Mondays are for dreaming of… a dude ranch
Maybe I have been cooped up in the house too long, but lately I have been dreaming of wide open spaces. In a conversation with my father recently, he recounted that in his youth during the summer he and his sister used to ride their horses out to the local pool for swimming lessons. This was in the same neighborhood where I grew up, one that has been filled with streets and homes for as long as I can remember. When our family gets out to nature, it’s often a destination surrounded by mountains, forests, or the ocean. I wonder what it would be like to see nothing but blowing grass for miles and miles, or to trust a horse to lead you on a trail you’ve never been on, or to look up at the sky at night and see more stars than you’ve ever seen before at one time. It occurred to me that what I’m craving might be … a dude ranch. This may seem quite funny to those friends who know that I cringe at country music and can hardly get my dog to walk in one direction, no less a horse. Still, I thought it worth researching the three dude ranches closest to me here in northern California and to share what I have found. If anyone has had any experiences on a dude ranch, I’d love to hear your stories.
Greenhorn Creek Ranch, Quincy, CA.
Activities: This ranch advertises that it “offers a lot of riding with progressive instruction to develop your riding skills and confidence”. There are also horse-drawn wagon rides, trail rides, swimming, fishing, exploring, and rodeo games.
Lodging: The main lodge has about ten rooms, and additionally there are 16 one- and two-bedroom cabins. During the summer, stays are for a week (some partial weeks are available). During spring (May 2nd – June 12) you are invited to stay a few days or several weeks. I am unclear how long their fall season is. It appears this season also offers flexible dates to stay and opportunities for large groups. On their posted weekly activities there is one event especially for kids, but otherwise I don’t see on their website anything designated specifically for the younger crowd. They are dog-friendly.
Highland Ranch, Philo, CA
Activities: Fishing, boating, trail riding, clay pigeon shooting, yoga classes and massage, tennis and other outdoor sports. The ranch borders Hendy Woods State Park, an old-growth redwood forest along the Navarro River, which additionally offers hiking and mountain biking trails. They advertise a wide variety of trails and that guests can expect at least one, often two trail rides each day. For kids there are pony rides, frog catching, and fruit picking. Arts and crafts materials, ping pong tables, and board games are also available. Children under eight are invited on special rides led by a wrangler in place of trail rides.
Lodging: Eight guest cabins offer extra long king or queen beds and a wood-burning fireplace. Cribs and rollaways are available. Though their website didn’t state directly how many people each cabin can accomodate, there is a link to see a 360 degree tour. From this video you can view a cabin that has two bedrooms, one with a king and one with a twin bunk. They look rather spacious. They are dog-friendly and guest horse-friendly.
Hunewill Guest Ranch, Bridgeport, CA
Activities: Horseback riding is the main attraction. Aside from the grassy pasture ride, other horseback activities include splash rides, a breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course, and games on horseback. Yes, you did read “moving cattle”, as in City Slickers. Hunewill Ranch is a working cattle ranch and guests get to move cattle throughout their season. However, during a few special weeks cattle work is offered as the featured activity. For kids six and under there is a Buckeroo Ride program offered during the two trail ride time periods (at 9am and 2pm). This includes a staff-led horseback ride for kids able to ride, games, picnics on the lawn, visits to the ranch bakery, and strolls to see ranch animals. Ping-pong, horseshoes, and volleyball are also available.
Lodging: Cabins have two connecting rooms, each room has a queen and a twin. No pets allowed.
From what I have read, dude ranches struggle with the balance between staying rustic and the competition from resorts and spas. Consequently, there seems to be a wide variety of services that are offered at dude ranches. Some promote their intimate cowboy feel while others highlight some of their luxuries that vacationers crave. Because there is so much variation between ranches, it seems particularly important if you are planning your own dude ranch stay, to be clear about what you want out of your vacation. Whether it’s to strengthen your horse-back riding skills or to casually explore mother nature via horse, it is sure to be an experience you may never forget.
This is part of the Mondays are for Dreaming series hosted by Mara at Mother of All Trips.
lead photo credit: buckandspurs.com
Thanks for the roundup of dude ranches (ha!). I’ve wanted to take a girlfriend’s trip to one for quite a while. With or without kids, I think we’d opt for the intimate cowboy experience & leave the spa trip for another time.
You know, I’ve never thought of doing a vacation like this – although my youngest loves horses. I think he may be the only one though.
I could definitely see why these places would struggle against the nice-ification of everything!
@Debi: I can definately see separating the dude ranch experience from a spa retreat. There’s also something to be said for a little luxury after working so hard on vacation.
@Mara: Sometimes I wish I could take separate vacations with family members, especially when they are really into something. My niece is SO into horses. She’d love this!
Oh ya! Ever since seeing the movie “City Slickers” I thought it would be a gas to visit a Dude Ranch. And now that I follow The Pioneer Woman food blog, she has me sold. What’s funny is, I’m not into sleeping on the ground and I’m scared to ride a horse. Hmm.
I was intrigued also by Dude Ranches earlier this year when I saw the “Dude Ranchers Association” on twitter! I wrote them for a recommendation in Northern California, and they gave me the Coffee Creek Ranch. We are talking to them now about dates & activities. Will report back if we get anything planned. Thanks for the additional locations.
I grew up right near the ranch you list in Quincy, CA, so that made me smile! We’ll be vacationing a few days in that area this summer (although not at a dude ranch) and I’ll be sure to post some reviews!
@ Lorrain and Amy: Please let me know what your experiences are. I’d love to hear more!
Thank You for sharing this one!
There are a ton of great dude and guest ranches out there, and they run the gamut from “sleeping on the ground” to full-on glamorous luxury, like you’re staying with Ted Turner or Robert Redford! Don’t think you have to rough it to enjoy the wild west. My favorite one has four-course gourmet meals, feather beds, a fancy arena and certified lesson instructors (AND challenging mountain trail rides) plus more activities than you could dream up, and only 25 people! It’s in Colorado, though- a shout out to Smith Fork Ranch!
Thanks for the info on Colorado dude ranche. I’m sure the scenery would be incredible as well!