Dude, Where’s My Ranch? These Getaways Reinvent the Iconic Western Vacation
These recently opened ranch retreats offer amenities for the new generation.
Stay at Ranchlands’ Zapata location and ride through Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park. Photo Courtesy of Avery Sass/Ranchlands.
There’s a big difference between a dude ranch and a working cattle ranch, and this new generation of ranches is bringing a modern touch to a storied Western tradition.
Ranchlands
Courtesy of Wes Walker/Ranchlands
This Colorado agricultural business operates large-scale cattle and bison ranches in addition to hospitality stays focused on preserving the legacy of ranching in the American West. They also have a mercantile with expertly crafted leatherworks. Guests who stay on-site can learn time-honored crafts like natural dyeing, all of which are geared toward preserving native grasslands while creating meaningful experiences.
Lone Mountain Ranch
Courtesy of Lone Mountain Ranch
This petite resort housed inside a restored 1915 homestead in Big Sky, Montana, hosts rodeos and Western concerts for both guests and locals in the northern Rockies. The property offers 53 miles of trails, access to Yellowstone National Park, excellent fly fishing, and the full-service farm-to-table Horn & Cantle restaurant and saloon.
Alisal Ranch
Teal Thompson
Situated on 10,500 acres in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, this historic ranch hosts regular wellness retreats, including one offering an equine therapy program, where guests explore the human-horse connection. Guests experience multiple sessions that build on each other, walking away with new inter- and intrapersonal skills.
