The best dude ranch vacations in the US

At 320 Guest Ranch, the bluebird skies, high mountain meadows, and ebb and flow of the river feel infinite. Once a historic homestead, the property has been transformed into a guest ranch that oozes low-key western hospitality.

The ranch offers a variety of accommodations, from intimate log cabins with homespun decor to elaborate mountain chalets with glass-enclosed living rooms providing spectacular views. Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and wrap-around porches grace many cabins.

The remote beauty of Big Sky country is easy to appreciate from the back of a horse. Expert wranglers maintain over 2,000 miles of trails and excel at helping riders find their hidden inner cowboy. Rides are as short as one hour and as long as a full day with lunch served lakeshore.

A filling breakfast is including in the rate, and dinner at on-site McGill's leans local, with just-caught trout and bison on the menu.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 2 out of 5 specialty lodging in Gallatin Gateway

Hotel.com Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Pros: With the Gallatin River running through the property, the resort is a mecca for fly-fishing. Though guest cabins have modern amenities, they manage to maintain the original homestead heritage.

Cons: Though the quality of the food is high, some guests complain that menu prices reflect the big city rather than the Big Sky.

Located on 60,000 acres of starkly beautiful desert terrain with the Rincon Mountains as a backdrop, Tanque Verde Ranch has the authentic feel of an old-time cattle ranch.

Guest rooms feature adobe walls and time-honored Southwestern accents such as beehive fireplaces. Private patios provide a peaceful place to listen to the morning birdsong.

Mount your horse for the popular lunchtime ride to Cottonwood Grove and soak in the majesty of the desert horizon. Beginning riders may enjoy a leisurely walking ride while experienced riders walk, trot, and lope. Everyone enjoys a BBQ lunch before heading back to the corral.

Additional horsemanship activities include team penning and lessons on equine behavior.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 13 out of 132 hotels in Tucson

Orbitz Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros: Many guest rooms and casitas have panoramic views that exploit the desert location. The wranglers are very experienced.

Cons: It's very hot for much of the year so schedule your ride for early morning or late afternoon.

This 3,000-acre Sonoran Desert oasis has been owned and operated by the same family for generations. They take pride in offering personalized service, a welcoming atmosphere, and excellent value.

Guest rooms have tiled floors, solid wood furniture, and private patios. Local artwork adds panache, and the sprawling five-bedroom hacienda is a good choice for large groups.

The ranch owns one of the largest private herds of horses in Arizona and guests are paired with one horse for the duration of their stay. A variety of guided rides are scheduled, from fast-paced trots to gentle walks where riders and wranglers have time to appreciate the flora and fauna. Nightly entertainment includes moonlight bonfires, whip-cracking demos, and a cowboy chorus.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 132 hotels in Tucson

Booking.com Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Pros: Excellent cuisine is a hallmark of the resort. While there is limited availability for a breakfast only rate, most guests opt for the full American plan, with three daily meals and round-the-clock snacks included in the nightly rate.

Cons: Horses are the major attraction here, so non-riders might be happier at a ranch with a broader range of additional activities.

The Catskill Mountains in New York State have long been a playground for urbanites seeking a rural escape. If you want to get in touch with your inner buckaroo without making a big dent in your wallet, Pine Ridge Dude Ranch is an affordable getaway located only 90 miles from Manhattan.

No-frills guest rooms are uncluttered with cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, and large screen LED TVs, and some have fireplaces and private patios.

One horseback ride per stay is included in the rate, as are free daily pony rides for young children. The popular Barn Buddies program gives up-close access to the horses while teaching grooming and saddling skills, while tractor rides, a petting zoo, horseshoe pit, and s'mores by the campfire provide nostalgic fun. Additionally, take a swim in the pool, swing a tennis racquet, and play a round of mini-golf.

Meals are laidback affairs, in tune with the casual feel of the ranch. The kitchen takes pride in utilizing produce sourced from nearby farms and hearty main courses are served with freshly baked bread and retro desserts like Jell-O and chocolate pudding.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 2 specialty lodging in Kerhonkson

Hotels.com Rating: 6.6 out of 10

Pros: With ponies, horses, and all activities included in the modest price, it's a slice of the West without leaving the East.

Cons: If you're looking for luxury, you're in the wrong place.

Located in the wooded foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains a few hours from New York City, Rocking Horse Ranch is tailor made for families.

Guest rooms are in either the Main Lodge or the adjacent motel-style Oklahoma Building. Rooms have faux-log furnishings, cowboy-themed bedding, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen cable TVs. Larger rooms with two queen beds and bunk beds sleep six people comfortably, and three homestyle meals per day and all snacks are included in the price.

Over 100 horses call the ranch home and the extensive year-round riding program is at its core. The network of interlocking trails provides ample room to walk, trot, and canter and the wranglers offer rides to suit first-timers and seasoned regulars.

The supervised children's program is also top-notch. Infants and toddlers have their own age-appropriate nursery while their older siblings may attend day camp. Finally, a water park, nightly entertainment, and arcade ensure that kids are never bored.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 4 hotels in Highland

Pros: If you're looking for family fun that is an easy drive from New York City, you've hit the jackpot. Extensive programming for children allows parents to enjoy some adults-only time.

Cons: This rambunctious ranch is not the place to vacation if you're seeking tranquility. Meals are filling but by no means gourmet.

Nestled in a wisp of a valley in the San Juan Mountains, explore your inner cowboy and a taste of the Wild West along the banks of the Rio Grande River.

Guest rooms are divided between four cottages and rooms have sturdy wood paneling, simple Shaker-style furniture, and plush bathrobes. Porches present panoramic views from the perch of comfy rocking chairs.

Horseback riding and an extensive horsemanship program anchor the resort. Novices gain confidence in the arena before heading out onto the wilderness trails while more savvy riders can book an all-day ride through the Rio Grande Forest. Fly-fishing, hiking, a dip in the soothing natural hot springs, and evening campfires are also all on the daily schedule.

Additionally, a stellar children's program includes riding, a weekly rodeo, hayrides, and lots of opportunities to play with the barn animals.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 11 specialty lodging in Creede

Pros: With three daily meals, early morning coffee served on the porch, and a bottomless cookie jar brimming with just-baked treats, there are ample opportunities to sample the delectable cuisine. The extensive kid's menu should tempt even finicky eaters.

Cons: 4UR Ranch is a digital detox with no cell phone service, no in-room telephones, and no televisions.

C Lazy U Ranch has been introducing families to the traditions of the American West for over 100 years. While not for those watching their wallets, the all-inclusive model and high-end accommodations and meals still mean it offers strong value for the price.

Locally-owned, this classic dude ranch sits on 8,500 pristine acres within an unspoiled landscape that supports a wealth of plant life and colorful wildflowers. As such, keep an eye out for animals like moose, black bears, elks, and eagles.

While guests may encounter a few bumps on the riding trails, the upscale guest rooms and recently remodeled cabins are smoother sailing. Stone fireplaces, exposed beams, and reclaimed timber trim are characteristic complements to the Continental Divide surroundings, and all are equipped with refrigerators, heated bathroom floors, and Keurig coffee machines. Roomy cabins with bunk beds work especially well for families.

Programming is anchored by extensive year-round horsemanship and horseback riding opportunities along with a patchwork of trails. However, if inclement weather hits, there's also a heated indoor riding arena.

Yoga, fly fishing, trap shooting, hatchet throwing, and a zip line course are popular pastimes in addition to equestrian sports, and in cold weather, snow tubing, ice skating on the pond, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing round out the offerings. Each winter morning, guests may join the wranglers on the feed wagon and watch the herd of horses eats their breakfast.

You'll build up an appetite in the mountain air and three full meals are included in the daily rate, which helps offset the higher price. Dinner is an elegant four-course experience with an award-winning wine program, led by an on-site sommelier.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 4 B&Bs/inns in Granby

Pros: A full-service spa is the place to pamper sore muscles after a day of riding. The comprehensive children's program gives parents plenty of kid-free time to enjoy that massage.

Cons: You'll need to change out of your riding clothes for the upscale dinner.

For a dude ranch vacation with ample charm, pack your Stetson hat and escape to Wildcatter Ranch Resort in North Texas Hill Country ranch, just 90 miles from Dallas.

Cabin suites and main building hotel rooms utilize natural materials like wooden bed frames and stone fireplaces, and in spite of mounted taxidermy, the look is genuine gaucho over kitschy. High ceilings and porches with panoramic views accentuate the sense of space.

With 25 miles of lightly-tread riding trails rambling across the ranch, couples may have a trail all to themselves. Learn additional cowboy skills such as ranch roping, or if you prefer to kick-back, enjoy the scenery on an escorted Jeep tour. The infinity-edge pool is the perfect place to watch the sunset while sipping a glass of local wine.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 8 hotels in Graham

Hotels.com Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Pros: The steakhouse serves some of the finest hand-cut beef in the Lone Star State.

Cons: Cabins are grouped fairly tightly, so you may hear your neighbors.

Gracious Alisal Ranch is situated on 10,000 rugged acres in California's Santa Ynez Valley, the heart of Santa Barbara County's wine region. The ranch is surrounded by dozens of wineries, which is convenient for sampling top vintages once you're out of the saddle.

Rooms and suites feature cozy wood-burning fireplaces, plus tasteful accents like reclaimed barn wood paneling, and fine linens covering the pillow-soft beds.

The extensive riding program is led by experienced wranglers and there are 50 miles of trails dipping through verdant glens, grass-covered hills, and riverbanks. Book the popular breakfast ride and you'll start your day with an easy trail ride before indulging in a Chuckwagon breakfast served by a crackling campfire.

Room rates are for two and include breakfast and dinner daily, which adds value to the seemingly expensive rate. The evening meal is a traditional affair, with men asked to wear collared shirts and sport jackets.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 2 out of 12 hotels in Solvang

Pros: The spring-fed lake is a bonus for swimming, boating, and fishing. The property's two 18-hole golf courses and six tennis courts offer a range of clinics and lessons and the top-notch spa is worth the splurge.

Cons: Alisal Ranch is expensive and there are similar options available elsewhere for less. Also, there are no televisions or telephones in guest rooms.

This remote Utah ranch is a bucolic retreat on the shores of Bear Lake. Surrounded by rolling hills and mountain peaks, the area is home to numerous caves filled with otherworldly stalagmite formations.

Guests sleep in glamping tents outfitted with electricity, luxurious bathrooms, claw foot soaking tubs with room for two, and cushy beds. Or, dive into the pioneer experience and stay in one of the Conestoga wagons, based on the authentic 19th-century design.

Guided horseback rides showcase the area's beauty and the wranglers are so genuinely friendly, you'll feel like they're your country cousins by the end of your stay. In summer, the sparkling waters of Bear Lake are a wonderland for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. If you prefer your fun on dry land, hiking, biking, and sunrise yoga are also enticing possibilities.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 6 specialty lodging in Garden City

Hotels.com Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Pros: The location feels miles away from the stress of modern life. Guests are saturated in serenity without lacking creature comforts.

Cons: Conestoga Ranch is more an immersion into nature than it is a deep dive into cowboy culture.

If you thought Florida was nothing but spring breakers, early-bird dinner specials, and a certain black-eared mouse, welcome to one of the state's last wide-open tracks of wilderness. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is located on 1,700 acres overlooking the Kissimmee River, and is one hour south of Orlando, making it an appealing add-on to a theme park vacation.

The ranch offers a variety of comfortable accommodations including lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tents, and decked-out tipis. Each tipi provides luxurious linens, a fireplace, a cast iron soaking tub, and a private patio.

Saddle up and go for a guided 45-minute trail ride or try not to get thrown from the mechanical bull. If horseback riding isn't your thing, there's also skeet shooting, tennis, fishing, swimming, line dancing, and archery. Our pick is the weekly Saturday rodeo, where experienced contestants fight to hold onto a wild bull.

When you're ready to dine, know that the menu leans towards meat and potatoes, with few options for vegetarians or those who favor clean eating.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 2 out of 8 hotels in Lake Wales

Booking.com Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Pros: The standard trail ride lasts for 45 minutes, which is an excellent length for beginners and rusty riders. The wide variety of both accommodations and activities also makes it popular with multi-generational vacationers.

Cons: The ranch feels somewhat corporate rather than authentically Western.