How to Vacation With Horses

1. Go to the Beach: There are many beaches that are open to horseback riders. You can make it a day trip or find a local stable that offers temporary board. Some places welcome horses year-round, but most are during the off season. You’ll want to plan accordingly! There’s nothing quite like the salty air and sound of crashing waves.
2. Camping: Trail riders will love this idea! In fact, many people camp with their horses. Avid campers will have a horse trailer with living quarters, but you can also set up a tent. Use a temporary corral or high line to contain your horse. You can spend all day exploring a national park on your horse. Imagine the sights!
3. Dude Ranch: Some ranches are BYOH- bring your own horse! You can enjoy all the amenities offered by the dude ranch, but instead of using their horse you can have your own trusted partner. Dude ranches are all over the United States from Colorado to New York. Some offer cattle driving, while others take vacationers deep into the forest and through streams.

Don’t miss the opportunity to make special memories!

A Dude Ranch Vacation

Get ready for incredible views! You can explore the wilderness on horseback. Imagine tall mountains, beautiful lakes, and free-roaming wildlife.

Learn something new like fly fishing. There is something so tranquil about nature!

If you’re up for the challenge, you can even sign up to move cattle. Some ranches go on camping trips for days at a time.

Kids (and adults) will enjoy yummy s’mores under a sky that’s filled with thousands of glowing stars.

Here’s some good old-fashioned fun! Singing by a campfire with friends is a memory you’ll never forget.

Follow @duderanchvacations for more incredible moments captured on dude ranches! There are destinations all across the United States including Colorado, Arizona, Vermont, and Virginia to name a few.

Greenhorn Ranch

Based in Quincy, California, this dude ranch offers 660 acres to ride with access to 500,000 acres and your pick from 80 horses.

“Our wranglers will teach you how to ride a horse with confidence or help you improve your riding skills. Come and cultivate your cowboy, California-style. Explore Greenhorn Ranch. A ranch with a focus on horseback riding, outdoor adventures, western culture, and reconnecting with friends and family.”

Marble Mountain Ranch

The Marble Mountain Ranch is based out of Somes Bar, California. They offer a “Raft and Ride” Vacation package.

“Our signature all-inclusive ‘saddle and paddle’ or raft and ride vacation joins our superb dining experience and our youth buckaroo program to create the best and most complete family dude ranch vacation. Marble Mountain dude ranch vacations meet the diverse interests and needs of your entire family or group. Our horseback trail riding and equestrian programs are spectacular, but our defining feature is our ability to keep whole families engaged with our variety of outdoor Western adventures. No other ranch can duplicate our all inclusive summit to sea experience with breathtaking mountain trail riding, white water rafting, steelhead fly fishing, or jet boat tours to the Pacific Ocean!”

Blackwater Creek Ranch

Based in Cody, Wyoming.

“If you want a real western experience, look no further than Blackwater Creek Ranch where the trails lead thru the Shoshone National Forest to breathtaking views.  Just 15 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, the Ranch was permitted as a tourist camp in the early 1900s and is one of the oldest ranches on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.  Our week-long all-inclusive vacation is packed with adventures for the young and old.  We keep our numbers small to maintain that family feeling. There are no ‘frills’ here just plain old-time family fun.”

Vista Verde Ranch

“Just north of the renowned ski resort town of Steamboat Springs, CO in the Elk River valley lies Vista Verde Ranch. A luxury ranch by definition, we take pride in the upscale accommodations and facilities, the amazing culinary experience our chefs offer guests, and the variety of activities that guests can choose from during their stay in summer, fall, or winter. However, it is the relationships between the staff and the guests that make the VVR experience so memorable, and the people are the heart and soul of this place. Coming to Vista Verde is like coming home…..but with a staff of engaging folks taking care of your every need!”

Don’t forget to pack these items to spring break cowgirl style!

Fall at the Ranch

Situated near the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, C Lazy U Ranch has the best views of this colorful season. You’ll enjoy crisp air, red-orange aspens, and plenty of autumn activities.

Trail rides are scheduled daily through the season. Riding is a fun way to see the ranch and practice your skills under saddle. In addition to hitting the trails, equestrians can sign up for horsemanship and round pen clinics. There are over 8,500 acres of trails! Enjoy picturesque locations throughout.

For those that enjoy fly fishing, October and November are the best months to catch big brown trout in the Colorado River.

Other activities include hiking, biking, and touring the Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family. When your day’s adventures are over, enjoy the cozy accommodations.

Sign me up! C Lazy U Ranch is the perfect fall destination.

Wyoming

Shoshone Lodge & Guest Ranch – Cody, WY

Shoshone Lodge is a historic lodge treating modern visitors right, only 3 miles from Yellowstone’s East Entrance. It’s a place where you feel vigor seep into you as you breathe in the mountain air, take in stunning views, and relish true Western hospitality and adventure. Enjoy horseback riding, camp cook-outs, trips to Yellowstone, the Cody Nite Rodeo, rafting, and more during your week-long stay.

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch – Shell, WY

The Hideout is in beautiful Shell, Wyoming East of Cody, and Yellowstone National Park at the foot of The Big Horn Mountains. With a backyard of 650,000 acres in an area with tremendous diversity of scenery and altitudes ranging from 4,200 to 13,100 feet, you will seldom see the same trail twice.

Klondike Ranch – Buffalo, WY

More than a Wyoming dude ranch, Klondike invites you to join in the activities of their historical, working cattle ranch. You’ll get to enjoy riding, working cattle, and camping out under brilliant Wyoming skies, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and taking in the vast beauty of the Bighorn Mountains.

Idaho

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch – Sandpoint, ID

At Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, experience the spirit of the west on an All Inclusive Guest Ranch Adventure Vacation. Summer packages include lodging in one of our cozy lodge rooms or log cabins, daily horseback rides, three country gourmet meals daily, evening entertainment, and access to all ranch amenities.

New Mexico

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch – Winston, NM

You’ll find Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch tucked away in southwest New Mexico, in the heart of the 3.3-million-acre Gila National Forest. Here, the mountains are boundless, and the open meadows and deep canyons with crystal clear spring-fed creeks are enough to soothe even the busiest of minds.

Colorado

Rawah Ranch – Glendevey, CO

Experience Colorado’s finest at Rawah Guest Ranch—an authentic, all-American western luxury guest ranch and fly fishing lodge nestled in Northern Colorado’s spectacular Laramie River Valley.

Elk Mountain Ranch – Buena Vista, CO

The Elk Mountain Ranch experience is a one-week adventure encompassing the best dude ranch experience at very reasonable, all-inclusive vacation prices. Days at our ranch are filled with horseback riding, white water rafting, hiking, riflery, fishing, mountain biking and other activities set against a backdrop of unending vistas.

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch – Red Feather Lakes, CO

Sundance Trail is the smallest guest ranch in the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association. Their smaller size allows them to be relaxed, flexible, and to truly connect with all the guests who visit. And the best part? They’re open year-round!

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch – Loveland, CO

At the 3,200-acre “world beyond the ridge,” you can plan for an exclusive company retreat, have a fabulous wedding, experience a Dude Ranch family vacation, enjoy a holiday party or a summer picnic, and much much more.

Arizona

Rancho De Los Caballeros -Wickenburg, AZ

Their sanctuary of 13,300 rideable acres offers private accommodations and endless outdoor spaces to explore, unwind, and create life-long memories. They’re thrilled to welcome folks back and have made arrangements to ensure safety whilst preserving the traditions guests know and love.

Elkhorn Ranch – Tucson, AZ

This conservation minded working ranch raises horses, alongside neighboring cattle ranches, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and Baboquivari Peak Wilderness. Curious Sonoran desert flora and fauna, wide open country, Arizona’s famous sunshine and blue skies, and personalized hospitality provide an ideal setting for outdoor adventure, rejuvenation and camaraderie.

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch – Yucca, AZ

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is located in Northwest Arizona in the Mohave desert, one hour away from the nearest town. In other words, no crowds and lots of open land that is perfect for the nature lover. They welcome travelers from all over the world to come and experience our guest ranch where the Old West blends with the new.

California

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort – Solvang, CA

A legendary hideaway set in the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Ranch features every exceptional comfort. 10,500 acres of pure inspiration, a short 30-minute drive north of Santa Barbara and a world away. Where nature welcomes you to explore, adventure, unwind and renew.

Montana

Upper Canyon Outfitters & Guest Ranch – Alder, MT

Since 1981, they’ve been proud to welcome guests to their ranch and share the lands they call home. Come and join for some authentic western hospitality, unforgettable scenery, and comfortable accommodations when you’re planning your fly fishing, hunting, riding or exploring Montana adventure.

Bar W Guest Ranch – Whitefish, MT

The Bar W Guest Ranch is a dude ranch near Glacier National Park, ready to treat you to true Montana hospitality from the moment you arrive until long after the sun sets. Nestled between two pine-covered ridges in an idyllic setting at the base of Spencer Mountain, the Bar W Guest Ranch is located just a stone’s throw from the town of Whitefish, Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort.

British Columbia, Canada

Sundance Guest Ranch – British Columbia, Canada

This is it – this is your ranch, only four hours from Vancouver, British Columbia! When you’ve just got back from a ride, and you’re sitting on the lounge deck with your favorite drink in your hand, watching the herd gallop out to the field for the night, and laughing with someone you’ve known ten minutes like you’ve known them ten years… lean back, put a foot up on the railing and look around.

Adventure awaits!

Cherokee Park Ranch is an all-inclusive dude ranch vacation tucked in the Rocky Mountains of Livermore, Colorado. It’s family-owned and has been in operation since 1886. 86% of guests are returning vacationers!

They have over 130 Quarter Horses! It doesn’t matter what your experience level is there’s a horse for you.

There are half-day and all-day rides, so those that like to be in the saddle can actually be in it! You can also pick your speed for the day.

For those that like to fish, this dude ranch has you covered! You can also hike, soak in the hot tub, get a massage, or go on a boat ride. There are so many activities to enjoy.

In the evening, get cozy by a blazing fire. S’mores are on the menu!

How charming is this cabin! You’re in for a real wilderness treat.

You can find more information about reservations and rates on their website- Cherokee Park Ranch.

In its present state, it is also arguably the center of the universe for team ropers who come from all over the U.S. to hone their skills and make the quick jaunts to Las Vegas for the many big money roping events held there.

The town keeps its history and Old West feel in tact. Vulture City Ghost Town, with over 12 faithfully restored buildings and countless artifacts, provides a glimpse of the mining culture and lifestyle in the American Southwest.

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum has a reputation as one of the best in the West. March is an exciting month with the opening of Cowgirl Up!, an annual exhibition and sale of more than 200 pieces by 60 of the best female artists in the Western genre.

To get a feel for the town, grab a brochure at the Chamber of Commerce and walk downtown. Ben’s Saddlery has been doing saddle repair in the same building for 60 years. As the sign outside says, “Tie up, come in, swap stories.” Old Livery Mercantile, housed in a former livery stable, offers turquoise jewelry and hard-to-find gifts with cowboy and Arizona themes.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rising Sun, oil on linen, by Michelle Kondos Ann Hanson featured in 2021 at Cowgirl Up: Art From the Other Half of the West, at Desert Caballeros Western Museum. westernmuseum.org. Henry Wickenburg’s Vulture Mine remained in continuous production until the 1940s. Current mine owners have restored 12 of the historic buildings, which are open to the public for self-guided tours. vultureminetours.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Kay El Bar is an authentic, intimate western dude ranch where riding is done on endless trails through federal lands adjoining the ranch and guests can watch cattle work or try their hand at team penning.

Six life-sized statues stand at various downtown locations, and with the push of a button visitors can hear stories about historical figures like Elizabeth Smith. She arrived in Wickenburg in 1897 and operated the Vernetta Hotel, now on the National Register. Smith became one of the area’s first female black entrepreneurs.

Wickenburg is also home to Ranch de los Caballeros, a rustic hotel with a guest ranch feel with its own string of trail horses and miles of amazing Arizona trails for riding. The Rancho also hosts the annual Cowgirl Cadillacs Horse Sale touted as “Well-broke horses from ladies, for ladies.”

Just an hour’s drive from Phoenix, Wickenburg has its fair share of dude ranches. Fine-tuned cowgirl experiences can be had at Flying E Ranch, and at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, who took its first paying guest in 1918.

Arizona Cowgirl

Prescott

Western trailblazer Joseph Walker’s party found gold near here in 1863, setting off a flood of settlers and the founding of Arizona’s first Territorial capital in 1864.

Prescott is a town of Western culture. Its Sharlot Hall Museum opened in 1928, boasts six historic buildings including the original Territorial Governor’s Mansion, a log cabin expertly furnished to look as it did when it was built in 1864.

Along with it’s rich history, Montezuma Street and the infamous saloons along Whiskey Row still draw in the wild side, whose history dates back to the 1860s when a local newspaper notice from 1869 once read: “Our once quiet village is getting to be a regular pandemonium. Drunken men quarrel, fight, and shoot.”

At the Palace Restaurant and Saloon, take time to gander at historic photos along the wall and take in the painting of Steve McQueen from the 1972 film “Junior Bonner” whose wild fight scene was filmed there.

The movie pays homage to Prescott Frontier Days. The town’s beloved rodeo, billed as the “World’s Oldest,” began in 1888 and is still producing one of the West’s finest events every July.

CLOCKWISE STARTING TOP LEFT: The Rough Rider monument in Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza; The bar at The Palace Saloon on Whiskey Row; The World’s Oldest Rodeo; The restored Art Deco lobby of the Hassayampa Inn.

Prescott is a great town for walking. Historical plaques along Whiskey Row are fun to read and the collection of preserved Victorian homes on nearby Mount Vernon Street are a sight to see.

In the center of town at the Courthouse Plaza, the Rough Rider monument honors Buckey O’Neill, a Prescott son killed in Teddy Roosevelt’s 1898 charge up San Juan Hill.

Art lovers should not miss the Phippen Museum with its many paintings, bronzes, artifacts, and photos depicting cowboys at work, and the Smoki Museum whose Hopi pueblo houses an impressive collection of Indian art and artifacts.

Prescott Quick Connects

Prescott Visitor’s Bureau, visit-prescott.com

Bunks for the night: Hassayampa Inn, hassayampainn.com

Two steppin’ and sippin’ on Whiskey Row: Palace Saloon, whiskeyrowpalace.com. Jersey Lilly Saloon, jerseylillysaloon.com

Rodeo – Prescott Frontier Days: The World’s Oldest Rodeo, worldsoldestrodeo.com

Oklahoma City

A Cowboy and Indian Town

As a destination, Oklahoma City is a town of many options.  Boasting several of the nation’s most important museums of the cultural West, it is a cowboy and Indian town with a rich history.

Oklahoma City and its surrounding cities are also host to several of the equine industry’s most important performance and show horse events and competitions.

So when planning a getaway to “The Big Friendly,” as it is affectionately known, add an equine event, a visit to at least two of its important museums, grab a little dinner and nightlife downtown or in Bricktown, and if you love fried chicken, take a scenic drive out to Eischen’s Bar, to see “the oldest bar” in the state, and savor some of the best fried chicken this side of the Mississippi.

Oklahoma is home to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, a must-stop destination for folks who appreciate the Western way of life.

Founded in 1955, it is one of the preeminent museums in the United States dedicated to the cultural history and heritage of the American West. 

Through its collection of art and exhibits, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum explains all aspects of Oklahoma City’s history and the frontier West in general. Walk through an 8,000-square-foot gallery of cowboy artifacts like saddles and bits and spurs from Spanish Colonial times to today.

Annually, more than 10 million visitors tour its Western art galleries, Old West and American Indian history galleries, and its three halls of fame: the Hall of Great Westerners, Hall of Great Western Performers, and Rodeo Hall of Fame.

A most recent addition to its impressive collections of American culture is the First Americans Museum, which opened in 2021.

In one place, visitors experience the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today. This masterpiece of American museums shares the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans.

Among the exhibits is WINIKO: Life of an Object. This impressive collection features selections on loan from the Smithsonian representing the 39 tribes to Oklahoma for the first time in 100 years. 

There’s also a restaurant that offers indigenous cuisine and a shop with one-of-a-kind works by Indian artists. 

First Americans Museum is positioned along the Oklahoma River across from downtown and serves as a starting point to explore First American attractions throughout Oklahoma.

CLOCKWISE STARTING TOP LEFT: First Americans Museum; Stockyards City; The End of the Trail by James Earle Fraser in the main lobby of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; Herb Mignery’s dramatic bronze, Code of the West also at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; Bricktown at night.

Food and Nightlife

Just a short walk from downtown hotels, event venues, and attractions, industrial-chic Bricktown is a lively entertainment district with repurposed warehouse spaces home to restaurants, piano lounges, and its newest honky tonk, Cowboy Ranch, where you can two-step the night away.

An eclectic mix of shops sell clothing, home decor, and specialty food items. The Bricktown Water Taxi takes riders along the Bricktown Canal for tours and dinner cruises.

Equine Everything

There are several major events held in OKC that visitors can hone in on as a base for a great getaway. OKC is host to several major equine events including NRHA Derby, NRHA Futurity, AQHA Youth World Show, AQHA World Show, and Better Barrel Races World Finals.

It’s worth noting that the Oklahoma National Stockyards is the largest stocker and feeder cattle market in the country and is worth a visit to do a little shopping along Agnew Avenue at several of its popular Western wear stores as well as a COWGIRL favorite’s Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. While you are there, grab a steak at the legendary Cattlemen’s Steakhouse or try on some boots and a cocktail at McClintock Saloon.

Visit OKC, VisitOKC.com

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, NationalCowboyMuseum.org

First Americans Museum, famok.org

Downtown OKC, downtownokc.com

Bricktown OKC, bricktownokc.com

Cowboy Ranch (Honky Tonk), cowboyranchokc.com

Stockyards City, stockyardscity.org

Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, shortyshattery.com

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, cattlemensrestaurant.com

McClintock Saloon, mcclintocksaloon.com

Eichen’s Bar, eischensbar.com (45-minute drive from OKC)

Dude Ranch Dream Vacations

Finding a cool place to soothe your inner cowgirl

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch
Wyoming

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch takes advantage of its breathtaking mountain setting.

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch has been in the same family since the 1920s when the main lodge was built from native timbers by Cody’s first county sheriff, Henry Dahlem.  Set in the Shoshone National Forest, this rustic circa-1920s lodge is next to the Sleeping Giant Ski Resort and 3 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

With its almost century-long history, the Shoshone Lodge authentically boasts a beautiful display of craftsmanship.

Individually decorated log cabins offer wood furnishings, minifridges, microwaves, and porches. Some have kitchenettes or full kitchens, mountain views, whirlpool tubs, sofas, fireplaces, and/or TVs.

Amenities include a wood paneled restaurant and a cozy lounge, both with fireplaces. There’s also a picnic area with BBQ grills, a playground, and a courtyard with a creek. Horseback rides and hunting trips are can also part of the experience.

The lodge has been run by members of the family for the past 4 generations and is now owned and operated by Henry’s great-grandson, Mike Christiansen. When you stay at the ranch, you will be personally entertained by Mike and his family and will be able to hear firsthand about the incredible history of Shoshone Lodge.

shoshonelodge.com

Circle Bar Guest Ranch
Montana

Girls day out on Circle Bar Guest Ranch.

Montana is a magical place in the summer. The rivers are cool, the air is crisp, and the sun feels good on your face. At 5000’ in elevation, the 520-acre Circle Bar Ranch sits at the base of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, allowing guests to explore the mountains by horseback, fish for trout in cascading streams, hike to see the bountiful wildlife, or follow a mule train for overnight stays in a mountain cabin. 

The Lodge is where guests mingle over cocktails and then enjoy the evening’s dinner selection. The Lodge also features suites and well-appointed guest rooms. The Cookhouse is their Honeymoon Cabin and is designed for romance with a sunken fireplace and king bed. Then there are the cabins—no two are alike. From the Meadowlark to the Cayuse, the styles and decor vary, as do the number of bedrooms.

Horseback riding is what the ranch is known for with horses suitable to every level of experience. Riding guests traverse the wide-open prairies, ride along (and through) the Judith River and explore the mountains of the National Forest. For more experienced riders, trotting and loping can be incorporated into rides where the terrain allows. For those who would like to get more comfortable in the saddle, lessons are available for an additional charge.

There are plenty of activities from archery to swimming to shooting. For the more adventurous, take a UTV tour to the National Forest and hike to the nearby caves. Or visit nearby Sapphire Village for a taste of the local culture. The nearby mine is the only place where the precious Yogo Sapphires can be found.

circlebarranch.com

Rancho de la Osa
Arizona

Ride through the ocotillos at Rancho de la Osa, inviting guest room.

Rancho de la Osa is not just a guest ranch, but an historic relic preserved through centuries of continued occupation. And its history is deep. In 1916 Pancho Villa was said to have raided and attempted to take Rancho de la Osa. A cannon ball from that attack was found embedded in the adobe wall of the Hacienda and is on display today.

Arizona’s most historic guest ranch, Rancho de la Osa boasts the state’s oldest continually used building where today’s guest can enjoy a cold margarita after a day of exploration or relaxation. The structure, which is now the ranch Cantina, was built at the Tohono O’Odham village in 1722 by Jesuit missionaries who had traveled with Father Kino.

Located less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Tucson in the high desert grasslands of the Sonoran Desert on the Mexican border, Rancho de la Osa offers an unparalleled guest ranch experience with exceptional food and drink and an abundance of activities for every level of adventurer.

With its 19 luxurious and ornate Mexican influenced adobe guest rooms, each with it own fireplace, Rancho de la Osa pampers its guests in the tradition of old Mexico while offering cultural exploration and a myriad of activities from horseback riding to off-road adventure treks.

Guests can explore Native American ruins or the neighboring 120,000 acres of Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge by off-road vehicle. 

President Lyndon B. Johnson and wife Lady Bird, as well as Hollywood movie stars Tom Mix, Joan Crawford, and John Wayne, were regulars at the ranch and their lore lives on the trails these luminaries once rode.

Ranch wranglers will match you with a horse appropriate to your experience level and lead you on scenic rides through sandy washes, over rocky terrain, and across lush desert grasslands. 

After a day spent adventuring, enjoy a cool drink in the Cantina, the oldest continually occupied building in the state of Arizona. Then retreat to the Hacienda or your historic guest room to relax in rich Southwestern color and culture.

ranchodelaosa.com

Rancho de los Caballeros
Wickenburg, Arizona

Lush desert ride, rustic main room at Rancho de los Caballeros.

Who says a cowgirl can’t have it all? If you’re longing to experience the rugged authenticity of a working dude ranch while enjoying the beauty and wide open spaces of the Old West amidst the amenities of a luxury resort, look no further than historic Rancho de los Caballeros, a sumptuous oasis for the senses just sixty minutes north of Phoenix. 

A well-renowned guest ranch since 1948, Rancho de los Caballeros boasts 20,000 acres of rolling hills, Saguaro cactus and the breathtaking vistas of the flowering Sonoran desert extend as far as the eye can see.  This pristine hideaway and ultra–comfortable haven evokes the feeling of a welcoming hacienda, but with the multiple personalities of a country club and destination resort ready to charm and match all sensibilities. 

The variety of rooms, suites, and casitas, many with their own private patio overlooking the stunning desert or mountain views, offer something to suit everyone’s taste, and all reflect the unique southwestern style. The Great Room of the Rancho, with its rustically luxuriant furnishings and massive copper fireplace hood will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, to an unrushed era of unstudied elegance and ease.

The culinary team delights in preparing an impressive array of epicurean feasts designed to satisfy every palette. Part of the great charm of Rancho de los Caballeros is the diversity of experiences and activities it is able to offer its guests while retaining the untarnished authenticity and flavor of its dude ranch origins and historic standing.  What has not changed in the fifty-plus years of the Rancho’s heritage is the profound peace and quiet to be had in this desert enclave.

ranchodeloscaballeros.com

Three Bars Guest Ranch
British Columbia

Main lodge at Three Bars Guest Ranch.

Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, between Banff and Glacier National Park. This special part of the world offers an abundance of nature, clean, rushing water, green fields, and breathtaking mountain views.

Three Bars Ranch prides itself with Western hospitality and offers a world class horse program with something for everyone.  From green horns to old hands, riding guests can explore the majestic vistas of the Canadian Rockies and enjoy outdoor activities such as river rafting, shooting sports, fly fishing, hiking, ATVing, mountain biking, archery, and a full evening program.

Spacious log cabins emphasize comfort and relaxation, and the newly renovated cabins feature cozy, hand-built log furniture with old Western charm and a front porch to kick back on after a long day on the trail.

The main lodge is the hub of the ranch and houses the dining room, lounge, and a full bar where happy hour is the time for guests to reflect on the day’s adventures and share stories with friends and fellow guests

threebarsranch.com

Your dream dude ranch vacation beckons: Will you heed its call?

Dude Ranchers’ Association:

(307) 587-2339, duderanch.org

Dude Ranch Foundation:

(307) 587-2339

duderanchfoundation.org

Tucked in the Colorado Rockies, this ranch has over 180 horses. Each has special cleated shoes for extra traction. Vacationers will be assigned a horse and go on up to two trail rides a day. They range from an hour to hour and half. During your ride, you’ll enjoy scenic views and wildlife. Look out for a bright red fox and bald eagle soaring the skies!

If you prefer an indoor ride, the ranch offers horsemanship clinics in their 12,000-square-foot indoor riding arena. There’s plenty of cones and poles to play with.

After a day of riding, you can get cozy in their luxury resort! From the gourmet food to the roaring fireplace, there’s so much to enjoy. Settle down for the night in their family-style cabins or secluded couples’ retreats.

Your entire family can have a blast with complimentary snow tubing, cross-country skiing and shoeing, archery and more!

Who’s ready for a fun adventure! For other exciting horseback trips, check out “Best Vacation Destinations For Horse Lovers”.