Dude Ranch Family Vacations

The idea of dude ranch family vacations, where urban folks learn to rope and ride with weathered cowboys and professional cattle drivers started in the early 1900's west of Sheridan, Wyoming on the edge of the Bighorn Mountains. There are now numerous guest/dude ranches scattered from Wyoming Bighorn Mountains, to South Dakotas Black hills and on to, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Texas, and Florida.

Rather you want to show your kids what ranch life is like or spend time in the great outdoors, dude ranch family vacations appeal to all ages. Most Dude Ranch vacations offer such a wide variety of fun activities and are located in a beautiful country or national forest settings there is something for everyone.

Since the amount of work versus leisure time varies from ranch to ranch activities and amenities offered also vary. You really need to identify what your family wants out of a dude ranch family vacation and then ask each ranch what is available.

While horseback riding is usually a big part of a dude ranch family vacation you can also choose any of the following activities: boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, cattle drives, cookouts, covered wagon rides, or relaxing close to nature.

Some dude ranch family vacations offer luxury lodging and other dude ranches operate as working ranches; providing lodging in comfortable rustic cabins and offering the opportunity to participate in roundups, cattle drives, and other ranching activities. Most dude ranch family vacations will allow you to participate to a certain extent in ranch life.

Any vacation begins with a dream or idea of what your ideal vacation will be like and a dude ranch family vacation is no exception. The closer you can come to fulfilling the dreams or ideas of your family the better your dude ranch family vacation will be. Start by understanding what is included in your dream vacation.

Here are some questions to get you started:

What are the ages and abilities of your family members? You need to check with ranches as to what they have for children, especially if you are bringing young children, most activities are for 6 years and up and it would be helpful if your child has ridden a horse before. Also you may wish to choose a ranch with a kids program and swimming. Does your family do well in groups? Smaller ranches you will do meals as a group.
Is your dream dude ranch family vacation in the summer, winter, spring or fall? Does your family do best in the snow or sun? Not all ranches are open all year round. Higher elevation ranches will be closed in the winter, some are open all year, but change the activities available to match the season.
Do you have a specific location or terrain in mind? Does the background of your dream vacation have hills and cactus, national forest and rivers or wide open sagebrush? Terrain may also be a consideration if you have smaller children.
In your dude ranch family vacation what kind of accommodations do you see? A rustic cabin, a mountain lodge, an adobe or teepee? Accommodations vary from ranch to ranch, from a room in a ranch house or lodge to an elegant cabin with rock fireplace. Most ranches do offer comfortable beds, private baths and maid service but these are all things you need to ask when you call, especially if you have something specific in mind. Accommodations can really make or break your dude ranch family vacation.
Do you prefer structure to your dude ranch family vacation? Larger dude ranches are usually able to offer organized activities and entertainment programs, while smaller dude ranches offer more personalized riding activities, but fewer non-riding programs.
What type of riding experience are you looking for? All dude ranches focus on horseback riding as the main activity but the programs can be very different. Some dude ranches are working cattle ranches that also accept guests. Many of these allow guests to assist with the ranch chores. Others offer actual cattle drives during specific periods. Some dude ranches offer only walking trail rides while others allow trotting and running through breathtaking country. Most ranches do offer instruction for beginners to expert.
What other activities besides horseback riding are you looking for? Fishing, Whitewater rafting, children?s programs, swimming pool, hot tub, cook outs?
How long has this ranch been accepting guests, Families, Children? How many guests will be there while we are there? Will there be other children there? Is the ranch a member of the Dude rancher's association? Experience is king in a dude ranch vacation. The most experienced dude ranches will have true western hospitality. Ranch size and type will often determine what activities are available.
Length of stay required how soon to start booking? Most dude ranches have minimum stay requirements from 3 nights to 7 nights and some you need to make reservations a good 6 months ahead.

How do I Choose a Dude Ranch Family Vacation?

There are many companies on the internet offering dude ranch family vacations. In fact so many we have no specific recommendations; rather we suggest you do your research.

The key thing is do you like the person/comapny you're talking with and does their ranch offer what you're looking for? If not, try another company. Be sure and ask about how they are with children.

After you go on a dude ranch family vacation consider sharing your experience with our readers. You can use this form to submit your vacation experience.

Remember, no cooking, cleaning or chores on a ranch family vacation (unless you decide to help the cowboys round up the strays or feed the horses) just fun and relaxation in a beautiful, breathtaking outdoor setting.

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