Welcome to Erik’s Ranch & Retreats. A solution that was born out of love. And need. We proudly offer a first-of-its kind living, working and social environment for young adults with autism. Not only are both locations home to young adults with autism, but what sets Erik’s Ranch & Retreats apart is that these young adults operate the boutique-style guest accommodations at our two destination locations: the Retreat in Edina, Minn., and Erik’s Ranch, in Paradise Valley, Mont.
"Our stay at Erik’s Ranch was an unforgettable family getaway! It was the perfect escape, with breathtaking Montana views, a beautiful lodge, and everything we needed for a comfortable stay with our extended family. The lodge was gorgeous, well-appoi..."
"Our stay at Erik’s Ranch was an unforgettable family getaway! It was the perfect escape, with breathtaking Montana views, a beautiful lodge, and everything we needed for a comfortable stay with our extended family. The lodge was gorgeous, well-appointed, and thoughtfully stocked with all the essentials. Cameron, the onsite manager, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. He went above and beyond to make the stay special, especially for the kids—they loved getting to feed the horses and experience ranch life up close. We also enjoyed the Blue Flower Trail Ride during our stay, which was an amazing experience with stunning views along the way. Erik’s Ranch was the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and family memories. We can’t wait to return!"
"What a beautiful location and property! We stayed at the Merideth House, with beautiful views in all directions. Service was perfect from check in and prompt answers on any inquiries. Jacob was very good at checking us in and providing us with..."
"What a beautiful location and property! We stayed at the Merideth House, with beautiful views in all directions. Service was perfect from check in and prompt answers on any inquiries. Jacob was very good at checking us in and providing us with information regarding the property and general area. I would not hesitate to stay here again. Eriks Ranch mission is very admirable all around, with first class properties and first class service."
"We had a wonderful stay at Erik's Ranch! The check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly. It's a little bit of a drive on gravel roads, but the quiet and calm you get is so worth it. The views from Meredith's house were stunning! The whole hous..."
"We had a wonderful stay at Erik's Ranch! The check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly. It's a little bit of a drive on gravel roads, but the quiet and calm you get is so worth it. The views from Meredith's house were stunning! The whole house is modern and still cozy. We enjoyed the tub and the electric oven for warm, cozy evenings. There are some nice restaurants (e.g. Follow Yer Nose BBQ) in the area and it's about an hour to the Gardiner entrance of Yellowstone Nationalpark. Our planned horseback ride unfortunately had to be cancelled due to weather, but the communication was great and the refund was issued immediately. We'd absolutely love to come again to relax and detach from everything and get to do our horseback ride next time :)"
"Leaving a review here for those looking for horse riding options -- over the past few years, we've ridden with probably a half dozen different outfits in the Bozeman/West Yellowstone/Big Sky area. This was one of the most professional experiences we have had to date. Great facilities, huge shaded barn area for you to get used to being on a horse before you head out to the trails, appropriate sizing of horses to riders (we've had experiences in the past with a 4 foot tall kid on a HUGE horse which can be scary), no photo pressure (some places take "official" photos and then sell them to you for 3x the cost of the ride itself), and pretty reasonable prices too. The only negatives are that the trail (we did two hour) was not the most interesting terrain (other places have done bigger hills or river crossings which are kind of fun), but that might actually be a positive for more beginner riders, and that it is a bit in the middle of nowhere (longish drive on a gravel unpaved road to get to). But highly recommend in you're in the Paradise Valley area!"
"We did the Keep Calm and Brush On experience and it was excellent. My two teenagers learned how to care for their horse, put on the saddle and bridle, and then got to write a bit too with great teaching. Highly recommend!"
Erik is a young adult on the autism spectrum with limited communication skills and a gentle spirit peppered with humor. He enjoys skiing, singing, swimming, horseback riding and many other activities with his sisters and family. Sharing these activities creates deep and enjoyable relationships for his family rooted in love, respect and common interests.
Like many on the autism spectrum, Erik cannot live alone. He needs the support, structure and nurturing environment that Erik’s Ranch & Retreats provides. And he deserves the chance for a meaningful life on his own terms that we provide, for him and so many others like him, at his new home.
In 2021, we were thrilled to make our Netflix debut on season two of the popular series The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals. As part of a special episode titled “Giveback Getaways”, our guest ranch in Livingston, MT was highlighted along with several other philanthropic travel destinations around the world.
