The Home Resource Center in Missoula. Much of the furniture is secondhand from Donation Warehouse in Missoula, continuing our commitment to reuse, repurpose, and recycle whenever possible.
Our Fifth Hand-Built Cabin
The Ranch Hand Cabin is our fifth self-built cabin here at The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins. Each one has its own personality, but this one feels especially joyful.
And in April, May, October, and November, it will be the only cabin open.
That means:
Total quiet and privacy.
No waiting for the hot tub.
Extra one-on-one time with your pets (yes, it’s pet-friendly).
Full access to our 100 forested acres to wander, roam, and slow down.
Start Planning Your 2026 Getaway
We’re so excited to welcome guests to The Ranch Hand Cabin starting in April 2026. If you’ve ever wanted a peaceful, colorful, and cozy escape near Missoula, Montana —this is it.
Start planning your 2026 cabin getaway and check available dates for The Ranch Hand Cabin today. We can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.
