A Brief History of the Galloway , Upper Bull River Area, and The Bull River Guest Ranch
Long before roads, ranches, or borders, the Upper Bull River and Galloway region was part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa (Kootenay) peoples, who moved through these valleys seasonally to hunt, fish, and gather. The river corridors served as natural travel routes through the Rocky Mountain Trench, shaping patterns of movement that predate modern settlement.
By the early 1800s, fur traders began traveling through the broader Kootenay region, followed by homesteaders and ranchers later in the century. Drawn by natural hay meadows, reliable water sources, and protected valley landscapes, early settlers established working ranches that supported nearby communities such as Fort Steele, Cranbrook, and Kimberley. While nearby areas experienced the rise and fall of gold rush activity, ranching remained a steady and enduring way of life.
The Bull River Guest Ranch property itself dates back to 1897, when George Pickering pre-empted the land, recognizing the value of its natural hay fields. Ownership passed through several hands over the decades, including Bert and June Gauer, who stewarded the ranch for nearly 30 years. In 1977, the Eitzenberger family transformed the property into a guest ranch, opening the land to visitors while preserving its character. The ranch was later acquired by the Koch family in 1999.
Today, Bull River Guest Ranch operates year-round, offering nine self-contained log cabins, guest suites, a bunkhouse, and a central log lodge designed for gatherings, retreats, and celebrations. Bordering thousands of acres of surrounding crown land, the ranch continues to reflect its working roots, with seasonal hay production and a landscape that remains closely tied to its original use.
Throughout the property, that history is still present—not as something preserved behind glass, but as a living part of the land.
From the historic barn areas to the open meadows and trails, Bull River offers guests a place to experience both the legacy and the ongoing rhythm of ranch life.
By the early 1800s, fur traders began traveling through the broader Kootenay region, followed by homesteaders and ranchers later in the century. Drawn by natural hay meadows, reliable water sources, and protected valley landscapes, early settlers established working ranches that supported nearby communities such as Fort Steele, Cranbrook, and Kimberley. While nearby areas experienced the rise and fall of gold rush activity, ranching remained a steady and enduring way of life.
The Bull River Guest Ranch property itself dates back to 1897, when George Pickering pre-empted the land, recognizing the value of its natural hay fields. Ownership passed through several hands over the decades, including Bert and June Gauer, who stewarded the ranch for nearly 30 years. In 1977, the Eitzenberger family transformed the property into a guest ranch, opening the land to visitors while preserving its character. The ranch was later acquired by the Koch family in 1999.
Today, Bull River Guest Ranch operates year-round, offering nine self-contained log cabins, guest suites, a bunkhouse, and a central log lodge designed for gatherings, retreats, and celebrations. Bordering thousands of acres of surrounding crown land, the ranch continues to reflect its working roots, with seasonal hay production and a landscape that remains closely tied to its original use.
Throughout the property, that history is still present—not as something preserved behind glass, but as a living part of the land.
From the historic barn areas to the open meadows and trails, Bull River offers guests a place to experience both the legacy and the ongoing rhythm of ranch life.