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The Best Dude Ranches to Experience a Little Bit of Cowboy Life
Saddle up to the Western vacation of your dreams.
Have you ever wanted to experience the life of a cowboy? We can't all be like the Drummond family, living on a working ranch in the middle of Oklahoma. But if the thought jumping on a horse and exploring the land sounds like a dream come true, take a quick vacation! Of course, you can absolutely visit Ree and Ladd's ranch in Pawhuska by taking a tour of the Lodge or even visit the filming location of Yellowstone. But if you want to immerse yourself in the life of a rancher even just for a few days, a dude ranch is the ultimate destination.
According to the Dude Ranchers' Association (yes, that's a real thing!), dude ranches "are the original Western vacation" with the concept dating all the way back to the 19th century. The best dude ranches in the United States offer a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and working with cattle. But with nearly 100 participating ranches across the country, it might be hard to choose the right for you. That's why we've narrowed it down to the best dude ranches by state to get you started.
As you start your search, you want to consider a few things. First, what time of year are you going? Different states are busy with tourists at different times of the year. Second, what sort of activities do you want to do—a large luxury resort or a small, get-your-hands-dirty kind of deal? It may vary if it's a family vacation or an adults-only excursion. The good news is there's an option for everyone. So get those cowboy boots and hats ready, because you're about to saddle up for a once-in-a-lifetime ride!
Plan even more getaways:
- Alex Drummond's Guide to Vail, Colorado
- Charming American Towns You Should Visit
- The Most Scenic Drives Around the Country
White Stallion Ranch
Three hundred days of sunshine a year: No wonder White Stallion Ranch is open all year-round in Tuscon, Arizona. With accommodations for up to 115 guests, the ranch has access to over 3,000 acres of pristine land surrounding it. Learn cattle work and archery or go mountain biking or hiking. There's a petting zoo, rock climbing, and tennis courts, too. Kids under five stay free, so bring the whole family to enjoy the sights and sounds of the desert.
Alisal Ranch
If you're looking for a large ranch available all year long, head right outside Santa Barbara to Alisal Ranch in Solvang, California. Go with a full ranch experience with horsemanship and penning or enjoy luxury experiences like golf, a day at the spa, or sampling some of the local wines. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities as well! They host up to 225 guests, so you'll never run out of things to do.
C Lazy U Ranch
Sure, you can relax all you want in the luxury accommodations at C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado. But with so many activities available year round, you might not want to be so lazy. Enjoy guided horseback rides or hikes, hatchet throwing, archery, trap shooting, fly fishing, and more. Then come back and enjoy the full-service spa and gourmet dining available to you and up to 90 other guests.
Red Horse Mountain Ranch
Want a full service, all-inclusive vacation? Book a week at Red Horse Mountain Ranch in Harrison, Idaho, between May and October. They host up to 60 guests with options for everyone from solo adults to women-only weekends to families with small kids. There's horseback riding for all, of course, but also fishing, archery, kayaking, and more. Come back to the lodge to enjoy chef-prepared meals that are made fresh daily.
Lone Mountain Ranch
While Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana, is open between November and March and June through October, summertime is peak family fun with activities for all ages. A quick 40-minute trip from Bozeman, the 109-person ranch will be found in the mountains near Yellowstone National Park. Go for a scenic horseback ride, hike, or mountain bike or try sea kayaking or canoeing for a water adventure. There are also kid-specific adventures for ages 2 to 17.
Silvies Valley Ranch
Open year-round, the Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch in Seneca, Oregon, is a luxury experience on a working cattle ranch nestled in the Blue Mountains. Along with award-winning golf courses (with goats as caddies!) and a relaxing spa, you can go more rustic with horseback riding, fishing, cattle wrangling, and pistol shooting. The Western-chic style boarding can accommodate 40 guests at one time, where you can try whiskey tastings and the spa.
Texas Ranch Life
About an hour outside of Houston, you'll find the 1800-acre working Lonesome Pine Ranch complete with a herd of the famous Texas Longhorns. The guest portion, Texas Ranch Life in Bellville, Texas, accommodates 20 and is open in December and January. Along with open-range horseback riding, you can take roping lesson, throw tomahawks, try archery and pistol shooting, or take some quiet time to fish. You can also mountain bike and do ATV tours, so you'll find plenty to do during your winter vacation.
Bull Hill Guest Ranch
If you want to try your hand at working cattle, visit Bull Hill Guest Ranch in Kettle Falls, Washington, which is part of a large 50,000-acre property in the mountains of Northeastern Washington. You'll also find trapshooting, wagon rides, mountain biking, hayrides, fly fishing, bird watching and more. There's also yoga and Western dancing, so you'll stay plenty busy visiting May through October. Guest capacity is 35, and all food and beverages are included in the price of the accommodations.
Darwin Ranch
If you're looking to go off the grid, Darwin Ranch in Jackson, Wyoming, is the place for you! You'll find modernized 100-year-old cabins for just 16 guests nestled among the over two million acres of Bridger-Teton Forest. Open June through October, the ranch offers horseback riding, hiking, and fishing during the day. Then relax with epic farm-to-table dining experiences and a wood-fired hot tub. Then return in the winter for ski season!
Eatons' Ranch
Yes, there are two Wyoming ranches on this list. That's because we had to include the oldest dude ranch in the U.S.: Eastons' Ranch in the community of Wolf, which traces its roots back to 1879! Open June through September with a guest capacity of 125, the ranch features 7,000 acres of rolling hills near the Bighorn Mountains, where you ride one of their 200 horses or try your hand at trout or bass fishing. It's great for individuals as well as families.
AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.
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