Ranches by Experience
The Dude Ranchers’ Association has scoured the Western United States and found the best dude and guest ranch vacations money can buy. As with the nature of a ranch, horseback riding is a key outdoor adventure of the day’s activities, but for some foodie families, the magic really starts with hors d’oeuvres, runs with a full course meal and culminates after dessert with a glass of fine wine and a peaceful sunset. We’ve picked out some of the best dude ranch vacations for foodies. We promise you’ll certainly get a craving for the culinary experiences offered by the dude ranches below. But don’t just settle for one ranch, try them all!
Dude Ranch Vacations for Foodies
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
You’ll soon discover that at Mountain Sky the meals will be one of the most memorable parts of your stay. The ranch kicks things off with hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the saloon followed by a three to five-course dinner featuring carefully crafted and regionally inspired dishes. Complement your dinner with a bottle of wine and try to leave room for a slice of chocolate decadence or Basque cake.
More Montana Dude & Guest Ranch Vacations
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is happy to accommodate any dietary needs, requests or allergies.
Gros Ventre River Ranch
Here at this Jackson Hole Wyoming dude ranch, dining is serious business. If you mention a tie at any of the meals at Gros Ventre River ranch it had better be in reference to fly fishing. While the sit-down dinners are fine dining, the dress code is anything but formal. You’ll find that jeans and boots pair well with a rack of lamb, elk tenderloin and grilled salmon.
More Wyoming Dude & Guest Ranch Vacations
You’ll definitely remember a savory barbeque complete with a cowboy singer around the fire pit at Gros Ventre River Ranch.
Vista Verde Ranch
The culinary program and foodie philosophy at Vista Verde Ranch is designed to impress even the most experienced palates. With each meal Executive Chef Cholly McGlynn balances ranch-y with fancy, comfort food with a lighter option, as well as accommodates any dietary restrictions.
More Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Vacations
Attend a wine tasting class at the Vista Verde Ranch. The love of wine is a lot like the love of horses – you’ll never be an expert, because there’s always more to learn.
The Home Ranch
As a Relais and Chateaux property, the Home Ranch serves inspired Farm to table cuisine. By farm to table they mean the chefs serve Sand Mountain beef, pork and poultry along with all of the produce, herbs and flowers the ranch’s greenhouse and raised bed gardens can grow in a season.
More Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Vacations
And every day starts with a great breakfast at the Home Ranch.
4UR Ranch
One of the highest considerations at the 4UR Ranch is the quality and creativity of the food prepared for guests and staff. You can expect the food to be beautiful and delicious as well as homegrown and locally sourced. You’ll appreciate Chef Blake’s Le Cordon Bleu’s perfected talents whether it’s dinner in the lodge or a lunch picnic next to the stream.
More Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Vacations
While most ranch resorts serve meals family style, the 4UR ranch prefers to reserve a table for you and your family for the entire week of your stay.
In love with the Dude Ranchers’ Association’s selection of dude ranch vacations for foodies?
Whichever ranch you choose to go to first, your foodie vacation will surely take your taste buds on a fresh discovery of flavors and menus. However, you’ll also realize that the food isn’t the only highlight of your vacation. You’ll love every minute of these western ranch vacations. From fly fishing, hiking, and horseback riding to water sports. During the day you’ll work up an appetite in some of the most remote, mountainous locations in the West. From California to Arkansas the Dude Ranchers’ Association represents the best of all luxury dude ranch vacations, working cattle ranch vacations and traditional guest ranch vacations.
Read more about culinary dude ranch experiences & dude ranch recipes here.
