Horses, hats, hospitality, heritage, honesty, and heart. You can find the “6 H’s” all in one place, on a dude ranch.
Here at KidTripster, we’re all about unique vacations. We want to take you beyond the ordinary and help you experience something extraordinary with your family. We think a dude ranch vacation is just that… extraordinary.
Unique vacation experience
A dude ranch is an all-inclusive vacation experience. Depending on the ranch, you’ll find a range of activities including horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, cycling, zip lining, white water rafting, rodeos, campfire sing-a-longs, western dancing, fine dining, and more. But let’s be honest, do you really need more than that?
There are three categories of dude ranches. The working ranch allows guests to participate in chores around the ranch like fixing fences and feeding horses. (Note – being a ranch hand is at your own discretion, it’s an opportunity for those who want to get the full ranch experience. Ranches understand that guests are on vacation so working is not a requirement.) A traditional ranch typically has family-friendly programs with horseback riding being the central focus of guest activities. Then there’s the luxury ranch. Here guests will find horseback riding as well as other activities. Often these are larger ranches with added luxuries like guided activities. Think Western flair with luxury comfort. Stay a week or for an extended weekend. The ranch vacation can accommodate every type of traveler including multi-generational families.
It might be hard to envision exactly what a dude ranch vacation entails. KidTripster interviewed Bryce Street, the Executive Director of the Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA), to get a better idea.
Animals & activities
KidTripster: Beyond horse rides and cookouts, what does a dude ranch vacation consist of?
Bryce Street: At the Dude Ranchers’ Association member dude ranches, you can be sure to find horseback riding at least once if not twice a day, an array of other outdoor activities (ziplining, river rafting, skeet shooting, etc.), wonderful meals prepared by top-notch chefs, rustic chic accommodations, and genuine people who are excited to make their guests’ vacations as memorable and fantastic as possible! DRA member dude ranches all have some kind of historical aspect and make their guests feel like they have stepped back in time.
KidTripster: Is prior experience riding horses or working with animals required?
Bryce Street: You do not have to have experience riding horses or working with animals to participate at most DRA dude ranches. There are a few working cattle ranches that require previous riding experience, but that is mainly for guest safety. Almost all DRA ranches can accommodate beginner riders as well as advanced horsemen and women.
Accommodations & meals
KidTripster: What types of accommodations will guests experience on a dude ranch?
Bryce Street: Guests can expect to find three main types of accommodations at a dude ranch: cabins, lodge rooms and even tents. Each ranch has different style of accommodations, but you can be assured they are all comfortable and cozy. When at a dude ranch, there is not much time spent in cabins or rooms anyway! Some ranches do have “glamping” (glamorous camping tents). If guests are looking for a way to live like the cowboys once did in canvas wall tents, these comfortable rustic tents are the answer. Some ranches also have converted Conestoga wagons that guests can stay in, too.
KidTripster: How are meals handled?
Bryce Street: At DRA ranches meals are part of the all-inclusive package. In the DRA’s founding principles, the 6 H’s – horses, hats, hospitality, heritage, honesty and heart – it states that dude ranches shall operate primarily on an American plan which means accommodations and meals are included in one price.
Best ages & times to visit
KidTripster: What ages are best suited for a ranch vacation?
Bryce Street: There really isn’t a specific age range that’s best for a ranch vacation. Infants to elderly folks are welcome at a dude ranch. The age restrictions do come into effect when it comes to activities, especially horseback riding. Each ranch is different and has its own set of restrictions and rules. Guests just need to ask about these restrictions when booking their stay.
KidTripster: Is there an ideal time of year to take a ranch vacation?
Bryce Street: Spring break, summer vacation, and winter break are all great times to visit dude ranches with a family and sometimes ranches even run specials for those times. Spending the holidays at a dude ranch is a great way to bring people and families together as well. Many ranches have specialty weeks, too, like adult-only weeks in the spring and fall. Ranches also host yoga retreats, fly-fishing retreats, horseback riding clinics, singer-songwriter weeks and more. The opportunities of how dude ranches can bring people together are endless.
Choosing the right ranch
KidTripster: For folks interested in learning more about vacationing at a dude ranch, what would you advise them to do?
Bryce Street: I would encourage them to visit the Dude Ranchers’ Association website. There’s fantastic information on the site about how to choose a ranch, the activities and amenities available, why they should choose a DRA ranch, what they should pack, specific profiles for each ranch and so much more. The Dude Ranchers’ Association website is the hub of all of the important information about dude ranches, from the history of dude ranching to what airport to fly into for each ranch, the website has all the information guests are looking for.
Ranching history
Bryce Street is the Executive Director of the Dude Ranchers’ Association. She spent her early years growing up on a dude ranch in Wyoming. As part of her job, Street visits all of the member ranches. Membership is a rigorous inspection and approval process to ensure that guests receive genuine Western hospitality combined with the lodging industry’s highest standards.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association was formed in 1926, but dude ranching dates back to the 1800s. Over time ranches evolved from working horse and cattle ranches into destinations that allowed guests to stay and help around the ranch for a fee. During the railroad boom at the turn of the 20th century, trains provided passengers a chance to experience the Western way of life with the cowboys. Dude ranch vacations were – and still are – the Original Western Vacation.
KidTripster highly recommends Circle Z Ranch in southern Arizona’s dramatic Sonoran Desert. Our writer Jason Bacon and his family spent a week at this full-service ranch, and they’re still raving about it. Get a sneak peek by watching our video here
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