A ranch vacation has long offered a uniquely American escape, a chance to replace our frantic modern schedules with the lumbering pace of the steer, to substitute the endlessly spacious existence of the cowboy for the cramped life of an urban worker. Most of all, dude and guest ranches allow us to fantasize the dusty, delicious myths of the Old West.
But many ranches are far too costly, sometimes asking upwards of two thousand dollars and more for a one-week stay. And even the professional ranch associations are often unaware of the inexpensive alternatives. One large group of guest ranches, for example, told us there were no properties in their state that charged as little as $900 a week. Budget Travel found four of them. Attempts to come up with low-priced ranches through another state association were also unsuccessful. But our research turned up seven ranch bargains in that other state. In fact, we’ve located 69 economical ranches in 28 states, spread nicely around the country to help simplify travel and minimize costs.
Budget Travel’s requirements are simple and, as always, affordable: To make our list, a ranch must almost always provide a full week’s stay (seven nights) that includes lodging and meals for $900 or less per adult. Usually, and with only rare exceptions, it must throw in horseback riding as part of its all-inclusive package. (Several ranches have actually reduced prices to meet our criteria, giving Budget Travel readers exclusive special deals.)
In a few instances, we’ve listed ranches that don’t serve all meals as part of their packages but are great bargains anyway. These ranches offer other ways to eat that keep the total cost at or below $900, whether this means cooking your own meals or dining at nearby budget restaurants.
Bear in mind, please, that our list is intended only to help ease your search for the perfect dude or guest ranch. You still must ask questions when you write, call, or e-mail. Some ranches are very rustic, lacking even electricity. Others serve gourmet meals among fine art. Some ranches allow only nose-to-tail trail-riding. Others give you a chance to ride your horse more freely. A little research based on your individual tastes and needs will pay off with the kind of ranch experience you really want.
ARIZONA
Bar BK Muleshoe Ranch, HC37, Bagdad Route, Prescott, AZ 86301, 800/830-6853, www.muleshoe-ranch.com. Budget rates of $830 per week (seven nights) per adult, the same $830 per child, available year around, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming and hot tub. An authentic cattle ranch with seasonal round-ups.
Bar 10 Ranch, Whitmore Canyon, AZ, no mail service, 800/582-4139, www.bar10.com. Budget rates of $129 per night for adults, same for children, available May-September only, including all meals, use of a horse, skeet shooting, horseshoes, and volleyball. Riding is often within sight of the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Whitewater rafting and guided ATV tours are also available.
Flying E Dude Ranch, 2801 West Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, AZ 85390, 888/684-2650, www.flyingranch.com. Budget rates of $945 for seven nights, variable rates for children, available November-April only, including all meals, sauna, swimming, and tennis. Horses not included in lodging rates. A 17-room, family-style ranch.
La Tierra Linda Guest Ranch, 7501 North Wade Road, Tucson, AZ 85743, 888/872-6241, www.latierralinda.com. Budget rates of $115-$185 per adult per night, variable rate for children, depending on season. Includes three meals and two horseback rides per day (a restaurant is on premises). Does include swimming, tennis, basketball, and petting zoo. Riding is in Saguaro National Park.
Lazy K Bar Ranch, 8401 N. Scenic Drive, Tucson, AZ 85743, 800/321-7018, www.lazykbar.com. Budget rates of $155 per adult per night (10 percent discount offered on stays of seven nights or more), $95 per child, available May-September, including all meals, a horse, swimming, tennis, rappelling, and hot tub. A small ranch with a family atmosphere.
Price Canyon Ranch, P.O. Box 1065, Douglas, AZ 85608, 800/727-0065, www.pricecanyon.com. Budget rates of $945 per adult per seven-night week, $525 per child, available all year round, including all meals, a horse and swimming. Price Canyon is a working cattle ranch at 5,600 feet, surrounded by the Coronado National Forest.
Rancho de la Osa, P.O. Box 1, Sasabe, AZ 85633, 800/872-6240, www.ranchodelaosa.com. Budget rates of $850 per adult per seven-night week, $700 per child, available June and July only, including all meals, a horse, swimming, hot tub, and mountain biking. There’s an emphasis on gourmet food and wine, we’re told.
Sunglow Guest Ranch, HCR 1, Box 385, Turkey Creek Rd., Pearce, AZ 85625, 520/824-3334, www.sunglowranch.com. Budget rates of $119 per adult per night, $63 for children, available all year around, but not including the cost of a horse. Does include all meals, volleyball, fishing, horseshoes. Location is beside the Chiricahua Mountains.
White Stallion Ranch, 9251 West Twin Peaks Road, Tucson, AZ 85743 888/977-2624. Budget rates of $770-$952 per adult per seven-night week, $574 per child, available October-December only, including use of a horse, all meals, swimming, tennis, and hot tub. An upscale but authentic cattle ranch with Internet access.
ARKANSAS
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, 3900 Lochridge Road, North Little Rock, AR 72116-8312, 800/480-9635, www.horsecanyon.com. Budget Rates of $755 per adult per seven-night week, $380 for children 3 to 7, available March-May and August-December only, including use of a horse, all meals, swimming, fishing, and hot tub. The ranch is on 350 acres near Buffalo River.
Lost Spur Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 8148, Harrison, AR 72602, 888/987-2457, www.guestranches.com/lostspur. Budget rates of $995 per adult per seven-night week, $590 for children, available May-August only, including all meals, a horse, canoeing and fishing. Highlights are chuck wagon dinners and riding in the Ozark Mountains.
Scott Valley Ranch, P.O. Box 1447, Mountain Home, AR 72654, 888/855-7747, www.scottvalley.com. Budget rates of $690-$870 per adult per seven-night week, $570-$750 per child, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming, tennis, and hot tub. When you do ride, you ride on gentle Missouri Foxtrotter horses.
CALIFORNIA
Coffee Creek Ranch, HC2 4940 Coffee Creek Road, Trinity Center, CA 96091, 800/624-4480, www.coffeecreek.com. Budget rates of $945 per adult per six-night week, $825 per child, available April-June and September-November only, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming, hot tub, and panning for gold. Emphasis on gourmet food and hospitality.
Howard Creek Ranch, P.O. Box 121, Westport, CA 95488, 707/964-6725, www.howardcreekranch.com. Budget rates available 12 months a year, starting at $80 per double room per night in an 1871 farm house; $20 for each additional person; includes breakfast cooked on the original wood stoves. Does include swimming and hot tub, but not horseback riding. On oceanfront with mountain backdrop.
Rock Creek Pack Station, P.O. Box 248, Bishop, CA 93515, 760/872-8331, www.rockcreekpackstation. Budget rates of $895 per adult per seven-night week, the same for children, available June-September, but not including meals. Does include use of a horse and fishing. Features wilderness camping along a trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
COLORADO
Elkhead Ranch, 8102 RCR 56, Hayden, CO 81639, 970/276-3920, www.ranchweb.com/elkhead. Budget rates of $140 per adult per night, available May-October only, including all meals, use of a horse, fishing, horseshoes and pool table. A historic cattle ranch in the Rockies of northwest Colorado.
La Garita Creek Ranch, E39, Del Norte, CO 81132, 888/838-3833, www.ranchweb.com/lagarita. Budget rates of $990-$1,250 per adult per six-night week, $550-$1,050 per child, available May-September only, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming and hot tub. Guests, if they wish, can take care of their own horse for the week, including saddling.
Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, 17931 Red Feather Lakes Road, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545, 800/357-4930, www.sundancetrail.com. Budget rates of $860 per adult per seven-night week, variable rates for children, available October-May only, including all meals, use of a horse, pool table and hot tub. Offers an educational horseback-riding program.
FLORIDA
Ho’s Ponderosa Dude Ranch, 7586 Southwest 90th Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513, 877/707-2624, www.hponderosa.com. Budget rates available year-round: $650 per six-night week for adults, $425 for children, including all meals, use of a horse. Special extras include volleyball, swimming, a rodeo, and sing-alongs.
GEORGIA
Southern Cross Ranch, P.O. Box 35, Madison, GA 30650. 888/987-2457, www.southcross.com. Budget rates available year-round of $550-$875 for seven nights for adults, $210 to $480 for children, including meals, use of a horse, swimming, and unescorted horseback riding.
IDAHO
Granite Creek Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 340, Ririe, ID 83443, 208/538-7140, www.granitecreekranch.com. Budget rates available June-August: six nights start at $960 for adults, $480?$720 for children, including use of a horse, all meals, fishing. Family-oriented working cattle ranch at 6,000 feet.
Shepp Ranch, P.O. Box 5446, Boise, ID 83705, 208/343-7729, www.sheppranch.com. Budget rates available April-June, seven nights cost $980 for adults, $775 for children, including all meals, hot tub, sauna, boating. A small ranch in the Nez Perce National Forest on the Main Salmon River.
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, 1413 Upper Gold Creek Road, Sandpoint, ID 208/263-9066, www.westernpleasureranch.com. June through September, budget rates of $1,000 for seven nights for adults, $655 for children, including all meals, use of a horse, hot tub, volleyball, swing set. A small family ranch in the foothills of the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains.
KANSAS
Homestead Ranch, R.R. 1, Box 32, Matfield Greeb, KS 66862, 620/753-3416. Year-round, rates from $840 for seven nights for adults, $840 for children, including all meals and riding, hot tub, horseshoes. In the midst of a tall-grass prairie.
First Farm Inn, 2510 Stevens Road, Idlewild, KY 41080, 800/277-9527. Open year-round, $540 for seven nights for two adults, $126 per child, all breakfasts included (there are nearby budget restaurants), hot tub, fishing. 1870s vintage farmhouse, with massage therapy additional. Horseback riding is $35 for a two-hour ride.
LOUISIANA
St. John Ranch and Lodge, 2424 St. John Road, Homer, LA 71040, 318/927-4484, www.guestranches.com/stjohn. Budget rates of $460 per adult per seven-night week, same for children, available year-round, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming. The ranch offers rides through hilly north Louisiana forest and pastures.
MICHIGAN
Happy Hollow Ranch, 4773 Mack Road, Howell, MI 48843, 517/546-3351, www.zfarms.com. All-year budget rates of $125 per adult per day, same for children, including all meals, use of a horse, swimming, fishing. Small, private, and quiet.
MISSOURI
Turkey Creek Ranch, HC 3 Box 3180, Theodosia, MO 65761, 417/273-4362. Private cabins for four people or more start at $497 per week. Meals are extra, riding is $15 per hour. Swimming and water activities at Bull Shoals Lake, tennis, volleyball, and ranch activities.
Bull Lake Guest Ranch, 15303 Bull Lake Road, Troy, MT 59935, 800/995-4228. Budget rates, May-November, of $340 per adult per seven-night week (children’s rates vary), including all meals, game room, and horseshoes. Riding costs extra. Beside five-mile long Bull Lake with swimming and boating.
CB Cattle and Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 146, Cameron, MT 59720, 760/723-1932 or 406/682-4954, www.cbranch.com. Budget rates apply June-August: $850 per person for seven nights, including all meals and riding. Horseshoes, volleyball, and fly-fishing near Yellowstone Park.
Laughing Water Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 157, Fortine, MT 59918, 800/847-5095, www.lwranch.com. In May, early June, late August and September, budget rates are $625 per person for seven nights, including all meals, horseback riding and hot tub. Family atmosphere.
Parade Rest Guest Ranch, 7979 Grayling Creek Road, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, 800/753-5934, www.parade-rest-ranch.com. From June through September, adult rates are $125 per person per day (children’s rates vary), including all meals, hot tub, volleyball, campfires, and all riding (through the Gallatin National Forest).
Sweet Grass Ranch, 460 Rein Lane, Big Timber, MT 59011-7745, 406/537-4477, www.sweetgrassranch.com. From June 10-Labor Day, seven-night budget rates of $900 for adults, $500 for children, including all meals, unlimited riding, swimming. Participation in family ranch life is a highlight of the stay.
NEBRASKA
JX Ranch, P.O. Box 484, Crawford, NE 69339, 308/665-1585, www.jxranch.com. Budget rates from May 15-September 30: $910 for seven nights for adults, $455 for children, including all meals and riding. This is a working cattle ranch on the Pine Ridge overlooking Fort Robinson where Crazy Horse was killed.
NEW MEXICO
Hartley Guest Ranch, 50 Guest Ranch Lane, Roy, NM 87743, 800/687-3833, www.hartleyranch.com. A small working cattle ranch on 25,000 acres, from April-September it charges a budget rate of $950 ($100 less for kids) for five nights of room, board, riding, and amenities/activities such as hot tub, volleyball, fishing, and zooming around on all-terrain vehicles.
NEW YORK
Pinegrove Dude Ranch, P.O. Box 209, 30 Cherrytown Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446, 800/346-4626, www.pinegrove-ranch.com. It’s open all year round in New York’s Catskills Mountains, with a seven-night summer rate from $720 per adult and $360 per child for room, board, use of a horse, and seasonal swimming and tennis facilities.
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, 600 Route 44-55, Highland, NY 12528, 800/647-2624, www.rhranch.com. In New York’s Hudson Valley, it’s open year round and charges a spring rate of $765 for adults and $300 for kids, including seven nights’ lodging, breakfast, dinner, and warm-weather facilities for swimming, tennis, golf, and basketball.
Ridin-Hy Ranch, PO Box 369, Warrensburg, NY 12885, 518/494-2742. Seven nights of room, board, and riding cost $720 for adults, $350-$565 for children at this year-round ranch in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Swimming available in season.
Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch, PO Box 310, Gerlach, NV 89412, 530/233-4881, www.soldiermeadows.com. Ride among wild mustangs and bathe in natural hot springs. From April through October, its seven-night budget rate is $875 per person, whether adult or child.
Spur Cross Ranch, PO Box 38, Golconda, NV 89414, 800/651-4567. Costing $800 per person (for both adults and children) for seven nights of room, board, and riding, it’s a working cattle ranch at 4,500- feet in northern Nevada’s high desert, and the above budget rate applies from April through October. Other activities include fishing.
NORTH CAROLINA
Clear Creek Ranch, 100 Clear Creek Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714, 800/651-4510, www.webranch.com/clearcreek. From April-May and September-November, its seven-night budget rates for lodging, meals, and use of a horse are $950 for adults and $190 to $600 for youngsters. It offers a family atmosphere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus lots of activities, including swimming, hot-tub soaking, fishing, and a swing set.
OKLAHOMA
Rebel Hill Guest Ranch, HC 70, Box 848, Antlers, OK 74523, 580/298-2851, www.rebelhillranch.com. Open all year; besides riding among bountiful wild deer, turkeys, and other game, it has a petting zoo, and kids can sleep in covered wagons. The charge for seven nights of lodging and all meals is $625-$800 per cabin (up to four people); riding is $15 per person per hour.
OREGON
Aspen Ridge Resort, P.O. Box 2, Bly, OR 97622, 800/393-3323, www.aspenrr.com. A working ranch with 1,000 head of cattle on 14,000 acres, it has swimming and tennis facilities, and from April-February charges a seven-night budget rate of $490 per person for lodging. Riding is an extra $40 per day.
Bar M Ranch, 58840 Bar M Lane, Adams, OR 97810, 888/824-3381, www.guestranches.com/barm. From September through May, the seven-night budget rate is $856 for adults, $417 for kids, including all homestyle meals, riding, and swimming in the hot springs pool. Riding is extra at $25/hour per person. In summer, prices rise by about $200.
Long Hollow Ranch, 71105 Holmes Road, Sisters, OR 97759, 877/923-1901, www.guestranches.com/lhranch. From May-October, come ride in central Oregon’s high desert, and enjoy other amenities such as a hot tub and golf, for a budget rate of $895 for seven nights (room, board, and horse included). Sorry, no kids.
PENNSYLVANIA
Buck Valley Ranch LLC, 1344 Negro Mountain Road, Warfordsburg, PA 17267, 800/294-3759, www.buckvalleyranch.com. In the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania, it’s open all year, has a hot tub and swimming facilities, and charges $350 (kids) to $675 (adults) for seven nights of lodging, all meals, and riding.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Badlands Ranch and Resort, HCR Box 53, Interior, SD 57750, 877/433-5599, www.badlandsranchandresort.com. Open year-round overlooking the White River and the Badlands, it charges $315 (except June September) for seven nights with meals, and fun activities like swimming, fishing, paddleboating, and nightly bonfires. Kids stay free, but riding costs extra.
The Brink Outfit, HC 78, Box 515, Union Center, SD 57787, 605/985-5285. A family ranch accommodating one group at a time, it operates all year and charges $900 per person for seven nights’ worth of room, board, and riding. You can fish, too.
Western Dakota Ranch Vacations, 22023 Trask Road, Wall, SD 57790, 605/279-2300. Ride year-round among the rugged cedar-covered hills along the Cheyenne River, for $700 per person for seven nights of lodging, meals, and use of a horse. Swimming and fishing are also options.
TENNESSEE
French Board Outpost Ranch, 461 Old River Road, Del Rio, TN 37727, 800/995-7678, www.frenchbroadriver. The $960-per-adult rate ($750 per child) covers seven-nights’ lodging, all meals, riding, and use of a hot tub. That budget rate is in effect September-May.
TEXAS
Dixie Dude Ranch, P.O. Box 548, Bandera, TX 78003, 800/375-9255. Swimming and fishing complement trail rides through the Texas hill country year-round, with an emphasis on cowboy staff and food. Seven nights of lodging, plus all meals and riding, are covered by the per-person adult rate of $700 (kids $185-$400).
Bar H Dude Ranch, P.O. Box 1191, Clarendon, TX 79220, 888/987-2457. Amid wide open plains, it offers year-round riding, room, and half-board (breakfast and dinner, including some barbecues), along with swimming facilities, for a low seven-night price of $425 for adults and $265 for children.
Flying L Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 1959, Bandera, TX 78003, 800/292-5134, www.flyingl.com. Year round, enjoy trail riding through Texas hill country, lodging, breakfast and dinner, and golf and tennis facilities, all at a seven-night cost of $560 for adults and $280 for kids.
Primitive Acres Guest Ranch, Route 1, Box P11, Mt. Enterprise, TX 75681, 800/248-1541, www.primitiveacres.com. The year-round per-person rate is $700 for seven nights of room, board, riding, swimming, fishing, and hot tub soaking, all on a small ranch that touts its personal service.