5 Top Guest Ranch Vacations

Guest and dude ranch vacations offer something for everyone in your tribe. From horseback riding to fly fishing to skeet shooting, these ranches offer plenty of activities for travelers of all ages, making them perfect for couples, friends, families, and multi-generation trips. Beyond the activities, my luxury ranch partners have spas, gourmet dining, and five-star accommodations so you have the best of both worlds.

Dunton Hot Springs

Just outside Telluride, this all-inclusive resort is a romantic mining ghost town nestled in an alpine valley. Butch Cassidy was just one of the many people that passed through Dunton and you can find his name among the etchings in the saloon’s original bar. The 13 rustic log cabins are all luxuriously unique with heated slate floors and handpicked antiques. Guests can enjoy a soak in the mineral rich hot springs after a trail ride and enjoy a gourmet meal with wine from the resort’s vineyard.

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve

The buffalo roam and the deer and antelope play in the 550,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness in this majestic wilderness located in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Climates range from high desert to snowcapped alpine tundra. Fishing enthusiasts can choose from 19 lakes and over 30 miles of streams. The diverse landscape is home to elk, bison, black bears, and mountain lions. Hiking, archery, disc golf, mountain biking, horseback riding, shooting sports, and wildlife tours are sure to work up an appetite for the three included gourmet meals each day.

Brush Creek Ranch

An all-inclusive luxury working cattle ranch situated in the heart of Wyoming’s Platte River Valley, guests can immerse themselves in the true spirit of the West on its 30,000 unspoiled acres. The ranch is a perfect family vacation in winter with skiing and snowboarding, ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling along with the traditional ranch activities. Executive chef Drew Anderson incorporates fresh produce from the 20,000 square foot greenhouse, ensuring true farm-to-table fare.

The Ranch at Rock Creek

An authentic cowboy experience coupled with unparalleled service make this a one-of-a-kind ranch vacation. Situated on 6600 acres of gorgeous Montana wilderness, the ranch is 25 minutes outside of Philipsburg. Choose a morning activity and afternoon activity, included in the rate. From horseback riding, archery, shooting sports, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and more, there is an activity that will please every member of your family. A Relais & Chateaux property, dining is exquisite and there’s a chef’s dinner a few times per week. If visiting during warmer months, book a luxury tent right next to the creek.

Triple Creek Ranch

This adults only all-inclusive ranch is nestled among majestic Ponderosa Pines in Montana’ Bitterroot Mountains. Exquisite cuisine, excellent wine, five-star service, and a plethora of included experiences are perfect for romance or a friends’ getaway at this Relais & Chateaux property. Enjoy dog-sledding, snowshoeing, horseback riding, snow biking, fishing, archery, and frontier skills.
Ranch vacations are the ideal mix of adventure and luxury and appeal to travelers who want adventure and luxury rolled into one.

Helen Jordan is the owner of Jordan Luxury Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a member of Virtuoso. She can be reached at 602-692-9379 or [email protected].