The best Dude Ranches in the United States offer options for everyone. Families, couples, seniors, and meals are included in the price.
Horseback riding and plenty of outdoor activities are available, and the accommodations offer spectacular and unparalleled views.
Whether you’re looking to go to a dude ranch for the solitude or to reconnect with nature and those around you, staying at a dude ranch offers many advantages that conventional vacations don’t.
Acres of forested land, spectacular scenery, outdoor adventures,western-themed activities, barbeques, and smores by the fire.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, read on for the best dude ranches across the USA.
C Lazy U Guest Ranch – Granby Colorado
C Lazy U is a premier, all-inclusive guest ranch in the heart of the Rockies. The ranch offers guests high-class amenities and down-home experiences.
A staple for families in the Colorado region, the ranch is on 8500 acres of unspoiled land that boasts wildflowers, black bears, moose, and elk.
Offering year-round vacations, deciding whether to take to the slopes during winter or the creek will be your only decision.
If traveling with kids, the comprehensive kids and teens program will keep them busy and invested in making memories and getting off their devices. In the creek in the fall will be your only question.
The cabins’ model features stone fireplaces and exposed beams. In addition, they have refrigerators, heated bathroom floors, and high-end coffee machines.
Guest looking to ride can choose to either engage in the rides, depending on inclement weather, or use the indoor heated riding arena.
Other popular activities include yoga, trap shooting, cross-country, skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, fly fishing, hatchet throwing, and zip lining.
After a full day of activities, you can indulge in freshly prepared meals onsite by the chefs. Kick off your muddy boots, and prepare for an elegant dinner paired with a wine from their award-winning selection led by an onsite sommelier.
Website: https://www.clazyu.com/
Address: 3640 CO-125, Granby, CO 80446, United States
Phone: 970-887-3344
Flat Head Lake Lodge – Big Fork Montana
Located in Big Fork, Montana, Flat Head Lake Lodge is an all-inclusive, 2000-acre guest ranch that has welcomed guests for generations. The ranch is between beautiful Montana backcountry.
You can explore by horseback or by walks with anyone at your party. Cabins and lodges sit among the tall pine trees and feature log furnishings and country quilts.
Maid service is available daily, and guest laundry service is open twice a week. The ranch has an extensive riding program entirely focused on you.
Thus, you can ride as much or as little as you’d like at varying times and lengths. Rides pass through the ranch’s private elk preserve.
In addition, there are lessons, specialty rides, a kids’ rodeo on Saturday, and team penning perfect for horse enthusiasts and water sports, mountain biking, fishing, tennis, and so much more.
The staff at the ranch make sure that whether you’re a family or a single guest, you are comfortable and well rested by the end of your trip.
Why Stay At Flathead?
- The ranch has been rated as one of the best vacation spots in America and is named a top guest ranch.
- In addition, they offer adult-only weeks in spring.
- Trail rides are open to kids aged six and above. Riders aged 12 and below are required to wear helmets.
- Depending on the barn manager’s discretion, riders over 250 may or may not ride. Rates range from $4417 per adult in the lodge rooms to $4256 for kids aged 6-17.
Website: https://www.flatheadlakelodge.com/
Address: 150 Flathead Lodge Rd, Bigfork, MT 59911, United States
Phone: 406-837-4391
Email: info@flatheadlakelodge.com
320 Guest Ranch
At 320 Guest ranch, you can expect to be woken by the sounds of the Gallatin river and the sights of the blue sky peeping through your windows.
A once historical homestead, the guest ranch was renovated to modern times while still keeping its original feel.
The ranch offers a variety of accommodations suitable for large families and couples, ranging from log cabins with western decor to mountain chalets with great rooms with some of the most spectacular views.
Amenities include wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and porches. In keeping the Montana pioneering spirit alive, horseback rides are available and led by expert wranglers through the numerous acres available.
Whether an experienced equestrian or novice, you can feel assured that your inner cowboy will shine through.
Rides can be as short as one hour or as long as a full day, with lunch served by the lake with breakfast at the rate. The onsite McGills restaurant and saloon are available for dinner and any other meals.
Website: https://320ranch.com/
Address: 205 Buffalo Horn Creek Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, United States
Phone: 406-995-4283
Email: info@320ranch.com
Tanque Verde Ranch – Tucson Arizona
If you’re looking for an old-time ranch on 60,000 acres of wild Arizonian desert, look no further than Tanque Verde.
Nestled between the Rincon Mountains and adjacent to Saguaro National Park, the ranch is considered one of the last luxurious outposts of the wild west.
Onsite, there are 69 accommodations, all with different decor with southwestern accents. Private patios are peaceful retreats to listen to the morning and evening songbirds.
Horseback riding is the crowning jewel of the ranch and includes riding along the saguaros and viewing different types of desert wildlife. You can choose from various horses for the walk or lope ride breakfast, sunset, or lope check ride.
Intermediate horsemanship, basic lessons, team penning, horsemanship fundamentals, and team penning are a few of the horsemanship activities.
In addition, they have a robust daily kids program and kids’ day camp perfect for tweens and teens. Yoga, tennis, pickleball, spa trips, and fishing are available for those looking to take it slow on vacation.
Stays at this all-inclusive ranch can include as many or as few activities as you’d like. Reserving them in advance is recommended to avoid missing slots.
Website: https://tanqueverderanch.com/
Address: 14301 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85748, United States
Phone: 1-800-234-3833, 1-520-296-6275
Email: tvgr@cotefamily.com
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
Nestled in the beautiful Ozark mountains is this family-run ranch that puts hospitality, friendly service, warm faces, and incredible home cooking at its core.
While the sounds of the horses getting saddled up for the day ride will accompany your breakfast, you are welcome to participate in several other activities (rock climbing, zip-lining, swimming, and canoeing) that scratch that itch.
The cabins are log-style, rustic yet with a modern flair, and have a small refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave. All cabins come with full baths with linens and towels.
For evening relaxation, you can head to the main lodge for a game of ping pong or foosball or catch a game on the big screen in the theatre room.
The hot tub and pool are right outside. Meals are hearty and gourmet, ranging from biscuits and coffee in the morning to steaks and Mahi Mahi chicken during dinner.
Kids aged 3-5 can enjoy pony rides led by some of the staff. Adults and kids over six can take to the trails, delighting in the sights, smells, and sounds of the beautiful Ozarks mountains.
Website: https://horseshoecanyonduderanch.com/
Address: HC 70, 261, Jasper, AR 72641, United States
Phone: (800) 480-9635
White Stallion Ranch
You can expect to leave the demands of everyday life, relax thoroughly, and take a step back to regroup when you head down to White Stallion Ranch.
While the welcoming atmosphere and personalized service will welcome you as soon as you ride into the gates, the riding program will make you a permanent member of the White Stallion ranch.
White Stallion Ranch owns one of the largest private herds of horses in Arizona and can accommodate everyone from the experienced horse owner to the first-time rider.
Choose from fast rides, slow rides, half-day rides, full-day rides, mountain rides, wine and cheese rides, beer and Cheetos rides, hay rides, cattle sorting, and team penning.
Guest rooms are spacious and situated throughout the ranch. Whether a large family stays in the hacienda or a small group, you can find a cozy, comfortable space to call your own for the week.
In addition, there is nightly entertainment, including bonfires by the moonlight and a cowboy chorus.
Website: https://www.whitestallion.com/
Address: 9251 W Twin Peaks Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743, United States
Phone: 1-520-297-0252
Email: info@whitestallion.com
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Voted 2022 Travellers Choice All-Inclusive Family Resort, Rocking Horse is the premier resort hours from New York, perfect for families.
Families are welcome to participate in winter activities or take part in trail riding on the 500 acres of trails on the advanced, walk, intermediate, or pony rides for the junior wranglers.
Other horsemanship activities that don’t rely upon your steering include tractor-drawn carriages, daily horse parades, and horseshoeing demonstrations. All this is sure to work up an appetite.
The all-inclusive dining experience features everything from a breakfast buffet in the morning to a sizzling fajitas station for lunch. Dinner features a rotating ala carte menu that includes delicious entrees.
After all this, guests can retire to their AAA diamond rooms that feature cable flat-screen TVs, furniture by Flat Rock, Simmons mattresses, refrigerators, and dryers.
All accommodations are within walking distance to the Big Splash indoor water park, Silverado saloon, the Lucky horseshoe arcade, fitness center, spa, and dining room.
Nightly entertainment includes magic shows, animal shows, and juggling, while guests can choose indoor or outdoor activities during the morning hours.
Outdoor Activities
- Bungee trampoline,
- Mountain tubing
- Water sports
- Super bungee jumping, rock climbing,
- Ice skating in the new ice skating rink,
Indoor Activities
- Water sports in the indoor big splash pools
- Laser tag
- Archery
Website: https://www.rockinghorseranch.com/
Address: 600 US-44, Highland, NY 12528, United States
Phone: 800-647-2624 |845-691-2927
Conclusion
Dude Ranches are the perfect getaway. Not only do you get to live and experience life just as the wild west cowboys did.
You also get a chance to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature which continues to be a luxury in our world. We hope this list has helped you search for the best dude ranches in the USA.
