Black Leg Ranch - McKenzie ND

I was part of a wedding party last weekend. The ranch has beautiful cabins and venue spaces. The hosts were fantastic. Jay made sure the ceremony went off without a hitch; Charlotte was helping us ushers guide everyone throughout the ranch; Blaine and Nevada were pouring up delicious beer brewed on site; McKayla joined in on our dancing. Had a blast - would suggest to anyone considering a wedding in ND.

Had our wedding out here on April 15th 2023 after a near record setting winter of snow. Parking was a bit of a concern with the snow melt but the staff out at the ranch got everyone parked in the yard. The cabins for both nights were great and we received a lot of compliments on the venue. Jay and Kari were both very helpful through the process. I would recommend the Bison Light if buying kegs for the reception, it was perceived very well by all of the light beer drinkers we had out at the wedding.

Very nice venue. As a guest for a wedding the layout for RV's was nice. No hookups for electricity, water, and no dump. But, we could run generators. Which on a weekend with 100 degree weather it was nice the venue had plenty of gathering places with cool air conditioned space. The ranch experienced power outage for the night of the rehesal dinner. No a/c, toilets did not flush, lights were out- so small emergency lighting from flash lights was available, and the food warmers did not work. The wedding volunteers did a great job of working with the resources available, the sun. The wedding was outside the next day. I did not attend due to work. Others, commented it was OK. The dinner and dance was good with proper wait staff. The air conditioner and lights were back on at 6:00 PM when I arrived. The venue is 26 miles from Bismarck with gravel roads from from intestate 94. Don't waste time washing vehicles or RV's before arriving. Overall, it was OK for a wedding. I know nothing about cost or other arrangements for the venue. It was an event to remember for the wedding party and guests. I will be attending the venue again next week for another wedding.

This is a working ranch not a dude ranch. Don't let that put you off. You will stay in clean and comfortable rooms with 3 good meals a day. There is even a brewery on site! You can get involved in whatever is happening if you want to from mending fences to moving cows. You can also explore the wide open spaces on horseback or four wheel buggies. From the pick up at Bismarck airport until I was a dropped off there 5 days later Jay and the family made me very welcome and want to go back.

Went there on a father-daughter hunting trip for pheasant and duck. Didn’t realize it was after a drought, and yet the ranch still made the best out of it! Andy was our guide and was fantastic. Love the homy feel of the lodge and the family style dinners we had, it really tied everything together! My dad is returning with my brother this fall for another great season. Couldn’t have asked for a better hunting trip!