Activities
When you think of a dude ranch vacation, do you imagine spending your days in the saddle? Maybe you picture a trail ride or two but wonder if there is enough to keep you busy for an entire vacation. The good news is that modern dude ranches offer much more than horseback riding. From working cattle and exploring mountain trails to fishing, wildlife watching, and relaxing after a day outdoors, there are activities for all kinds of travelers.
Whether you’re planning a multigenerational family getaway, a trip with friends, or a vacation with your business associates, dude ranches offer a chance to experience the West in a way that is hard to find anywhere else.
If you’re considering a dude ranch vacation and want to fill your week with plenty of things to do, here are 22 activities to add to your list.
Dude Ranch Activities
Trail Riding on Horseback
One of the best ways to experience the West is from the saddle. Most dude ranches begin with an orientation ride to help you get comfortable with your horse and the riding program. From there, your experience might include a leisurely ride to a scenic overlook, a full day exploring mountain trails, or a faster ride for those with more experience.
At a dude ranch, the riding experience can often be tailored to your ability and comfort level, making it an enjoyable part of the vacation for both beginners and experienced riders.
R Lazy S Ranch – Teton Village, WY
Bird Watching
Dude ranches can offer some wonderful opportunities for bird watching, especially in areas with a variety of habitats and native wildlife. Keep your eyes open for everything from songbirds and hummingbirds to hawks and eagles.
Blacktail Ranch in Montana is located along the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for birds. Its landscape includes meadows, pine slopes, cliffs, and riparian areas that provide habitat for a wide variety of species. Whether you’re an avid birder or simply enjoy spotting wildlife, it’s a great way to appreciate the natural surroundings.
Blacktail Ranch – Wolf Creek, MT
White Water Rafting
Suited up in your life jacket you’ll get to race (or meander) down crystal clear water for yet another perspective on this beautiful location. Rimrock Ranch in Wyoming has an afternoon of their weekly program that is designated for a white-water rafting trip for all of the ranch guests to enjoy.
Rimrock Ranch – Cody, WY
Petting Zoos
Petting zoos on dude ranches are not just for children. Even adults enjoy interacting with all sorts of farm animals, from baby goats and pigs to gathering eggs from the chicken coop.
Overnight Campouts or Pack Trips
Spending a night in the backcountry is a memorable way to experience the West. Overnight campouts and pack trips take guests beyond the main ranch grounds, offering a chance to explore remote landscapes, enjoy a campfire, and spend a night surrounded by nature.
At Black Mountain Ranch in Colorado, guests can experience an overnight pack trip into the mountains. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and get a taste of backcountry travel while spending time on horseback.
Black Mountain Ranch – McCoy, CO
Cattle Drives
Hup, hup! A cattle drive gives guests a firsthand look at one of the most recognizable parts of ranch life. Working alongside ranchers and wranglers, you’ll help move cattle across the range, learning about the work that goes into caring for livestock.
At Klondike Ranch in Wyoming, cattle work is part of everyday life. Guests can join in moving cattle between pastures and experience the work of a historic, working cattle ranch. Depending on the season and ranch schedule, cattle work can be a hands-on part of the vacation.
Klondike Ranch – Buffalo,WY
Kids Activities
Dude ranches offer plenty of ways for younger guests to stay busy. Depending on the ranch, activities might include swimming, nature walks, horsemanship lessons, games, and time with other children.
Many ranches offer programs designed around different age groups, giving kids a chance to make friends, learn new skills, and enjoy their own ranch adventures while spending time outdoors.
Massages
Why not sign up for a relaxing massage to complete your afternoon? With trained professionals in some of the most beautiful locations, you’ll enjoy a lavish spa experience. You’ll really like the full-body massage customized for your preferences at Hubbard’s Six Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana. After a day in the saddle, this is just what the doctor ordered.
Hubbard’s Six Quarter Circle Ranch – Emigrant, MT
Shooting & Archery Sports
You’ll be given instruction and participate in a safely controlled environment to learn and practice shooting different types of firearms and archery.
ATV Rides
Cinch down your helmet and hit the road for an afternoon of exploring on ATVs as one of the most fun dude ranch activities.
Horse Drawn Wagon/Sleigh Rides
There’s something special about traveling behind a team of draft horses. Wagon and sleigh rides offer a slower-paced way to take in the scenery, enjoy time with family and friends, and experience a traditional form of Western transportation.
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in Idaho offers sleigh and wagon rides, giving guests a chance to enjoy the ranch landscape from behind a team of horses.
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch – Sandpoint, ID
Yoga
Try a yoga class with a certified trainer whenever you like. You might enjoy a class outside amongst the aspen trees or in a quaint cabin studio.
Fly Fishing
Whether you are an expert or a beginner your own personal fly-fishing guide will help you catch various types of trout on super private waters. The Goosewing Ranch offers twice-weekly instruction on their stocked pond, allowing you to fine-tune your fishing skills. Also, they offer all sorts of equipment for the guests to use and a map of all the prime fishing locations on the ranch.
Goosewing Ranch – Jackson, WY
Glamping
Glamping has become the new trend it seems and dude ranches are following suit. The Bull Hill Guest Ranch in Washington has 2 new glamping tents less than 5 years old! Each tent is just 100 feet from the shower house where each tent has its own private bath and shower. Both tents are fully furnished and do have electricity as well as heat. They also have beautiful porches to kick back and relax after a day full of ranch activities.
Bull Hill Guest Ranch – Kettle Falls, WA
Rustic Weddings
Picturesque settings, wide-open spaces and top-notch amenities draw thousands of brides-to-be and their grooms to dude ranches each year. Whether you would like to run off and elope or prefer inviting the whole family there are plenty of options for planning your dude ranch wedding. The Absaroka Ranch in Wyoming can accommodate 16 people in their four cabins and host up to 200 guests for the day of the wedding. There’s nothing like a reception with 360-degree breathtaking views and a mountain backdrop.
Absaroka Ranch – Dubois, WY
Talent Show
The ranch staff and guests alike are some pretty talented people and friendly competition can be found in many forms during your vacation. You’ll enjoy watching and participating in a talent night at the ranch. You can sing, tap or joke your way to local stardom in a talent show. You won’t soon forget these memories!
Jeep Tours
At the Hawley Mountain Ranch, you’ll get to take an all-day jeep tour adventure to places where very few people can travel. Ready to see an old ghost town or visit Monument Peak at nearly 11,000 feet?? Hawley Mountain Ranch will take you there!
Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch – McLeod, MT
Zip Line
Zoom! Your adventure guide will take you on a view of the ranch like none other. You’ll get to fly through the air for another kind of wild ride.
Tennis & Golf
Some dude ranches offer tennis and golf on-site or nearby, giving guests a chance to enjoy a favorite sport while on vacation. Rancho de los Caballeros in Arizona offers golf facilities and tennis, along with a variety of other ranch experiences. Guests can enjoy time on the courts or the golf course while taking in the Sonoran Desert surroundings.
Rancho de los Caballeros – Wickenburg, AZ
Fine Wine and Fine Dining
Ranches have well-trained (even Cordon bleu trained) chefs that take a lot of pride in offering 5-star cuisine with beautifully paired wines. There are many dude ranches that also participate in Farm to Table Cuisine programs. Beautiful vegetables and fruits are harvested just a few yards from the kitchens and have flavors like you’ve never tasted before. Several ranches also have a long list of fine wines and beer selections for guests to choose from.
Team Penning
With a team of 3 riders, you’ll try your hand at a seriously fun rodeo sport. With rules that can be modified to suit, the idea is to separate a cow or steer from the group and herd it into a pen. Whoever is the fastest wins!
Hiking
From rigorous climbs to easy ambles, you can get out and explore the mountains on foot. At the Flat Creek Ranch, you’ll be able to hike up to the Teton Overlook Trail for a panoramic view of the Grand Teton National Park. Hike in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Gros Ventre Wilderness Area while at the ranch and experience some of Wyoming’s most undiscovered land.
Flat Creek Ranch – Jackson, WY
The Dude Ranchers’ Association
These are just some of the activities you can find on dude ranches. We haven’t even talked about National Park Trips, rock climbing, winter sports, and more!
To find that dude ranch experience with the right combination of activities use the search by amenity page on duderanch.org or give a ranch vacation expert a call at the Dude Ranchers’ Association.
Search by Amenity
Call a Ranch Expert 307.587.2339
