Dude Ranch Suggestions

[rockonxox]

I am wanting to find a dude ranch to visit with my mom and aunt in the next year or two (2019-2020). I had a wonderful experience at Spear-O-Wigwam in Sheridan, WY - but they have unfortunately closed the dude ranch and it is now part of a college. I would like to find something similar:

• mountain top is the highest ranked “want”, this was the major draw of Spear-O (or at least ability to ride into the mountains)
• secluded, I don’t care if cell phones work
• ability for more advanced riders to go separately (with or without trail guide is fine) at least on a couple occasions
• ranch activities (Spear-O was smaller so the guests and ranch hands were close and did a lot of stuff together - we would play volleyball, RISK board game night, always ranch meals around one big table, and various other activities in the evening)
• I don’t need close proximity to a city. I want to get away from all that! I prefer scenery like Wyoming or Montana - lots of green and mountains.

I searched previous posts on here and the most recent was 2016. One of the suggestions was R Lazy S Ranch which looks like it might be fitting… and it has a white water float trip which my aunt and I would love to do. Another was The Hideout that looks interesting as well. I’d love to participate in a cattle drive (I didn’t get to do that at Spear-O). Has anyone gone there recently and if so how was it/does it match what I’m interested in? I am looking through the dude ranch search that was posted in the 2016 post as well, but I’m also interested in your personal experiences and suggestions.

And on a side note… when I went to Spear-O I was younger and my body didn’t cry at the thought of wearing jeans while riding all day. Now I get jean rubs and ouch, not fun for a week long riding trip. What do you guys end up wearing for trips like these? I don’t own full chaps any more or I’d 100% rock those. Have you tried the jean like riding pants and do they work better than regular jeans? Best brands for all day riding?

[ParadoxFarm]

Oh, it sounds like fun!! I want to come.

I trail ride now in boot-cut breeches. I have a few brands, Ovation, etc. So they sort of look more like jeans, but not really. But they are more comfy than jeans by far! http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Bootc…-EBOOTCUT.html If you get blue, it’s almost passable. I am liking the looks of those blue Kerrits!

[spurgirl]

You may have seen the previous posts I made about the Hideout, I’ve made posts here several times, we are going again in September-4th time in 4 years now now!! It has all of your boxes checked-activities there beside riding are the lap pool-new this year, I hope!, a pool table, board games, places to walk after dinner…there is also fly fishing, skeet shooting, not sure if they still do off road Jeep trips. Check out their web site.

They do cattle work 2X week, we have driven the herd up to 10,000 ft. Antelope Mt. to salt licks the wranglers brought up, moved cows and calves down to the holding pens, separated cows with calves/cows that didn’t “take”, etc., etc…depends on the time of year what you do. I suggest going in Sept., hot dry days, cool nights, just awesome!

They evaluate your riding the first day, after that, you go with people who are of your ability. Last year we headed out first thing-DH and I, one other return guest, and one wrangler. We rode in the mountains for over 6 hours. Wonderful!

…which brings me to riding jeans. I either bring Wrangler Q Baby jeans, or Ariat jeans-seams are flat, made for riding, never had any issues. But, I always pack Body Glide-get it at outdoor stores, if you think you’re getting-or going to rub, apply that. Keeps you from getting chafed. I also wear chinks, they have them there to rent for the week if you don’t have your own.

We book in Jan.-Feb. for September-they only take 25 people a week, so they fill up quick. PM me with any questions if you like.

[ktm_here]

i cant recommend Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana enough. It’s secluded–6 miles down a dirt road. No cell phone service. Wifi in the main lodge, but in the cabins, nothing. Not a single TV on the entire property (which is 16,000 acres).

Meals served in the main lodge, activities up the wazoo–riding, hiking, yoga, fishing, clay shooting, swimming, tours of Yellowstone National Park.

The riding is the main focus–there is plenty of opportunity for advanced riders to go gallop up the mountains. They have working weekends–where they do cattle drives, gathering etc.

Check out http://www.mountainsky.com/

it is one of the most magical places. I go back every year.

[NC001]

@spurgirl

You may have seen the previous posts I made about the Hideout, I’ve made posts here several times, we are going again in September-4th time in 4 years now now!! It has all of your boxes checked-activities there beside riding are the lap pool-new this year, I hope!, a pool table, board games, places to walk after dinner…there is also fly fishing, skeet shooting, not sure if they still do off road Jeep trips. Check out their web site.

.

Can you provide a link? What state is it in? thanks!

[rockonxox]

http://thehideout.com/ is in Shell, WY. It is ranked high on the list that I’ve created so far.

Thank you so much for all of the recommendations. I am so excited to plan this trip. For my birthday this year I’m planning on going on a local cattle drive at the Flying W Ranch (only 2 hours away and a one day event) to get my fix while I save for the big trip next year.

[Amymcree]

4UR Ranch in Creed, CO. Amazing place.

[Sonesta]

Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming. Wonderful place. Great people. Www.bitterrootranch.com

[walkinthewalk]

Here’s the link to the RFD-TV series “Debbie Dunnings Dude Ranch Roundup”. If you cursor down the opening page, there is a list of places she has visited.

don’t pay attention to how she dresses, lol. She used to be on Tool Time. She does give a a great explanation of all the places she visits, most of which are out west.

you might find a ranch that suits you and your mom — best of luck:)

http://www.rfdtv.com/story/36151913/debbe-dunnings-dude-ranch-round-up#.Wwsh4Eo8KrU

[stb]

Rainbow Trout Ranch. It’s in the mountains of Colorado. They people who own and run it are horse people who raise and train roping horses in the off season. If you know how to ride they will give you a great mount and lots of latitude. Awesome place. It was featured on that Debbie Dunning show in the past, so you may want to check that out.

[NancyM]

Our area is famous for guest ranches. Canadian dollar. All are quite remote, and offer riding.

Three of them are:

1. Echo Valley Ranch- they have an airstrip. Very fancy 5* and expensive. Guests from all over the world fly in. You can drive in too (wave as you pass by our farm). On the plateau above where I live. Very scenic.

2. Big Bar Ranch- I haven’t been here, just driven by, older, more rustic, people seem to enjoy it. Same area as EVR.

3. Flying U Ranch- float plane destination. On Green Lake.

[rockonxox]

We usually drive to cut out the expense of flights, but those places do look lovely and I miss living in Canada! I’d love to go back soon.

[Halfpasser11]

Diamond D Ranch - Stanley, Id. I worked there for many years as a wrangler, PM me for more information or you can check out their website.

[Foxglove]

I second Bitterroot Ranch in DuBois WYO --has what you are specifically looking for.

[apprider]

I’ve been to the Hideout, and had a fantastic time. The horses were well cared for, lodging very nice, excellent food, friendly staff and amazing scenery. They take you out in trailers so you don’t have to ride from the ranch every day and get a wide variety of places to ride.

[Wirt]

@rockonxox

I am wanting to find a dude ranch to visit with my mom and aunt in the next year or two (2019-2020). I had a wonderful experience at Spear-O-Wigwam in Sheridan, WY - but they have unfortunately closed the dude ranch and it is now part of a college. I would like to find something similar:

• mountain top is the highest ranked “want”, this was the major draw of Spear-O (or at least ability to ride into the mountains)
• secluded, I don’t care if cell phones work
• ability for more advanced riders to go separately (with or without trail guide is fine) at least on a couple occasions
• ranch activities (Spear-O was smaller so the guests and ranch hands were close and did a lot of stuff together - we would play volleyball, RISK board game night, always ranch meals around one big table, and various other activities in the evening)
• I don’t need close proximity to a city. I want to get away from all that! I prefer scenery like Wyoming or Montana - lots of green and mountains.

I searched previous posts on here and the most recent was 2016. One of the suggestions was R Lazy S Ranch which looks like it might be fitting… and it has a white water float trip which my aunt and I would love to do. Another was The Hideout that looks interesting as well. I’d love to participate in a cattle drive (I didn’t get to do that at Spear-O). Has anyone gone there recently and if so how was it/does it match what I’m interested in? I am looking through the dude ranch search that was posted in the 2016 post as well, but I’m also interested in your personal experiences and suggestions.

And on a side note… when I went to Spear-O I was younger and my body didn’t cry at the thought of wearing jeans while riding all day. Now I get jean rubs and ouch, not fun for a week long riding trip. What do you guys end up wearing for trips like these? I don’t own full chaps any more or I’d 100% rock those. Have you tried the jean like riding pants and do they work better than regular jeans? Best brands for all day riding?

Look up Coffee Creek Ranch in California
or Muir Trail Ranch

[xeroxchick]

Let me just say that over four hours in a western saddle warrants a sheepskin pad for you! Easy to pack. I’ve had big egg sized lumps on my seat bones (and I’m used to five hours hunting in my own comfy Antares)

[Saskatoonian]

Following!

[lesson_junkie]

Several years ago DH and I spent 5 days at TA Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming. We were there at the end of the season and were the only guests. They let me bring my English saddle, and after a couple of rides, turned me loose on the place-just Crackerjack, pronghorns, jack rabbits and me-it was great! The food was super, fantastic scenery, the cabin comfortable, I’d love to go back. They did tell me our cabin was haunted, and it scared the bejesus out of me, but that was part of the fun, too.