Whether you’re a fan of Yellowstone and all its spinoffs or you just want to get away from it all for a bit, a dude ranch stay makes for a memorable family vacation. There’s no time for scrolling TikTok when there are horses to ride, fish to catch, and hearty cowboy-style eats to enjoy.
Add in stunning natural settings with views that go on for days, not to mention all the convenience of all-inclusive resorts, and it’s easy to see why a dude ranch can be an ideal spot for a family trip or multigenerational vacation.
Best dude ranches for families
Some dude ranches are open year-round and others just seasonally, but there’s always an option no matter what time of year you want to travel. Read on for the best dude ranches across the U.S. and Canada where you can breathe in the fresh air and explore the scenic surroundings on horseback.
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1. Rainbow Trout Ranch
Antonito, Colorado
Situated outside of Antonito in the Rocky Mountain state, Rainbow Trout Ranch is one of the most remote dude ranches in Colorado. There are 16 log cabins on-site, all of which have fireplaces and can sleep anywhere from one to eight people. And, nestled on 600 acres surrounded by national forest, the ranch has one of the most spectacular wooden lodges in the world, too—it’s the second largest wooden lodge built west of the Mississippi.
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The lodge’s enormous wraparound deck offers vistas of the horse pastures and corrals, and the only sounds are from wind blowing through the pines. Seclusion and sanctuary await those who choose this ranch for their family vacation.
2. Three Bars Guest Ranch
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
The leading dude and guest ranch north of the border is intimate yet still sizable enough for you to meet new people throughout a weeklong stay. Located just south of Banff in Canada’s Valley of a Thousand Peaks, Three Bars Ranch sits on 35,000 acres and provides a rustic vacation feel without forgoing modern conveniences.
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Among other family-friendly activities, the dude ranch offers a world-class horse program, in-house rafting trips, natural stone fly fishing, hiking, biking, skeet shooting, and evening programming. There’s also an indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub, tennis court, gym, and petting zoo.
3. Triangle X Ranch
Moose, Wyoming
Saddle your horse at Triangle X Ranch, a five-generation guest ranch located near Jackson Hole, where you can ride right into 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.
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Accommodations at the dude ranch are simple, with 20 rustic cabins featuring between one and four bedrooms. The ranch provides both summer and winter vacation options and offers kids and teen programming during peak season.
4. Paradise Guest Ranch
Buffalo, Wyoming
The century-old Paradise Guest Ranch offers weeklong family stays during the summer plus adult-only weeks once the kids have gone back to school. Guests can take part in a plethora of outdoor adventures here, including fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, archery, and outdoor evening programs under the stars.
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When finally exhausted, you can climb into a comfy bed in your rustically elegant log cabin, which are available 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. Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
Bigfork, Montana
Situated on the shores of Flathead Lake in Bigfork, Montana, Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge is home to some of the most spectacular landscape in America. Owned and operated by a third-generation family, the lodge evokes the spirit of yesteryear while offering all-inclusive family vacation experiences that include horse riding, water sports, and homemade meals.
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Fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and archery are other options for staying busy, and programming is offered for kids and teenagers during the summer. Guests can stay in lodge rooms, cabins, or suites, all done up in western style.
6. Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort
Solvang, California
Children especially 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, kids can help staff collect eggs each morning. Other activities include hiking, bicycling, arts and crafts, golf, and an onsite spa.
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Want to learn how to barbecue like a pro? Don’t miss BBQ Bootcamp, one of Alisal Ranch’s signature experiences. Lodging options here include studios and cottages plus guest houses for larger groups.
7. 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. Located in Granby, Colorado (close to Rocky Mountain National Park), this all-inclusive year-round guest ranch has something for the whole family, from classic ranch activities such as trail rides to surprising activities that include a ropes course and ziplining.
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The resort offers high-quality seasonal children’s programs for ages three to 17 and is especially ideal for a family reunion. Guests stay in 38 private cabins, most of which have stone fireplaces and some of which have bunk beds.
8. Tanque Verde Ranch
Tucson, Arizona
Located in Tucson, Arizona, Tanque Verde Ranch offers countless activities for children, including horseback riding, arts and crafts, swimming, and nature programs. Children are separated by age group in the Daily Kids Program, which is covered in all-inclusive rates and includes activities like horseback riding, swimming, and arts and crafts.
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Parents will enjoy hiking, mountain biking, trail rides, and the spa. Be sure to take advantage of a Breakfast Ride and a Cowboy Cookout, two unique dining experiences the whole family will love.
9. Greenhorn Ranch
Quincy, California
Located in California’s “Lost Sierras” about an hour and a half from Reno, Greenhorn Ranch offers horseback riding experiences for both novices and more experienced guests. It’s the only dude ranch in California where guests can lope, a faster-paced style of riding for exploring the Northern California landscape. But beginners will feel right at home here too, and guides share local history while on the trails.
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There are kids activities for ages three to 11, including fishing, archery, and crafts, and in the evenings families can take part in movie nights, s’mores and stories by the campfire, and other activities. Guests stay in one of 16 rustic cabins, 12 lodge rooms, or a refurbished airstream, and the all-inclusive experience includes hearty trail-inspired meals made with local produce and freshly caught fish.
10. The Ranch at Rock Creek
Philipsburg, Montana
Set on 6,000 acres in Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers a luxury dude ranch experience. Think amenities like a 2,000-square-foot spa and ranch sommelier to go along with expected activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, biking, and archery. In the winter, guests can take part in on-property snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, and sledding.
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For kids, Flint’s Forest Rangers club provides outdoor educational programming designed for guests ages four to 12, and the whole family can mine for sapphires or take on the ropes course together. Families who visit the all-inclusive guest ranch can bunk down in a lodge room, luxury cabin, historic barn, or one of the glamping cabins located on the banks of a creek.
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Beth Luberecki also contributed to this story.
