Wild West Meets the Luxe Life at These Iconic Ranches

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These nine properties are the 2026 winners of the Where to Stay: Ranch Stays category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Brush Creek Ranch

Courtesy of Brush Creek Ranch

Housed on 30,000 acres in Wyoming’s Platte River Valley, this ultra-private collection of historic guest ranches built on the original 1884 homestead preserves its Western character while delivering modern comfort. World-class fly fishing, a 600-acre private ski mountain, and a sustainable seed-to-table farm mean four-season immersion in idyllic ranch living.

Alisal Ranch

Courtesy of Alisal Ranch

If you want a taste of the cowboy life in SoCal, head up to this ranch just outside Solvang, where trail rides end in the most delicious pancakes you’ve ever had, followed by serenades from a local wrangler. There’s always interesting programming with its events and collaborations, and though only a few hours from L.A., it might as well be a world apart.

Dawn Ranch

Courtesy of Dawn Ranch

Twenty-two-acre Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California, offers a dreamy getaway in the woods, with its cozy cabins, glamping tents, and access to the Russian River. Extensive programming includes scent-making classes, guided foraging, and treatments at The Spa at Dawn Ranch. The Lodge at Dawn Ranch, led by Chef Fernando Trocca, serves a vegetable-forward menu with craft cocktails. Amenities like Fender guitars and Swarovski binoculars make for a delightful rustic luxe reset.

Dude Ranchers’ Association Member Dude Ranches

Courtesy of Dude Ranchers’ Association, Bull Hill Guest Ranch, WA

For a century, the Dude Ranchers’ Association has helped travelers experience the landscapes, traditions, and hospitality that define the American West. From horseback riding and fly fishing to hearty meals and wide-open skies, its member ranches offer an authentic escape where adventure and connection come naturally.

NewTree Ranch

Courtesy of NewTree Ranch

Set on 120 acres just outside Healdsburg, NewTree Ranch offers a distinctive wine country escape where regenerative farming, wellness, and luxury hospitality intersect. Thoughtfully designed experiences, beautiful natural surroundings, and a deep commitment to stewardship create the kind of restorative retreat that encourages guests to slow down, reconnect, and settle into the rhythms of the land.

Rancho de los Caballeros

Courtesy of Rancho de los Caballeros

For nearly 80 years, Rancho de los Caballeros has offered an authentic taste of the Arizona West, where days are spent riding horseback through saguaro-dotted desert, golfing beneath mountain vistas, or unwinding at the spa. Recent updates bring fresh energy to this beloved ranch while preserving the relaxed hospitality and sense of place that have long made it a favorite escape.

Tumbling River Ranch

Courtesy of Tumbling River Ranch

Perched at 9,200 feet in Pike National Forest just 60 miles from Denver, this working family ranch has welcomed adventurers since 1946. Fly fishing at nearby Boxwood Gulch yields massive trout (34-inchers are common), and days unfold with horseback rides to ghost towns, white-water rafting, and yoga by the river. It’s the rare unfussy all-inclusive where multigenerational families gather, home-cooked meals anchor the day, and the ranch owners still live on-site.

Brasada Ranch

Courtesy of Brasada Ranch

Just east of Bend, Oregon, Brasada Ranch is an idyllic quiet luxury ranch in Central Oregon. The resort is a modern high-desert, luxury retreat offering stunning views, upscale accommodations, farm-to-table dining, and a wide range of outdoor activities in the serene Cascade Mountains. A site of transcendent moments and memories, Brasada Ranch sits on 1,800 acres, 900 of which are totally protected with panoramic views of the Cascade Range. Guests are invited to explore untamed wilderness, indulge in seasonal experiences, or simply surrender to tranquility and discover true awe in the face of nature. At Brasada Ranch, untamed natural beauty collides with luxury appointments and curated experiences in the Oregon high desert.

Sage Lodge

Courtesy of Sage Lodge

Nestled on the idyllic banks of the Yellowstone River and less than 35 minutes away from Yellowstone National Park, Sage Lodge offers outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a rejuvenating escape from the everyday a quintessential yet luxurious Montana getaway. Awarded the prestigious Michelin 3 Keys distinction by Michelin Guide in 2024 and 2025, the property boasts 50 guestrooms, including a 34-room lodge and four standalone ranch houses, each with four guestrooms and communal dining and living spaces. Robust amenities abound, with an outdoor hot tub overlooking the ruggedly beautiful Emigrant Peak, a newly renovated full-service spa, including updated treatment rooms and wellness spaces, two onsite restaurants, and seasonal programming. Unrivaled activities offered include a private stocked casting pond, fly-fishing lessons, guided fly-fishing trips, guided Yellowstone tours, hiking and biking trails, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and much more, making Sage Lodge the ideal year-round destination for any traveler.