ABOUT

The Bull River Guest Ranch offers relaxed hospitality, situated on 200 acres with a backdrop of Canada's beautiful rocky mountains.

The Bull River Guest Ranch runs year-round, it is the perfect getaway for travelers looking for a change from the ordinary. Next to the Ranch property, are several thousand acres of government crown land providing endless scenery and enjoyment to visitors. The Bull River Guest Ranch hosts 9 self-contained log guest cabins, four suites, a communal living area with 9 bedrooms, and a majestic log guest lodge suitable for corporate executive retreats, weddings, family reunions or other group functions. Other amenities include hot tubs, saunas, outdoor cooking facilities.

 

The earliest recorded history about the ranch dates back to 1897 when George Pickering pre-empted Lot 6671 (the ranch property) which had a large natural hay meadow. George Pickering must have been a colorful fellow as one history book tells of George serving a jail sentence for threatening to shoot Bill Douglas whom later acquired the title to the ranch. Bill Douglas sold the ranch in 1948 to Bert and June Gauer. The Gauer’s spent 29 years on the ranch then in 1977 sold it the Eitzenberger family from Germany. The Eitzenberger’s turned the ranch into a guest ranch. The Koch family purchased the ranch in 1999. The picture shown, courtesy of the Fort Steele Heritage Park Archives shows the first home on the George Pickering farm, now the Bull River Guest Ranch c. 1909. 

Your Host

Anna Koch

When you meet Anna, you immediately recognize her warmth, kindness, attentiveness, and genuine passion for making your stay at Bull River Guest Ranch a memorable experience — and if you’re getting married here, it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. 

 

The land that Bull River Guest Ranch is built on was originally purchased by her grandfather Hans Koch. Eventually the responsibility was passed to her parents Greg & Gina in 2004; and keeping with family tradition, Anna assumed the leadership role as Ranch Manager in 2020. 

 

Anna is your one point of communication. That means reservations, accounting, events, weddings, staff, partnerships and future planning. Luckily she has an incredible team to ensure the Ranch grounds are spotlessly manicured, facilities are sanitized, and cabins are fully equipped. It is our mission to ensure each of our guests are rewarded with a consistent, premium experience.

If you’re getting married here

Bull River Guest Ranch is a piece of paradise. Anna will provide the initial wedding tour, go over wedding information, take the booking, help you secure the vendors, and work with you to capture and express your vision from planning through to the event. Anna lives to see faces light up on wedding days. She also lives on the Ranch, which means that she is available to support when you need it. Growing up in her mother’s footsteps, she prides herself on detering conflicts or mishaps before they happen. If you need proof, check out the multitude of 5 star reviews online! 

 

Anna is creative and versatile. She works with each couple to customize all aspects of their event, ensuring every hope is fulfilled. Your dream wedding or event starts here at our secluded one-of-a-kind rustic paradise located up the beautiful Bull River, BC.

Hey Anna! I have been meaning to write you an email and then I saw your post on Instagram and I thought, I'm going to write to her today!! I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for everything! Thank you for our card and our bottle of bubbly, thank you for being so accommodating throughout the whole wedding planning experience! Thank you for making my day so special and for taking care of everything so I never had to worry about a thing! Thank you for understanding my design vision and executing it so perfectly! Thank you for taking such great care of us!! We loved every minute of our weekend and I just want to write a million great reviews for you and recommend you to everyone hahaha If you want to use any of our photos just let me know and I can send the whole gallery to you! If you ever need anything at all just let me know! We are also sending out thank you cards once we get our photos and YOU ARE GETTING ONE 🙂 Hope you are getting some rest after this crazy wedding season!

Sarah Rounsville

Bride