With horses to ride, fish to catch, and hearty cowboy meals to devour, there’s no time for screens on a dude ranch vacation—and for many families, that’s a good thing. Set in breathtaking natural landscapes with all-inclusive convenience, North America’a best dude ranches are perfect for family vacations and multigenerational trips. Some are year-round and others are seasonal, but these guest ranches all offer fresh air, scenic horseback adventures, and memories to cherish. Here are the top guest ranches across the U.S. and Canada.
Why you can trust these picks: Read FamilyVacationist’s methodology for selecting and recommending vacation destinations and hotels.
1. C Lazy U Ranch
Granby, Colorado
If you’ve ever considered a dude ranch vacation, chances are you’ve heard of C Lazy U Ranch. Close to Rocky Mountain National Park, this all-inclusive guest ranch has everything from classic ranch activities like trail rides to surprising options such as a ropes course and zip line. Seasonal children’s programming is available for ages three to 17. Most of the ranch’s 38 private guest cabins have stone fireplaces and many come with bunk beds.
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2. Three Bars Guest Ranch
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
The 35,000-acre Three Bars Ranch in Canada’s Valley of a Thousand Peaks near Banff offers a world-class horse program, rafting trips, fly fishing, hiking, biking, skeet shooting, and evening events perfect for families. Additional amenities include a heated indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, tennis court, gym, and petting zoo. Its intimate yet sociable setting makes it ideal for weeklong stays filled with adventure.
3. Tanque Verde Ranch
Tucson, Arizona
At Tanque Verde Ranch, kids are split by age group into the Daily Kids Program, which is covered in the all-inclusive rate and includes activities like horseback riding, swimming, and arts and crafts. Hiking, mountain biking, trail rides, and the spa are option for all ages. The Breakfast Ride and the Cowboy Cookout are two unique dining experiences the whole family will love.
4. Paradise Guest Ranch
Buffalo, Wyoming
The century-old Paradise Guest Ranch offers weeklong family stays during the summer and adult-exclusive weeks when the kids go back to school. Fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, archery, and outdoor evening programs under the stars are among the top activities here. Cabins are rustically elegant and come with one to four bedrooms. Three meals a day are served in the dining hall, and the French Creek Saloon hosts an array of all-ages activities.
5. Greenhorn Ranch
Quincy, California
At Greenhorn Ranch in California’s “Lost Sierras” near Reno, the focus is on horseback riding for all skill levels, including loping for adventurous riders. Beginners will enjoy guided trail rides featuring local history. Kids ages three to 11 can partake in fishing, archery, and crafts, while evenings bring family-friendly fun like movie nights and campfire s’mores. Accommodations include 16 rustic cabins, 12 lodge rooms, and a refurbished airstream. The all-inclusive ranch serves hearty meals with local ingredients.
6. Rainbow Trout Ranch
Antonito, Colorado
Surrounded by 600 acres of national forest, Colorado’s Rainbow Trout Ranch has 16 cozy log cabins with fireplaces, accommodating one to eight guests. At its heart is a magnificent wooden lodge—the second-largest west of the Mississippi—with a sprawling wraparound deck overlooking horse pastures and corrals. The serene setting, where only the wind whispers through the pines, makes this remote ranch perfect for an unforgettable family escape.
7. Triangle X Ranch
Moose, Wyoming
A five-generation guest ranch near Jackson Hole, Triangle X Ranch delivers unparalleled horseback access to Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Bridger-Teton National Wilderness. The ranch is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and an authorized permittee of the U.S. Forest Service, which equates to millions of acres of riding territory in one of the most remote areas in the nation. Accommodations include 20 rustic cabins with one to four bedrooms to go along with kids’ and teens’ programs during peak season.
8. Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
Bigfork, Montana
On the shores of Flathead Lake, Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge is home to some of Montana’s most spectacular scenery. The lodge evokes the spirit of yesteryear while offering all-inclusive dude ranch vacations that include horseback riding, water sports, and homemade meals. Fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and archery are other options for staying busy, and summer programming is offered for kids and teens. Lodge rooms, cabins, and suites are all done up in western style.
9. Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort
Solvang, California
Kids love the “Lil Riders” trail riding program at Alisal Ranch, a luxurious dude ranch set on 10,500 acres in Santa Barbara’s Wine Country. In the barnyard, they can help staff collect eggs each morning. Other activities include hiking, bicycling, arts and crafts, golf, and an onsite spa. Learn to barbecue like a pro at BBQ Bootcamp, one of the ranch’s signature experiences. Lodging options include studios, cottages, and guest houses for larger groups.
10. The Ranch at Rock Creek
Philipsburg, Montana
Set on 6,000 acres in Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers unexpected amenities like a 2,000-square-foot spa and ranch sommelier to go along with the usual dude ranch activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, biking, and archery. In the winter, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, and sledding take center stage. Flint’s Forest Rangers club provides outdoor educational programming for kids ages four to 12, and the whole family can mine for sapphires or take on the ropes course together. Lodge rooms and luxury cabins are among the accommodation options.
More from FamilyVacationist:
- 10 family resorts with nonstop activities for kids with nonstop energy
- 7 kid-friendly Arizona dude ranches with something for everyone
- 21 best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S. for families
Beth Luberecki also contributed to this story.
