Odd Question - Dude / Guest Ranch ?

[tmocker]

I know this question is out of place here, but I trust people on this board. Everyone here has helped to make our last Disney cruise a vacation to remember.

We're thinking of trying a dude / guest ranch before our next cruise. I don't even know where to begin.

Has anyone here ever gone on a week-long ranch vacation? Any ideas on how I find one? About a zillion come up when I search so I'm not sure how to narrow the field. I'm thinking the mountains somewhere but don't have really specific ideas other than wanting a great children's program like the Oceaneer's Lab!

Thanks.

 

[plutojudy]

We spent three week-long dude ranch vacations in Colorado and loved every minute of it. There is a Colorado Dude Ranch Association. Their brochure lists a lot of information. Wish I could help you with more information but it was a long time ago. The place we stayed at is now a private residence. It was the Lazy H Ranch in Allenspark. Not far from Rocky Mountain National Park. It was great.
Come to think of it, it was a lot like a cruise, meals included, kid programs, and beautiful scenery.

 

[hydster]

We had some friends come to Utah once and they did this Dude Ranch

http://www.guestranches.com/rockingc/

They have a supervised kids club, paintball, bb gun shooting, skeet shooting, gold panning, trout fishing and guarantee that there is no wasted time..something is going on all the time. Our friends kids LOVED the activities planned for them. They do all kinds of things like a jail break, rodeo's where they have a clown and give a video at the end, they do dutch oven cooking, bbq's, and go on a cattle drive where you get to whistle and try to get them in the corral.

This ranch is nestled in 1.2 million acres of National Forrest. I know up in that area (about an hour outside of SLC) they have seen bobcats, racoons, deer, elk, moose,bald eagles and sometimes bears.

HTH
Heidi

 

[CGC33A]

There is a dude ranch in Lake Wales FL, about an hour south of Disney World. I think the name is Circle F Dude Ranch. More info at www.circle-f-duderanch.com (saw an add inthe summer camps section of the Orlando newspaper). I don't know anything about it other than the location would be great just before a cruise.

 

[PhotoLisa]

We did an almost week-long dude ranch vacation in July. We had a blast!!!!

Horseback rides everyday!!!

This one is north of San Antonio in Bandera, Texas.

Lisa

http://mayanranch.com

 

[tmocker]

Thanks for the information. I hope to do some more research and find a place as great as the Disney Magic - yeah, good luck there!

Thanks again.

 

[pooh luver]

My DS and I have done a dude ranch the past two summers and are going again this summer to a ranch in Northern California called Hunewill. They are on line with all their information. This is no frills meaning the kids all get together during the day without structured activity which is okay since they are on a horse at least 5 hours a day. Every evening they have an organized activity that is family oriented. I think what I really like is there is no TV, computers, or even clocks(unless you bring your own). The incredible part is that there is usually the opportunity to herd cows. Five of us did 365 head with several bulls one afternoon. Nothing like it. My DS has made friends that go from year to year and has trouble deciding if he likes the DC better or the ranch.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

I am just seconding checking out the Colorado Dude Ranch Association. Years ago I went on a dude ranch vacation in July for a week, and ended up going back at the end of August to work for the ranch when their college help left! It's wonderful in the Rockies. The nice thing is these vacations are inclusive and offer lots of activites (or you can decide to do nothing at all but enjoy your surroundings) so you aren't nickeled and dimed to death.
Kathy

 

[cotomom]

I can third the Co Dude Ranch Association. We went to Wilderness Trails Ranch outside of Durango and it was fantastic!

 

[Dodie]

Actually, ask me next month! We're leaving on March 20th to spend five nights at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, AZ. We've talked about doing the dude ranch thing for 10 years - but kept spending our vacation dollars on Disney trips. This year (in less than two weeks) it's REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN!

www.tvgr.com