Ninemile Ranger Depot Mule Train & Horses

 

Hosted at the historic Ninemile Ranger Station—30 minutes west of Missoula in the Lolo National Forest—the mule train is part of the U.S. Forest Service’s enduring pack train tradition, known today as the Northern Region Pack Train. This legacy dates back to the 1930s when the Ninemile Remount Depot was established to breed, train, and winter horses and mules for backcountry firefighting and trail missions across the Northern Rockies.

Today, over 200 horses and mules from multiple ranger districts—including those in Montana, northern Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming—are housed at Ninemile each winter. They rest, recover, and are readied for the season ahead, providing critical pack support for wildfire response, trail crews, and remote backcountry projects.

The station also hosts the Ninemile Wildlands Training Center, which offers horsemanship, packing clinics, and backcountry ethics courses—preserving the traditional skills first honed at this remount depot.

One‑Hour Presentation
The mule train team will begin the day with a live one-hour presentation, sharing:

  • The history and role of pack stock in forest service operations

  • How mules and horses are cared for and trained at Ninemile

  • Demonstrations of traditional packing techniques and camping logistics

  • Best practices for stock handling and Leave No Trace wilderness ethics

Rest of the Day – Meet & Greet
After their presentation, the team and horses will remain open for public interaction—answering questions, allowing guests to pet or photograph the animals, and sharing stories of life with pack stock in Montana’s backcountry.

Learn more: USDA Forest Service

 
Missoula Fairgrounds