Activities
Have you ever dreamed of going to an affordable family vacation where you can experience the beauty of the outdoors and leave “real life” behind for a while? The noises of construction and sirens…and your boss…are left at home and replaced with the sounds of a trickling stream, birds chirping, children laughing, and even silence.
If you have ever fantasized about leaving commute traffic behind and replacing it with horses on the trail or cattle being guided to summer pasture, then a Dude Ranch is the place for you! Lots of people have this dream but think it’s too expensive for them. Many of these same people have the misconceived notion that a cruise or a trip where they pay for items à la carte will be more affordable.
All-Inclusive Ranches
The one thing you can be assured of is that when our DRA ranches state all-inclusive, it means just that. The rate at DRA ranches includes lodging, meals, horseback riding, and most other activities offered. There are no additional charges for valet parking or resort fees, and the forests and deserts these ranches are located in never charge you for the beauty that will surround you because the fresh air and the joyful noises of nature are priceless.
How do Dude Ranches compare in cost to cruises or Disney World?
When you compare dude ranch vacations to a trip to Disney World or a luxury cruise, the initial base prices may look competitive on paper until you account for all the extra fees. With theme parks like Disney World or cruises, the upfront cost is rarely the final total. The extras like parking, speciality dining, hotel stays, drink packages, taxes and gratuities, maybe even shore excursions off the cruise, can unexpectedly add up.
Based on average figures for 2027 dude ranch vacations, cruises, and Disney, respectively, dude ranches are roughly $600 per night per person, Disney $480 per person per night, and cruises $475 per night per person. Typically, rate increases are 3-5% each year, so no matter when you are reading this, you can do quick math on what prices may be present day.
At a DRA member dude ranch, all-inclusive truly means what you see is what you get. Your upfront rate covers lodging, meals, and daily ranch activities. While some ranches offer optional extras – like specialized spa treatments, on-site golf, or guided fly-fishing – the difference is complete transparency. You will never encounter hidden resort fees or surprise charges on your final bill; you’ll always know exactly what is included before you even pack. You’ll get an all-inclusive getaway where family time takes priority for a predictable budget.
As it turns out, a dude ranch vacation is a bargain!
Additionally, there is so much more to a dude ranch than a cold hotel room with a bed and a restaurant in the lobby. The part of a dude ranch vacation you can’t put a price on is the personal interaction and sense of family you feel at a ranch. Many guests will leave the ranch at the end of their stay and will have made lifelong friends with the owners, staff, or even other guests. At most likely every ranch, you will hear stories of families that met on a ranch vacation years ago and continue to see each other once a year on that annual family reunion dude ranch trip to what many families consider their second home.
Dude ranches pride themselves on going the extra mile to make their guests feel special, which is why over 60% of all dude ranch guests are repeat customers. If the ranches weren’t doing it right, the guests wouldn’t come back year after year…some for 2, 3 and even 4 generations.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association
So the next time you are planning a vacation, consider the value of a dude ranch, and the memories you take home will last a lifetime. For more information about the 90+ ranches in The Dude Ranchers’ Association or if you need assistance in choosing the perfect ranch for YOUR affordable family vacation, please visit duderanch.org or feel free to give us a call.
