Dude ranch vacations are the ultimate way to enjoy a whole host of recreational activities. And it's not just about the horseback riding! In fact, many of our Top50 dude ranches, guest ranches and working ranches are great places to relax and unwind without even going near a horse.
Of course, if horseback riding is your go-to stress reliever then you'll find trail rides, pack trips, horsemanship clinics, horse treks and cattle drives aplenty...
Best ranches for...
Action-packed cattle drives - Zapata Ranch, Beaumont High Country Experience, Burnt Well Guest Ranch, The Hideout Guest Ranch, Chico Basin Ranch
Pack trips - Estancia Ranquilco, Latigo Ranch
Wilderness horse treks - Brush Creek Ranch, Siwash Lake Ranch, Estancia Ranquilco
Horsemanship clinics - The Hideout Guest Ranch, Three Bars Ranch, Zapata Ranch, Chico Basin Ranch, McGinnis Meadows
Rodeos - Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge, Brush Creek Ranch, Lone Mountain Ranch
Cattle work in the arena - Bar W Guest Ranch, Bonanza Creek Ranch, McGinnis Meadows, Rowse's 1+1 Ranch, Sweet Grass Ranch
Appealing to non-riders, these ranches offer some equally enjoyable ways to spend your time on dude ranch vacation...
Best ranches for...
Water sports - Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge, Siwash Lake Ranch, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Majestic Dude Ranch, The Resort at Paws Up
Fly fishing and angling - North Fork Ranch, Triple Creek Ranch, The Ranch at Rock Creek, C Lazy U Ranch, Siwash Lake Ranch, Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge
Golf - C Lazy U Ranch, Rancho de los Caballeros, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Lone Mountain Ranch, Ranch at Rock Creek, Three Bars Ranch
Spas - Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, The Resort at Paws Up, The Ranch at Rock Creek, Rancho de los Caballeros
Children's activities and supervized children's programs - Red Horse Mountain Ranch, The Resort at Paws Up, Alisal Ranch, Lone Mountain Ranch, Elk Mountain Ranch, Majestic Dude Ranch, C Lazy U Ranch, The Ranch at Rock Creek, Siwash Lake Ranch, Three Bars Ranch, Vista Verde Ranch
Wine tasting vacations - Estancia Los Potreros, Vista Verde Ranch
Cooking classes - Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Triple Creek Ranch
Local/historical attractions - Lone Mountain Ranch, Bonanza Creek Ranch, Latigo Ranch, Rancho Las Cascadas
Yoga - Brush Creek Ranch, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Lone Mountain Ranch, The Resort at Paws Up, Vista Verde Ranch
Adventure sports - Rancho Los Banos, Majestic Dude Ranch, Beaumont High Country Experience
Mountain biking - Majestic Dude Ranch, Lone Mountain Ranch
Wildlife/Safari tours - Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Siwash Lake Ranch, Zapata Ranch, The Hideout Guest Ranch, Badger Creek Ranch, Brush Creek Ranch, Triple Creek Ranch
For more information on all activities at dude ranches, visit Top50Ranches.com