Dude Ranch Vacation..What’s THAT?
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What’s a Dude Ranch Vacation? For that matter, what the heck is a “dude?” Back in yesteryear, cultured socialites, arrogant and rich, were called “dudes” when they came out West to see what life was like for the “other half.” Guest ranches in the Old West earned the nickname “dude ranch” to refer to the type of patrons they attracted. It’s been carried on ever since!
Here’s an article about all different types of Horse Riding Holidays.
3 Types of Dude Ranch Vacations
To help you decide which kind of Dude Ranch Vacation is for you, take this quick quiz!
What do you think of when you hear the term "cowboy"
How adventurous are you?
How often do you pull out your Wranglers & Justins?
How often do you ride horses?
What's your idea of a perfect evening?
Which activities sound awesome to you?
What kind of food sounds most appealing?
Which best describes your favorite type of vacation?
The Working Ranch Vacation
A working ranch vacation is just that – you pay to become a wrangler at a ranch for a few days or week. This is a very hands on experience, where you will get to do things like herd cattle, ride and mend fences, and doctor and brand calves.
Some of the working ranches have you move the cattle from one grazing area to another. This could mean you might be in the saddle 6-12 hours a day. You should be physically fit before you go on this working ranch vacation. Here’s an article on how to get fit for your horse riding vacation.
The working ranch vacation is an awesome opportunity to see how real ranches work, and how cowboys worked in the Old West. Make sure you know exactly what the ranch will be expecting of you, and what is covered in the fee before you make your first payment. Some, if not all, are completely non-refundable. If you are unable to make it the date you planned on, they carry it over to the next year. So be prepared for that!
If you’ve ever dreamed of being an authentic American cowboy, this vacation is for you! So pack your Wranglers, Justins and cowboy hat and hit the trail!
Book Your Working Ranch Vacation >
The Dude Ranch Vacation
If you love the idea of the old West, but don’t necessarily want to work during your horse riding vacation, a Dude Ranch Vacation, also know as a Guest Ranch Vacation, will probably be your best bet for an awesome vacation.
A Dude Ranch Vacation will get you on a horse pretty much daily – which is what we want, right? But along with daily horseback rides, there’s many other activities to keep you very busy, depending on where you go. Some of the activities include:
- Whitewater rafting
- Fly fishing
- Hiking
- Gold Panning
- Rodeo
- Mountain Biking
- Spa
- Yoga
- Fireside tales
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Bird Watching
- ATV riding
- Yellowstone Tour
- Plus many more fun activities!
As you can see, the list is long so you definitely won’t get bored when you are off your horse! One of my favorite Dude Ranch Vacation destinations is Rimrock Ranch, about 25 miles from the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and 25 miles from Cody, Wyoming. It’s an awesome guest ranch with lots to do!
Some places even provide you with boots, cowboy hats and chaps!
The meals on your Dude Ranch Vacation are generally family style meat & potatoes, although each ranch is individual and will list out what they specialize in. And for those with alternative dietary needs, most ranches have other options, but should be notified when you book your horse riding vacation.
The Luxury Ranch
Ahhh the lap of luxury! On your Luxury Ranch Vacation, you will get pampered at a beautiful ranch that most often includes a spa, hot tub, 5 star dining experiences and a host of other luxury amenities. But you’ll still get to ride horses, if that’s on your list of things to do!
Most of these luxury ranches are all inclusive, meaning all food and drink are included in the price. Usually all activities are included as well, although some may have excursions that are “ala carte”, meaning you can add these activities on to your trip at an extra price.
A Luxury Ranch Vacation means just that – luxury, WITH a luxury price tag. These vacations are definitely upscale and priced accordingly. Some are family vacation places, but others cater to the singles and couples who don’t want to be around the families. It’s all good! There’s something for everyone!
If you like 5-star, chef-created meals, this is the horse riding vacation for you! A lot of these ranches also have their own sommelier! So pack up your best boots, fancy western outfits and expect to be pampered on these luxury ranch vacations!
Book Your Luxury Ranch Vacation >
Whatever type of Dude Ranch Vacation you choose, each one will provide a trip of a lifetime. And most likely, wherever you go, you will need to fly there. Of course, we all like to save money, so I like to use the Dollar Flight Club to find the best prices. There is a free version, and a paid version. Check it out!
So go! Get out there, and book your Dude Ranch Vacation today!
