Press Release, Cody, Wyoming
On the verge of its 80th anniversary, The Dude Ranchers' Association continues its heritage of assuring a quality and authentic dude ranch experience.
Ever since the late 1800s, working ranches have opened their doors to friends and families and shown them what Western hospitality is all about. The Dude Ranchers' Association dates to the birth of an organized group of dude ranches in Montana and Wyoming that began accepting paying visitors as a normal part of their operations.
The first organizational gathering of these dude-ranch pioneers occurred in Bozeman, Mont., in 1926 at the urging of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which saw the dude ranches of the area as natural partners in the burgeoning tourism industry of the West. This meeting of ranchers from the Yellowstone area led to the formation of The Dude Ranchers' Association, currently headquartered in Cody, Wyo.
Since its inception eight decades ago, The Dude Ranchers' Association has overseen quality control for its industry and provided invaluable assistance in pointing guests toward a suitable ranch. The screening process to become a DRA member is rigorous and demanding, including references from guests, on-site inspections, and a probationary period for new members of at least a year.
Each of the association's 107 member ranches across the western United States and Canada have passed its tests for safety, proper care of horses and equipment, clean rooms in good repair, and dedication to the preservation of the traditional dude ranch experience.
The Dude Ranchers' Association publishes a free directory of member ranches, neatly organized to help guests narrow down their vacation options. Trip planning information is also available online, and telephone inquiries are encouraged. For more information, call 307-587-2339, visit www.duderanch.org , or email info@duderanch.org .
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