At Burnt Well Guest Ranch our authentic “old west” cattle drives are a necessary part of ranch life.  We are actually doing a job, not just moving cows in the name of a cattle drive.

A Day on the Range

We camp out on the trail at least three nights, sometimes four or five.  We provide you with a “cowboy” bedroll (a three inch mattress made up with sheets & blankets and rolled in a tarp).   We have “cowboy” teepees in case of inclement weather.  There are also cots for those who are a little squeamish about being right on the ground. We usually make between 10 and 15 miles a day with the cattle and are in the saddle between 5-10 hours a day. We start early, driving cattle by sun up, and will try to be at camp by early afternoon.

The hot breakfasts and suppers are cooked Dutch oven style and over the campfire while out on the trail.  There is always plenty to eat.  Patricia says, “If you leave Burnt Well hungry it’s your fault!” After breakfast, you pack your lunch for the day, choosing from a wide variety of choices along with a delicious wrap made with the “extra Chesser natural beef”, from supper the night before.

Nightly campfires, a blanket of twinkling stars on a New Mexico black velvet sky and, if you can get Patricia away from her camp kitchen, you could enjoy an evening of sweet fiddle music.  Since we are out for the duration of the drive, actually doing a job, and living and eating in the elements, the conditions can sometimes be unpleasant.  Therefore, our authentic “old west style” cattle drives are adult only.  They are for adventurous adults with plenty of stick-to-itiveness!  The stuff memories and bucket lists are made of!

Spring Cattle Drives (Old West Style)

The 2011 Spring Cattle Drive Dates will be Wednesday, April 27 – Tuesday, May 3

Fall Cattle Drives (Old West Style)

Our fall drives will be October 2 – 8, 2011.

Get on our email cattle drive list for updates. Just fill out our contact form and put “cattle drive” in the message section