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Starting a Dude Ranch Operation Membership
If you are thinking of starting a dude ranch, you should be aware it has become popular in the last few years. Just this past year we received over 140 inquiries about purchasing a ranch or starting a dude ranch operation on an existing ranch.
The DRA has only two full-time and one part-time persons on the office staff and they operate from limited facilities. They are kept busy answering inquiries about ranch vacations and tending to the administrative functions of the office so we do not have the resources to develop business plans for folks exploring the possibility of starting a ranch. However, we will share with you some general information that we do have and give you some other resources to contact as well.
The existing dude ranches on the market now seem to be running from about $1.5 million on up. In addition, it seems to take most folks from 5 to 7 years from the time they purchase or start a dude ranch operation for it to begin to break even. The deeded acreage of ranches varies from as low as 50 acres to many thousands of acres. What is most important is access to large amounts of land for a riding program. Most ranches adjoin large tracts of public land on which they have obtained special use permits (no small task in itself). This provides them with hundreds of thousands of acres for riding. Starting a ranch from raw land seems to cost even more than purchasing an existing ranch. For more assistance or information on purchasing a ranch visit the Ranch Real Estate section of our Products and Services section. As you will soon find out, finding a reliable insurance agent that understands the dude ranch industry is another small task in your future. Look for insurance companies that are familiar with dude ranch operations in the Ranch Insurance section of our Products and Services section. For more information on how to start and operate a dude ranch, visit the Dude Ranch Seminar section of our Products and Services section you will also find information on a three day seminar that covers A to Z.
Finally, keep in mind that successful dude ranching requires much hard work, a demanding time commitment, and a true enjoyment of serving people. It is a way of life that involves many personal rewards but is not a way to get rich quick. If you have specific questions, please contact the DRA office at 307-587-2339.
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