Women-only ranch vacations at dude ranches promise a whole lotta fun – cowgirl style! We’ve come up with all of our ranches’ women-only weeks for 2012-13, so you can find the girls’ vacation to suit you. Whether you’re looking to get pampered on a luxury dude ranch vacation, or “cowgirl up” on a working ranch vacation, we’ve got something for every gal!
Triple Creek Ranch - Klicks For Chicks
Several times this year, the Montana guest ranch is hosting a 100 kilometer (62 mile) horseback ride for women only. Saddle up with the girls and horseback ride into deep canyons, over mountain passes, alongside crystal-clear lakes and through stunning meadows, as you discover the 'last frontier' of the Rocky Mountain west. Each evening you’ll return to the ranch where cocktails, where gourmet food and luxury cabins await. Next morning, mount up and venture out for another day on the Big Sky frontier! An adventurous girls’ vacation for women who love trail riding (and the odd cocktail).
Bar W Guest Ranch - Cowgirl Up
For several weeks this year, the Montana guest ranch is offering 6 night, 5 day girls’ vacations. The all-inclusive packages invite women to “Cowgirl Up” with friends, sisters, daughters, moms or simply on their own, as the girls take over the ranch! The girls’ vacations promise to refuel your spirit and delight your body. Explore nearly one million acres of trails, saddle up for a horsemanship clinic in the arena, and ride to your heart’s delight with one of the Montana guest ranch’s expert wranglers. Novice and experienced women riders alike will can work cattle in the arena, with team sorting and penning lessons. You can even try barrel racing and roping!
Nicely saddle sore, hop off your horse and kick off those cowgirl boots for a honey-and-hot-cream rock foot massage, followed by a couple hours of luxury pampering. By evening, enjoy Vintners presentations and cocktail receptions before tucking into real Montana. After a quick two-step or soak in the hot tub under the stars, retire to a soft bed and prepare to do it all again tomorrow. This girls' vacation is perfect for groups of cowgirls with varying riding abilities.
C Lazy U Ranch - Julie Goodnight Horse & Yoga Clinic for Women
This fall, the luxury Colorado dude ranch, along with renowned horsewoman Julie Goodnight, is hosting the ultimate girls’ vacation – a women-only riding and yoga retreat. With discounted rates on the luxury dude ranch’s quality accommodations, you’ll feel truly spoilt on this all-inclusive package, which includes all programming, horseback riding and yoga. Bring your own horse or use one of C Lazy U’s trusty steeds, as you take part in horsemanship clinic sessions that promise to be as fun as they are productive. Julie will ensure you’re having a good time, working at your own pace, staying safe and learning a lot, while giving more confidence with horses. It’s about you, your horse and progressing together while having a great time with other girls in an incredible setting. A great girls’ vacation for the keen horsewoman!
Echo Valley Ranch and Spa - Girlfriends Getaway Package
If you always wanted to be a cross between Calamity Jane and Holly Golightly when you grew up, this is the girls’ vacation for you! Realise your dreams of riding the range and throwing a lasso, and then treat yourself to a little luxury at the end of the day, at this luxury Canada dude ranch and spa. Sure to set your spurs jingling and your spirits soaring, the all-inclusive girls’ vacation will open your eyes to the magic of ranch life. Start with early-morning Thai yoga classes, before saddling up for all-day trail rides complete with gourmet picnic lunches, all rounded off with an Asian or European spa treatment at the end of the day. The icing on the cake? Relax with your girls and watch the sun go down. A girls’ vacation with the perfect balance between horseback riding and pampering!
Los Banos Ranch - Semana de las Vaqueras, “Cowgirls Week”
From October 14-20 this year, head south for a Mexico horseback riding holiday with the girls! Spend seven days with your fellow Vaqueras as you ride to all corners of the Rancho – from short trail rides to longer backcountry horse treks, this is western horseback riding at its best. Prepare to be challenged, awed, thrilled and entertained as you ride through the most beautiful country you have ever seen on this girls’ vacation. Embrace cowgirl camaraderie as you negotiate ravines, hills, mesas, canyons and the high sierra on horseback, and get the adrenaline pumping as you tackle steep declines and climb vertical sierras. This girls’ vacation offers women a horseback riding experience in its truest, most free form. One for the experienced cowgirls out there!
White Stallion Ranch - Cactus Cowgirls
Looking further ahead to 2013? Check out this Arizona dude ranch, which offers authentic western girls’ vacations with a luxury edge. White Stallion Ranch is offering three weekly packages dedicated solely to cowgirls next year. First up is Cactus Cowgirls Ride Again in January 2013, a week of fun, pampering and basking in the warm Arizona sunshine, which you can make as horsey or horse-less as you please. This all-inclusive pampering girls’ vacation will get you a Margarita welcome party, massage, trail rides, horseback riding lesson each day, guided hikes, yoga, country-and-western dance lessons, and more!
Or head to the Arizona dude ranch in February 2013, for Cactus Cowgirls at Rodeo Time. The girls’ vacation takes place in Tuscon’s rodeo week, so you and your fellow cowgirls will take a trip to the finals performance at the nearby Tucson de la Fiesta Rodeo. Earn your rodeo stripes with riding each day including barrel racing lessons and team penning, then relax in the saddle on a breakfast ride and a wine-and-cheese ride.
Delay your girls’ vacation until April 2013 and you’ll get to see White Stallion Ranch at its best, when the cactus is in full bloom. Ultimate Wild West Cactus Cowgirls is an all-inclusive women-only dude ranch vacation package that guranatees lots of trail rides, horseback riding lessons, team penning in the area and more. Out of the saddle, you and your girls’ can let your hair down with a Tequila tasting party and – once firmly sober! – a target shooting with a gun safety class.
For more information on prices and to book any of these western girls' vacations, visit Top50Ranches.com
By Jody Dahl