The DRA
Ride, Relax, and Rejuvenate on a “Girl’s Only” Trip
Grab the girls and head to these Wyoming or Colorado ranches for an adventure you won’t forget. Get back to the roots with the girls as there is a Western Ranch for every cowgirl’s Wild West dream.
Photo: Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch
Summer in Cody, Wyoming
There’s nothing like a Wild West girlfriend week in summer! Maybe the children are at camp or with their grandparents, or you can take a break from work, and this is your time for a carefree escape. Cody is the world’s rodeo capital and features a nightly rodeo in summer. Nearby Yellowstone National Park is an enormous draw, and many of the dude ranches have leases to take rides throughout America’s first National Park and nearby Shoshone State Park, America’s first designated National Forest. Cody also has loads of authentic Western bars, tours, the headquarters of the Dude Ranchers’ Association right off Main Street and a darn good trolley tour for all ages, girlfriends included. Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody is actually four museums in one location and has an exhibit for every gal, and a great retail boutique.
Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch
Miles to Cody: 46
The century-old Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch has provided visitors with rustically beautiful lodging by the same family (now fourth-generation) for a truly authentic and rugged dude ranch week. The girls can pack the day with as much activity as they like such as two-hour and all-day horseback rides, breakfast and dinner rides, a guided trip into Yellowstone National Park, a float trip on the Shoshone River, dinner and a show at the Cody Cattle Company as well as the Cody Nite Rodeo, and a night of western swing dancing at the Lodge. There’s more—hiking, wildlife photography, fishing (not guided), and opportunities to visit in-town attractions.
The girls can choose from comfy log cabins, each with unique layouts. Gather in the historic main lodge with beautiful dining area, fully-stocked bar, living room with a large stone fireplace, and a front porch perfect for propping up your cowgirl boots and enjoying the clean mountain air.
Rimrock Dude Ranch
Miles to Cody: 25
Do you have a competitive group of girls? Then this family-owned and operated ranch built in 1926 on the banks of Canyon Creek with spectacular views overlooking the Wapiti Valley is ideal with old-fashioned softball games, variety show night and throw-back classics to the Wild West setting. The setting is authentic in the Wapiti Valley (East Yellowstone Valley) that connects Cody to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Driving in or arrange an airport transfer with the ranch for the group. Enjoy The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Highway which passes by Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir, Buffalo Bill State Park, numerous interesting rock formations, and through the Shoshone National.
The girls will surely be exhausted and refreshed after a week at Rimrock including horseback riding, white water rafting trip, fly-fishing, rodeo, all-day tour of Yellowstone National Park and more. The breakfast ride with incredible photo opportunities will help memorialize this majestic and remote backcountry.
The girls can choose from a variety of cabins including smaller cabins for singles and doubles and larger cabins for groups of three to ten, all with private baths and porches, situated on the banks of Canyon Creek.
Autumn in Durango, Colorado
For leaf peeping-adults-only-trips, there’s no better place than September in Durango. The southwestern town is warmer than much of the other state and will keep its leaves longer, making for the most stunning landscapes in this recreation area. The historic downtown has legendary breweries, shops, hotels with stunning lobbies and bars and the railroad depot for the
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which can be turned into a day trip with picnic, theme event, etc. The town is easily bikeable with a path running along the Animas River, which also provides for autumn water opportunity.
Colorado Trails Ranch
Miles to Durango: 13
Just minutes from downtown Durango is Colorado Trails Ranch offers some of the most diverse fall activity of any Rocky Mountain Ranch! With proximity to reservoirs and rivers, including onsite ponds and streams, CTR has the best in mountain water recreation including fly-fishing, lake tubing, white water river rafting, and even horseback rides through streams and into the mountains. The girls will love the combination of wild water and wild west adventure.
There’s daily horseback riding, hiking, fishing and more! Compete in a game of volleyball, basketball or pickleball on the new sport court. There’s also a heated pool and hot tub to enjoy. Cozy up to an authentic, century’s-old soda fountain in the General Store at the ranch with all the childhood classics.
Majestic Dude Ranch
Miles to Durango: 33
This is the “Field of Dreams” ranch for the girls! Majestic Dude Ranch is located just a few miles from Durango and is the only ranch in Colorado to have a regulation-sized baseball field amongst its herd of horses. The bright, red cabins are iconic, the immense amount of fall activity for the girls is insane. Choose from day-long rides, paint ball, laser tag, fly-fishing, archery, skeet shooting, whitewater rafting, and much more. The girls will come to realize, it’s not just the field of dreams, it’s the ranch of dreams!
The adult-only week in September ensures there’s no one to battle for the onsite game room, sauna, hot tub, saloon and much more on the ‘majestic’ grounds of the southwest ranch. Spa appointments can also be arranged the luxury suites and cabins alongside farm-to-table and local ranch cuisine favorites ensure the girls are nourished for all the horsing around on and off the ranch’s field!
The Dude Ranchers’ Association – All Ranches
Curious about the full list of The Dude Ranchers’ Associations’ ranches? Sort through them using our Find a Ranch tool or choose a ranch by location.
Contact the Dude Ranchers Association:
info@duderanch.org
307-587-2339
1122 12th St., Cody, WY 82414
