Many travelers who enjoy horseback riding want other activities, too, when they go on a guest or dude ranch vacation. Some want
to cocoon themselves in a more luxurious setting than a rustic cabin after a day on the trail. Among the activities they're seeking are spas for treatments, fly fishing on Blue Ribbon streams, even tennis or golf nearby. All the ranches offer horseback riding, but some dude ranches have a flat fee for the week while others guest ranches have an a la carte approach.
The ranch sprawls over 4000 acres in the mountains about two hours from Denver. Cabin Creek Stables sessions include horsemanship skills and trail rides, but leave time to go fly fishing with a resident guide or get a treatment in the Ranch Creek Spa. Here you must choose between ridge-top cabins, with antique furniture and wood-burning fireplaces, or a cozy room in the lodge. Pricing is a la carte, based on your activities. Photo: Devil's Thumb Ranch/Perry Johnson
Located in Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains, Paradise Guest Ranch offers horseback riding, riding and fishing pack trips and fly fishing in the Blue Ribbons waters of the Powder River. The ranch has an active kids' program. Guests stay in cabins with fireplaces, and there's a western saloon where you can spend the evening hours. Prices range from $1,450 to $1,775 for adults; from $1,300 to $1,600 for kids ages 6-12.
This ranch, a member of Relais and Chateau, has several adult-only weeks this September and October when the aspen trees are turning gold. Summer or fall, guests stay in eight cabins or lodge rooms with antiques, Indian rugs and comforters on the beds. Activities include horseback riding, fly fishing and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Kids can ride with their parents or with their peers and counselors. Summer, cabin rates go from $5,445 for the week and include meals and activities.
This family-run ranch is spread over 2,000 acres edging up to Flathead Lake and close to Glacier National Park. The ranch has a full riding program, including activities in the roping arena, plus sailing, fishing, kayaking and other boating activities on the lake. Guests stay in cozy cabins with a western motif. Kids can join the junior wranglers program, where they learn how to care for horses as well as ride. Call for package prices.
This ranch sits in mountains overlooking Paradise Valley, 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. In addition to action-filled weeklong stays, Mountain Sky offers specialty programs including Painting Montana, Getaway Weeks for couples and singles and Wild West Women Adventure. Lodging is in cabins, including two in remote locations for visitors who really want to stay in natural settings. Packages go from $2,940-$3,640 for adults; $2,450-$2,975 for ages 7-12.
Relax in a handcrafted log cabin at this ranch in Arizona's Apache National Forest. You can ride along more than 975 miles of trails that wind through the two-million-acre Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Weather permitting, you can even go horseback riding in the snow in the winter.
This scenic, historic property is situated along two miles of the Gallatin River. In the summertime there's riding, fishing, rafting, and Yellowstone National Park is nearby. Wintertime, guests can take sleigh rides, go snowmobiling and ski at Big Sky, 12 miles away.
