— By Taryn Shorr-Mckee —
Although dude ranches have been around for centuries, they’re enjoying a serious renaissance — and for good reason. For families in particular, these all-inclusive escapes offer an unbeatable combination other types of getaways don’t: unplugged adventure in beautiful surroundings, fresh air, activities for every age group, and that distinctive, coveted, rustic luxury.
Whether you’re wrangling kids of varying ages or have grandparents in tow who prefer to simply take in the scenery, ranch vacations make it easy to create shared memories without the stress of planning every detail. Part of the appeal is how seamlessly dude ranches align with current travel trends. A ranch serves as the perfect setting for a cowboy core or slow travel getaway, skill-building, or multi-generational bonding… or all of the above!
Archery at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Mckee
Based on a recent Skyscanner and Tripaneer study on travel trends, it’s clear ranch life is more than just a niche — it’s one of the most exciting ways to travel. The study showed a staggering 94% increase in searches for “horse trail riding” and a 42% jump in “USA ranch stays.” The most popular destinations? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona.
“Unplugging and reconnecting are at the core of why dude ranches make such great family vacations,” said Bridget Brussels, marketing director at True Ranch Collection which owns a number of ranches across Arizona, Wyoming, and — you guessed it — Montana. “You’ll share meals together and have new experiences, all in incredible natural settings. The all-inclusive style vacation is helpful too — no need for planning meals or activities, everything will be handled for you on the ranch!”
That sense of simplicity and togetherness is exactly what appeals to families about dude ranches, shifting the focus back to what matters most: time spent together. So what exactly makes them such a winning choice? It comes down to several things every family will appreciate.
A hay ride at Cherokee Park Ranch / Photo courtesy of Caree Prince
From sunup to sundown, ranches offer nonstop adventure without parents needing to plan or organize a single thing. Kids can learn to ride horses, shoot a bow, or give roping a try. More independent kiddos and teens may prefer guided hikes, rock climbing, or kayaking on a nearby lake.
Meanwhile, adults can join in or take a break — whether that’s a yoga session or spa treatment, cocktails on the porch, more technical trail rides, or seizing the opportunity and doing nothing at all. Many ranches, like Arizona’s Rancho de los Caballeros and Eatons’ Ranch in northern Wyoming, even have supervised kids’ programs, freeing parents up to explore on their own.
Any parent will tell you that two of the biggest challenges when it comes to family vacations are planning a place to stay and meals that accommodate everyone’s needs and preferences. At a dude ranch, that stress disappears. Family-style dining — think hearty dishes with plenty of kid-friendly options, often served buffet-style around communal tables — brings everyone together to recount the day’s adventures.
With lodging, meals, and activities typically bundled into one price, families can relax knowing all the details are covered.
Arguably the most valuable aspect of a dude ranch vacation is the gift of time together, away from screens and distractions. While some ranches have televisions, most do not. Outside, wide-open landscapes (often in remote areas where cell service is spotty at best), star-filled skies, and evenings around the campfire encourage families to slow down and focus on one another.
Add in the chance to explore nearby national parks or go on guided outings into the forest, and you’ve got a balance of structured fun and open-ended adventure that appeals to every generation.
A scenic lawn at Greenhorn Ranch / Photo courtesy of Greenhorn Ranch
If we’ve piqued your interest, rest assured that there are plentiful dude ranches scattered across the country that make more a memorable family vacation. Regardless of the experience you’re after, there’s likely a dude ranch that fits the bill!
Bigfork, Montana
Family-owned since 1945, Flathead Lake Lodge feels like family summer camp. Along with traditional ranch activities like horseback riding, fishing, and a sporting clay course, guests enjoy unique family activities including laser tag and pickleball.
Best of all, the ranch has something no others do: a location on Flathead Lake with private access and water activities, ranging from sailing lessons and kayaking to water sports and seaplane rides. A robust kids’ program with dedicated age-specific activities (arts and crafts for little ones, archery and trail rides for older kids, and even Teen Late Nights) ensures every generation stays entertained.
A firetruck excursion at Flathead Lake Lodge / Photo courtesy of Flathead Lake Lodge
Quincy, California
Just about 90 minutes from Reno in California’s breathtaking “Lost Sierra” sits a Gold Rush-era goat farm turned modern dude ranch: Greenhorn Ranch. When you aren’t riding a horse or honing your archery skills, hang out by the pool or try your luck in the fishing pond.
By night, cozy up by the fireplace with board games, learn to line dance, or join a poker game. Horseshoes, cornhole, and other lawn games add active downtime and encourage friendly competition, and the Kiddie Corral program entertains kids between 3 and 5 years old with pony rides, crafts, buckaroo fishing, and obstacle courses. Choose from updated rustic cabins, traditional lodge rooms, or a refurbished Airstream.
Pond views at Greenhorn Ranch / Photo courtesy of Greenhorn Ranch
Livermore, Colorado
Although it’s less than two hours from Denver, Cherokee Park Ranch feels remote, down a long gravel road and with little cell service (but wi-fi is available near the pool for quick check-ins). Open since 1886, it’s one of Colorado’s oldest guest ranches and a former stagecoach stop. Families stay in the 120-plus-year-old lodge or cabins along the Poudre la Cache River, modernized but maintaining historic charm. Cherokee Park is designed to gather families together in the great outdoors, with a communal fire pit, playground, petting zoo, basketball courts, pool, and hot tub.
The kids’ program serves kids ages 2 to 12, but the ranch also offers something especially unique for parents with babies: Bring a full-time babysitter along, completely free of charge.
Girls fishing at Cherokee Park Ranch / Photo courtesy of Caree Prince
Saratoga, Wyoming
Brush Creek Ranch is the ultimate splurge-worthy family vacation, and it’s one of the only Wyoming ranches open year-round. In winter, guests even enjoy access to a private ski mountain! Although there are multiple properties spread across 30,000 acres, families often stay at the Lodge & Spa, offering both lodge rooms and private cabins.
The food program is exceptional, featuring the ranch’s own Wagyu beef and themed dinners, from saloon nights to creekside chuckwagon cookouts. Between horseback riding and bicycling, activities span a ropes course, paintball, river rafting, baking classes, touring the onsite farm and creamery, and even cattle drives.
Enjoying a creek at Brush Creek Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
Tucson, Arizona
Looking around at cactus framing rustic-chic adobe brick casitas, the Tucson Mountains in the background, it’s easy to see why dozens of classic Westerns have chosen White Stallion as their filming locations.
Beyond the dreamy desert scenery, families get incredible value here (which is why it’s the first ranch I brought my kiddos to!), with activities like archery, rock climbing, shooting, and e-bikes included in the rate. Evenings bring live entertainment, from roping shows to critter demos, plus a longstanding weekly ranch rodeo. As a bonus, the ranch is adjacent to Saguaro National Park West, offering more opportunities to explore outdoors as a family.
Casitas at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
For families craving an unplugged vacation that blends outdoor adventure with ease and comfort, dude ranches deliver. And today, they’re not just about horses and cowboy hats (though there are plenty of those!) — they’re about creating memories you’ll talk about for many, many years. If you’ve never taken a ranch vacation, plan to book several months in advance, at least.
The best ranches have a vast majority of repeat guests, and many book for the following year when they depart. Also, keep in mind that most dude ranches have minimum stays of four to five days. Keep in mind, this isn’t a quick weekend adventure; a ranch stay is designed to slow you down!
Lean in, and enjoy!
A horse ride at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
—
About the Author: Living in the Ozarks with her husband and two children after spending most of her life in southern Arizona, Taryn writes about adventure travel and food, and loves sharing hidden gems. You’ll find her exploring national parks, hiking, camping, road-tripping, or floating. Taryn regularly contributes to Lonely Planet, Matador Network, Midwest Living, Afar, Travel + Leisure, and other outlets.
The post Why a Dude Ranch Vacation is the Ultimate Family Getaway appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
Although dude ranches have been around for centuries, they’re enjoying a serious renaissance — and for good reason. For families in particular, these all-inclusive escapes offer an unbeatable combination other types of getaways don’t: unplugged adventure in beautiful surroundings, fresh air, activities for every age group, and that distinctive, coveted, rustic luxury.
Whether you’re wrangling kids of varying ages or have grandparents in tow who prefer to simply take in the scenery, ranch vacations make it easy to create shared memories without the stress of planning every detail. Part of the appeal is how seamlessly dude ranches align with current travel trends. A ranch serves as the perfect setting for a cowboy core or slow travel getaway, skill-building, or multi-generational bonding… or all of the above!
Archery at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Mckee
Based on a recent Skyscanner and Tripaneer study on travel trends, it’s clear ranch life is more than just a niche — it’s one of the most exciting ways to travel. The study showed a staggering 94% increase in searches for “horse trail riding” and a 42% jump in “USA ranch stays.” The most popular destinations? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona.
“Unplugging and reconnecting are at the core of why dude ranches make such great family vacations,” said Bridget Brussels, marketing director at True Ranch Collection which owns a number of ranches across Arizona, Wyoming, and — you guessed it — Montana. “You’ll share meals together and have new experiences, all in incredible natural settings. The all-inclusive style vacation is helpful too — no need for planning meals or activities, everything will be handled for you on the ranch!”
A Dude Ranch Family Getaway
That sense of simplicity and togetherness is exactly what appeals to families about dude ranches, shifting the focus back to what matters most: time spent together. So what exactly makes them such a winning choice? It comes down to several things every family will appreciate.
A hay ride at Cherokee Park Ranch / Photo courtesy of Caree Prince
Built-in Activities for All Ages
From sunup to sundown, ranches offer nonstop adventure without parents needing to plan or organize a single thing. Kids can learn to ride horses, shoot a bow, or give roping a try. More independent kiddos and teens may prefer guided hikes, rock climbing, or kayaking on a nearby lake.
Meanwhile, adults can join in or take a break — whether that’s a yoga session or spa treatment, cocktails on the porch, more technical trail rides, or seizing the opportunity and doing nothing at all. Many ranches, like Arizona’s Rancho de los Caballeros and Eatons’ Ranch in northern Wyoming, even have supervised kids’ programs, freeing parents up to explore on their own.
Stress-Free Meals and Accommodations
Any parent will tell you that two of the biggest challenges when it comes to family vacations are planning a place to stay and meals that accommodate everyone’s needs and preferences. At a dude ranch, that stress disappears. Family-style dining — think hearty dishes with plenty of kid-friendly options, often served buffet-style around communal tables — brings everyone together to recount the day’s adventures.
With lodging, meals, and activities typically bundled into one price, families can relax knowing all the details are covered.
Space to Reconnect in Nature
Arguably the most valuable aspect of a dude ranch vacation is the gift of time together, away from screens and distractions. While some ranches have televisions, most do not. Outside, wide-open landscapes (often in remote areas where cell service is spotty at best), star-filled skies, and evenings around the campfire encourage families to slow down and focus on one another.
Add in the chance to explore nearby national parks or go on guided outings into the forest, and you’ve got a balance of structured fun and open-ended adventure that appeals to every generation.
A scenic lawn at Greenhorn Ranch / Photo courtesy of Greenhorn Ranch
Dude Ranches for Every Family Vacation
If we’ve piqued your interest, rest assured that there are plentiful dude ranches scattered across the country that make more a memorable family vacation. Regardless of the experience you’re after, there’s likely a dude ranch that fits the bill!
For Multi-Generational Travel: Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
Bigfork, Montana
Family-owned since 1945, Flathead Lake Lodge feels like family summer camp. Along with traditional ranch activities like horseback riding, fishing, and a sporting clay course, guests enjoy unique family activities including laser tag and pickleball.
Best of all, the ranch has something no others do: a location on Flathead Lake with private access and water activities, ranging from sailing lessons and kayaking to water sports and seaplane rides. A robust kids’ program with dedicated age-specific activities (arts and crafts for little ones, archery and trail rides for older kids, and even Teen Late Nights) ensures every generation stays entertained.
A firetruck excursion at Flathead Lake Lodge / Photo courtesy of Flathead Lake Lodge
For First-Timers: Greenhorn Ranch
Quincy, California
Just about 90 minutes from Reno in California’s breathtaking “Lost Sierra” sits a Gold Rush-era goat farm turned modern dude ranch: Greenhorn Ranch. When you aren’t riding a horse or honing your archery skills, hang out by the pool or try your luck in the fishing pond.
By night, cozy up by the fireplace with board games, learn to line dance, or join a poker game. Horseshoes, cornhole, and other lawn games add active downtime and encourage friendly competition, and the Kiddie Corral program entertains kids between 3 and 5 years old with pony rides, crafts, buckaroo fishing, and obstacle courses. Choose from updated rustic cabins, traditional lodge rooms, or a refurbished Airstream.
Pond views at Greenhorn Ranch / Photo courtesy of Greenhorn Ranch
For Getting Away From it All: Cherokee Park Ranch
Livermore, Colorado
Although it’s less than two hours from Denver, Cherokee Park Ranch feels remote, down a long gravel road and with little cell service (but wi-fi is available near the pool for quick check-ins). Open since 1886, it’s one of Colorado’s oldest guest ranches and a former stagecoach stop. Families stay in the 120-plus-year-old lodge or cabins along the Poudre la Cache River, modernized but maintaining historic charm. Cherokee Park is designed to gather families together in the great outdoors, with a communal fire pit, playground, petting zoo, basketball courts, pool, and hot tub.
The kids’ program serves kids ages 2 to 12, but the ranch also offers something especially unique for parents with babies: Bring a full-time babysitter along, completely free of charge.
Girls fishing at Cherokee Park Ranch / Photo courtesy of Caree Prince
For a Bucket-List Getaway: Brush Creek Ranch
Saratoga, Wyoming
Brush Creek Ranch is the ultimate splurge-worthy family vacation, and it’s one of the only Wyoming ranches open year-round. In winter, guests even enjoy access to a private ski mountain! Although there are multiple properties spread across 30,000 acres, families often stay at the Lodge & Spa, offering both lodge rooms and private cabins.
The food program is exceptional, featuring the ranch’s own Wagyu beef and themed dinners, from saloon nights to creekside chuckwagon cookouts. Between horseback riding and bicycling, activities span a ropes course, paintball, river rafting, baking classes, touring the onsite farm and creamery, and even cattle drives.
Enjoying a creek at Brush Creek Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
For a Winter Escape: White Stallion Ranch
Tucson, Arizona
Looking around at cactus framing rustic-chic adobe brick casitas, the Tucson Mountains in the background, it’s easy to see why dozens of classic Westerns have chosen White Stallion as their filming locations.
Beyond the dreamy desert scenery, families get incredible value here (which is why it’s the first ranch I brought my kiddos to!), with activities like archery, rock climbing, shooting, and e-bikes included in the rate. Evenings bring live entertainment, from roping shows to critter demos, plus a longstanding weekly ranch rodeo. As a bonus, the ranch is adjacent to Saguaro National Park West, offering more opportunities to explore outdoors as a family.
Casitas at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
Slow Down and Saddle Up
For families craving an unplugged vacation that blends outdoor adventure with ease and comfort, dude ranches deliver. And today, they’re not just about horses and cowboy hats (though there are plenty of those!) — they’re about creating memories you’ll talk about for many, many years. If you’ve never taken a ranch vacation, plan to book several months in advance, at least.
The best ranches have a vast majority of repeat guests, and many book for the following year when they depart. Also, keep in mind that most dude ranches have minimum stays of four to five days. Keep in mind, this isn’t a quick weekend adventure; a ranch stay is designed to slow you down!
Lean in, and enjoy!
A horse ride at White Stallion Ranch / Photo by Taryn Shorr-Mckee
—
About the Author: Living in the Ozarks with her husband and two children after spending most of her life in southern Arizona, Taryn writes about adventure travel and food, and loves sharing hidden gems. You’ll find her exploring national parks, hiking, camping, road-tripping, or floating. Taryn regularly contributes to Lonely Planet, Matador Network, Midwest Living, Afar, Travel + Leisure, and other outlets. The post Why a Dude Ranch Vacation is the Ultimate Family Getaway appeared first on Road Trips For Families.