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Archive for the ‘What am I going to do?’ Category

Why Dude Ranches?

September 2nd, 2011 by Kim @ The DRA

Another great article from Travel Savvy News...

Dress Me Once More in a Sombrero that Flaps –
Spurs, Flannel Shirt, Slicker and Chaps –
Out Where the Sagebrush is Dusty and Gray –
Make me a Cowboy Again for a Day –

What is it that attracts so many of us to the allure of the West? Is it the cowboys, horses, cattle, wide-open spaces or just good old Western Hospitality? All of these things and more can be found on a Dude Ranch. Not only do today’s dude ranches supply guests with the real western experience, but they can also provide a family vacation value second to none.

Ever since dude ranches evolved around the turn of the century, horses have been one of the central attractions and remain so. Whether hearing the pounding hooves as the wranglers round up the string on a cool summer morning, climbing into the high country with family and friends to enjoy the spectacular views or Loping through a wildflower strewn mountain meadow, a ranch vacation will deliver images and memories of the horse that you will not soon forget. Today’s ranches however, have much more to offer.

Dude Ranches have expanded their activity list to include such adventures as blue ribbon fly fishing, naturalist guided hiking, natural water swimming, local history excursions, wilderness pack trips, mountain biking, spa treatments and white water rafting to name a few. What all of this comes down to is flexibility and options. With so many choices you will begin to feel that there just may not be enough hours in the day to do it all. Well…then you have the evenings which may include such entertaining events as chuck-wagon dinners, western dancing, cowboy poetry, star gazing, or just hanging out by the big bon fire exchanging stories with the cowboys.

A Dude Ranch vacation gives parents a chance to enjoy their own pursuits or spend time with their children having the peace of mind that the whole family is being well taken care of. Arts and crafts, pony rides, talent shows, kid’s rodeos and even overnight pack trips are just some of the kid’s activities offered. More importantly however, ranches have a way of reconnecting kids and adults with animals and the outdoors.

In addition to diversified activities, Dude Ranches can also supply you with the creature comforts that you have come to expect at fine resorts. Hearty Western cooking with a gourmet flair, fine wine lists, hot tubs, fire places and even massage are beginning to appear at many ranches for guest enjoyment. What really makes a ranch vacation special and unique are the people that you will meet and interact with in an environment that fosters lifelong friendships. Many guests return year after year on the same week each summer to their favorite ranch where the chemistry of family and friends is just right.

The gate is always open and the welcome sign out, so come enjoy the Original Western Vacation at its best.

For more information about all 104 Dude and Guest Ranches in The Dude Ranchers Association please visit our web site at www.duderanch.org or give us a call at 1-866-399-2339.
September 1st, 2011

Tags: Activities, Choosing a Ranch, The Dude Ranchers' Association
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Dude Ranches: Beyond the Stables

August 9th, 2011 by Kim @ The DRA

Anyone that’s been on a dude ranch vacation or retreat knows how much fun they have to offer. From arena games to family rides to pony rides for the kids, there’s truly something out there for everyone. Still, with all of the fun horse-riding activities and “ranch” related things to do, it’s sometimes easy to forget how many other great activities are offered on America’s Guest Ranches. Here is a list of five activities offered on various DRA Dude Ranches that you may not have known existed, but should make sure not to miss…

Western Dancing – While you’re out on the ranch, why not delve into a little dancing? There’s nothing like a sunset hoedown, and there are 51 different DRA certified ranches that offer such shindigs! Next time you’re out on a guest ranch vacation, throw on your dancing shoes and a cowboy hat and let the good times roll.

Zip Line – While riding around on the ground can be fun, zip lining through the sky can bring your trip to a whole new level. Guaranteed fun for both adults and kids, there are dude ranches in Arkansas, Colorado and Idaho that each offer zip lines. Get out there, and get ready to fly!

Fishing – Take your rec time from the stables to the lake for some good old-fashioned dude ranch fishing. There are 87 Dude Ranches that offer fishing activities, so there’s no excuse not to pull out the hook, line and sinker and catch tonight’s dinner!

Yoga – Vacations are all about relaxing, and when it comes to relaxing, there is nothing like a little bit of yoga. Whether you want to start your day with a short session before you head out into the wilderness, or you just want to finish the day off with a nice calming activity, yoga has what you’re looking for. There are fifteen different dude ranches that offer yoga, so if this is something that interests you, you’re in luck!

Archery – When you think of a dude ranch you don’t necessarily think of archery, but there are thirty different DRA ranches that offer such activities. Nothing’s more fun for the family then a little bit of friendly competition, and archery is the perfect outlet for this. Take a break from horses and test your skills and coordination, archery can be more fun than you might expect!

As far as fun non-riding activities offered on dude ranches, this is a great start, but the list is by no means exhaustive. Bird watching, mountain climbing, river rafting and more are all available at guest ranches across the country. Next time you visit a guest ranch, make sure to take advantage of all the activities they have to offer, and you’re sure to have the time of your life.

Tags: Activities, adventure vacation, all-inclusive, Family Vacations, frequently asked questions, Riding, Things to know about Dude Ranch Vacations
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Where will I Stay, What will I Eat and What will I do at a Dude Ranch?

June 14th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

A Dude Ranch Vacation is all about YOU the guest. All member ranches of The Dude Ranchers’ Association are committed to making sure you have the vacation of a life time. With our warm western hospitality, our outstanding horses, great food, accommodations and our spectacular locations, we guarantee a vacation you and your loved ones will not soon forget.. Come experience the Original Western Vacation at its Best.

Where will I Stay?

Imagine yourself sitting in a big overstuffed chair with your favorite book by a crackling fire. Now, imagine glancing out the big picture window to a view that simply takes your breath away. No noisy streets, no high-rise buildings, just you, your book and that spectacular view. Dude Ranch accommodations will vary from ranch to ranch from luxurious to elegant rustic to Cowboy Chic. Whether you are staying in your own private cabin or in a lodge room, rest assured you will be sleeping on comfortable beds, in superbly kept rooms with all the amenities you will need.

What will I Eat?

You will discover that dining at a dude ranch will be one of the most memorable parts of your vacation. Whether you are dining around a camp fire, under the stars, enjoining a pool side barbecue or sitting at an elegant candlelit table, the food is simply amazing. The fare will range from home-style cooking to the finest western cuisine you will find anywhere. Ranches offer freshly baked pastries and breads, fresh fruits and vegetables (often grown right on the ranch) and some of the most delectable desserts you have ever imagined. Your dining experience is truly one of our highest priorities; special dietary needs are always accommodated upon request.

What Will I Do?

The pace at all dude ranches can be as leisurely or as active as you would like it to be. While unlimited Horseback riding is the main focus of all DRA ranches the other activities you can experience are endless. Hiking in National Parks and forests, white water rafting, world class fly fishing on private waters, overnight pack trips, trap shooting, golf, children’s programs, evening entertainment, cattle work and much, much more….There really is something for everyone.

Area Attractions:

Many of our ranches are located next to National Parks, National Forests and monuments. Many are located on or near rivers and lakes all having world class fishing. Some of the many activities included are of course world class horseback riding and fishing, white water rafting, hiking, trap shooting, children’s programs, cattle work, evening entertainment, campfires, star gazing, bird watching and overnight camp trips just to name a few.

Tags: Activities, adventure vacation, Choosing a Ranch, Dude Ranch, Family Vacations, frequently asked questions, Things to know about Dude Ranch Vacations
Posted in Choosing a Ranch, Dude Ranch, Family Vacations, What am I going to do?, What am I going to eat?, Where am I going to stay? | Comments Off

Summer Dude Ranch Specials Near Yellowstone

May 25th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

The UXU Guest Ranch, located 17 miles from the east entrance to the Yellowstone National Park would like to share its outstanding scenery with you this summer. This is a very spacious Ranch situated on the North Fork of the Shoshone River with an abundance of adequate water and open space allowing the UXU Ranch a perfect setting for dining in the open air while overlooking horses eating in a lush green mountain pasture. The UXU Guest Ranch is offering the following specials:

Select weeks in July they will be offering a 10% discount. Please call for details.

For the week of July 3^rd through 9^th, the UXU Ranch will be celebrating July 4^th with festivities in the Rodeo Capital of the World, Cody, Wyoming, at no additional charge. This includes the July 4^th Cody Stampede Rodeo, the Cody Fireworks Display, and Cody Stampede Parade. Please call for availability for this Independence Day special offer.

You can contact the UXU Guest Ranch at (800)373-9027

http://www.uxuranch.com

Tags: Activities, all-inclusive, Holidays on the Ranch, Wyoming Dude Ranch
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Family Dude Ranches in Colorado

May 23rd, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

Colorado dude ranches offer many different styles of family vacations ranging from rustic to luxurious. While the classic dude ranch vacation has always revolved around cattle drives and bunkhouse accommodations, many modern dude ranches also offer family-oriented activities, gourmet meals and lavish accommodations. Most dude ranches are only open during summer, though a handful of Colorado’s dude ranch proprietors offer big-game hunting expeditions during winter for more-adventurous families.

Northern Colorado

The Wind River Christian Dude Ranch (windriverranch.com) welcomes families to embrace their spiritual heritage while experiencing Colorado’s frontier lifestyle. This large, 80-year-old resort is close to Rocky Mountain National Park and offers an abundance of outdoor activities to explore the breathtaking countryside. Wind River offers all-inclusive resort pricing for six-day stays complete with all meals and activities that range from golf to fishing. Core programs at the ranch revolve around morning activities catering to the needs of children, pre-teens and teenagers.

Western Colorado

The San Juan Mountains are one of Colorado’s most rugged and remote areas. This mountain range is home to three wilderness areas with abundant recreation opportunities, historic mining ghost towns and several of the state’s “fourteeners,” mountains over 14,000 feet tall. (read more)

South-Central Colorado

Tarryall River Ranch offers seven-day all-inclusive packages that cater to families who want an active and social vacation. Located within two hours of Denver in rural Park County, Tarryall River Ranch is a small family-owned operation featuring cabin rentals for up to 30 guests, horseback riding, fly-fishing, river-rafting and kid-friendly amenities, including a petting zoo, a jungle gym and special riding programs for teens. During the cooler fall months, Tarryall offers adults-only weeks, bed-and-breakfast accommodations and guided hunting trips.

Eastern Colorado

Eastern Colorado is vastly different from the rugged, mountainous Western Slope region. This windswept area is shaped by rolling prairies, open plains and far-reaching views of the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado Cattle Company and Guest Ranch (coloradocattlecompany.com) is a working guest ranch geared toward adults and older teens who want to perfect the fine art of roping a steer from horseback, as well as participate in arena games like pole-bending and barrel-racing. Shooting games, fishing and wildlife-watching are other popular activities. This rustic ranch has accommodations that can house up to 20 guests at a time and meals are included in the price. (read more)

Tags: colorado dude ranch, Family Vacations
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2011 Fly Fishing Special Packages

May 18th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana is running a great promotion for all of the fishermen and women out there. This is a fantastic example of one of the many activities offered at Dude Ranches across the West! Here are the details:

Get the Helios Rod of your choice free with your Fly Fishing Package!

4 night/ 3 day Fly Fishing Package

Includes 3 days guided fly fishing, 4 nights lodging, all meals, one free Helios rod of your choice, rental gear, flies and transportation to and from the Bozeman, Montana airport.

*Package price based on double occupancy in a small cabin. Each double occupancy booking receives one Helios fly rod valued at $775. Must book before June 30, 2011. Trips available June 12 thru September 25, 2011. Single occupancy rates also available.

7 night/ 6 day Fly Fishing Package

Includes 6 days guided fly fishing, 7 nights lodging, all meals, two free Helios rods of your choice, rental gear, flies and transportation to and from the Bozeman, Montana airport.

*Package price based on double occupancy. Each double occupancy booking for this package receives two Helios rods valued at $1550. Must book before June 30, 2011. Trips available June 12 thru September 25, 2011. Single occupancy rates also available.

Return guests to Lone Mountain Ranch receive an additional 10% off the Fly Fishing Package

For the more adventurous fly fisherman, we also offer day and overnight fishing in Yellowstone National Park and alpine lake fishing in the Spanish Peaks and Lee Metcalf Wilderness. (read more)

Tags: Activities, Dude Ranch, fishing, Montana Dude Ranch
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Horse Vacations

May 16th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

Written by Jennifer Walker | 02 May 2011
Posted in Articles

Dude Ranches/Guest Ranches

Dude ranches, also known as guest ranches, are the classic vacation idea to get the complete western experience. They are generally all-inclusive, with accommodations on-site in cabins or quaint inns and food served in the ranch’s dining room or by the campfire.

Dude ranch vacations are usually free-form rather than structured, allowing guests to participate in whichever activities they like. Choices vary from ranch to ranch, but horseback riding is universal. Guided or independent trail rides can last anywhere from a couple of hours to all day.

Another requisite dude ranch activity is a campfire or cookout. Guests are transported back to the old west, when cowboys sat around the campfire singing songs. Guests will gather around for a delicious cook-out meal and sing songs together—a great social activity.

Some other common dude ranch activities include country dancing, trips to ghost towns or other site-seeing spots, fishing, hunting, swimming and boating. There is something for every member of the family, young and old. (read more)

Tags: Activities, adventure vacation, cowboys, cowgirls, Family Vacations, kids
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Wilderness Pack Trip!

May 2nd, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

North Fork Ranch is offering something new and exciting this year. A real wilderness pack trip! It’s more than just an overnight trip like in the past. You will find yourself enjoying nature first hand for many nights in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Views you have never seen before or imagined! Here are the details:

“Looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Something unlike what you have ever done before? A Colorado Wilderness Pack Trip is waiting for you! A five day, four night, back country, horseback, wilderness camping trip at 10,000 ft. Fill your leisure days with

fishing in alpine streams, hiking nearby peaks and horseback riding. Explore Craig Park in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area as only a few have been able to do. Enjoy the open space, fresh air, ultimate peace & serenity of getting away from it all! A guide and camp host will care for your every need and safety. This exciting adventure is for one family or possibly two couples and only offered three different weeks: July 2nd, July 9th and July 16th, 2011. Contact us for more exciting details.”

Toll Free: 800-843-7895
www.northforkranch.com

Tags: Activities, adventure vacation, colorado dude ranch, fishing
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Corporate Retreat Ideas at Colorado Trails Dude Ranch

April 28th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

Sometimes, all it really takes for your business’ team to come together is getting out of the office and relaxing together. Sometimes, it takes a little bit more than that. Whichever your team needs, you can get them to grow together during a week of mixing business with pleasure at Colorado Trails Dude Ranch.

Meeting Facilities in the Picturesque San Juan Mountains

Outside, your team will get to marvel at the natural beauty of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Your team might take advantage of the lovely setting by taking a hike through our nature trails, or going fly fishing together. Inside, you’ll be treated to our well-staffed meeting rooms perfect for conferences and break-out sessions.

During the spring and fall months, Colorado Trails Dude Ranch is a little quieter than during the summer, when our ranch is packed with families and children. We know, and we think you’ll agree, that family groups and business groups don’t always mix well together, which is why we make parts of our off-season adults-only time for our corporate retreats.

Team Building Activities at Colorado Trails Dude Ranch

Ever tried a low-ropes course for team building? Well, we can offer your team one better: How about a horse ropes course?

We’ve gotten creative when it comes to our corporate retreats and team building activities. Instead of sending you out to jump over logs and onto platforms, or swing on a rope over an imaginary canyon, our team building obstacle courses are all performed on horseback. Don’t worry – your team need not be made up of expert equestrians to enjoy our horseback team building activities; we can adjust the level of the activity to suit the experience of the riders.

One game that corporate teams at the dude ranch find especially fun, and which definitely requires all members of the team to work together, is “Cow Soccer”. Imagine two groups of business people facing off for a soccer match, except instead of using a soccer ball, you’re herding a cow towards a goal on horseback. A challenging activity, the riders must work with their horses (the first team), along with their colleagues (the second team), and they must “score” before the opposing team does in order to win. Cow Soccer requires all the skills that make business people successful: planning, execution, course correction, flexibility, and, of course, lots of teamwork.

Bring Your Own Facilitator or Let Us Help

Some groups choose to bring their own retreat facilitator with them to the dude ranch to plan the team building activities and debrief the team afterward. Alternatively, we can help your group to plan a week of fun events that will represent the perfect blend between productive business trips and fun adventure trips. To bounce some ideas (or cows) around about our corporate retreats, give us a call today.

Tags: Activities, colorado dude ranch, Corporate Retreat, cowboys, cowgirls, Dude Ranch
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Modern Dude Ranches Offer Specialty Weeks and Clinics

April 20th, 2011 by Colleen @ The DRA

CODY, Wyo. – Looking for a new way to experience an American classic this summer? Well, the Dude Ranchers’ Association’s member ranches have the solution. Modern dude ranches offer numerous specialty weeks and clinics which can help create one-of-a-kind vacations.

Today dude ranches have expanded to offer a range of specialty weeks which may be centered on improving an artistic skill or an excuse to enjoy a girlfriend getaway. Here are a few special weeks available this summer:

o “Visions of Yellowstone” at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch

o “Literature and Landscape of the Horse” at Vee Bar Guest Ranch

o “Women’s Week” at Rocking Z Guest Ranch

o “Advanced Riders Week” at Lazy E-L Guest Ranch

o “Montana Cowgirl Quilt Retreat” at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

o “Cowgirl Bootcamp” at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

o “Wine Tasting Weeks” at Red Horse Mountain Ranch

o “Photo Boot Camp” at White Stallion Ranch

o “Kids in the Kitchen Weeks” at Medicine Bow Lodge

o “Native American Week” at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

For the cowboy and cowgirl in all of us, other ranches provide horse clinics:

o 7D Ranch teaches group Horsemanship Clinics June 19-26.

o Homeplace Ranch is offering ‘Horse and Personal Awareness’ weekends through June

o Vee Bar Guest Ranch will be having a ‘Hands on Horse Week’ in August

To make a ranch vacation possible for all budgets, many ranches are also offering special discounts early in the season. Sample specials include:

o Three Bars Cattle and Guest Ranch has a 45% discount for their 6-night Riding Package during the week of June 5^th.

o The Hideout Lodge and Guest Ranch is offering 3-night stays during the week of June 12^th.

o Zapata Ranch is offering $150 off a special branding week in mid May.

o Rocking Z Guest Ranch has a 15% off special for June 1-19.

First formed in 1926, the Dude Ranchers’ Association has over 100 member ranches and 150 associate members focused in the western U.S. and Canada. Members must participate in a rigorous two year inspection and approval process to join. As the governing body for the west’s dude ranch industry, the DRA strives to maintain the highest standards of quality in areas from accommodations to horsemanship.

Tags: Activities, adventure vacation, cowboys, cowgirls, Horses, kids, Specialty Weeks
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