DUDE, WHERE'S MY... VACATION?
Dude Ranching Fun for Families, Boon for Ranchers
By Tonya Poole, 4-30-06
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As this year's State of the Rockies conference reminded us – ranchers across the Rockies are facing big challenges as climate, environmental and financial pressures but the squeeze on an industry that, until recent years, was fundamentally locked into the backbone of western culture. But rather than go down (even if fighting), a growing number of ranchers are turning to diversification to keep themselves in the game. The results? Working dude ranches across the region that give ranchers an extra hand, some extra income, and vacationers a whole lot of fun.
Colleen Hudson, executive director at the Dude Rancher's Association in Cody, Wyoming, says that, for the second year in a row, dude ranch reservations are up – as much as 30% from last year, and substantially higher than previous years. Hudson recommends that vacationers take time to find what they're looking for, as the association's more than 100 member ranches offer everything from cattle round-ups to overnight pack trips to spa experiences to youth activities and then some.
But don't take too long, she says. Ranches are filling up fast for '06, and last minute travelers may find themselves out of luck. Member ranches can be browsed and compared at the association's website at www.duderanch.org. To whet your appetite, here are a few of our favs:
Bar Lazy J
Parshall, Colorado
Considered to be the oldest continuously operating guest ranch in Colorado, the folks at Bar Lazy J have been serving up old-fashioned fun and hospitality since they opened their doors in 1912. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, guided hikes, kids programs, rafting, cattle drives and a delicious spa ride to Hot Sulphur Springs for some hardcore relaxation.
http://www.barlazyj.com
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
Emigrant, Montana
Don't let the upscale experience fool you, there's real wild, wide open west to be found at Montana's breathtaking Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. Activities include the standard hiking, riding, fishing and rafting, sprinkled with fun games, dancing, hayrides, campfire stories and a special Wild West Women's Adventure getaway in May.
http://www.mtnsky.com
Windwalker Ranch
Spring City, Utah
Just a short jaunt south of Salt Lake City, the Windwalker Ranch offers guests the setting, staff and spirit of a true getaway. In addition to fishing, hiking, biking and other fun outdoor activities, visitors will be surprised that they can use their time here to indulge in massage, healing arts, meditation and stress release exercises.
http://www.windwalker.org
Klondike Ranch
Buffalo, Wyoming
Local legend, wide open country, starry skies – Klondike Ranch has been offering an authentic, working ranch experience for guests in Crazy Woman Canyon since the early part of the 20th century. Klondike's activities include horseback adventures, rodeos, hot tub soaks, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, stargazing and a variety of nearby historic excursions.
http://www.klondikeranch.com
Twin Peaks Ranch
Salmon, Idaho
Tucked into the pristine northern Rockies, the Twin Peaks Ranch offers “three-diamond rustic lodging” to guests looking for a peaceful outdoor vacation without sacrificing comfort and little luxuries. Guests enjoy down home ranch cookin', outdoor barbecues and a long list of activities that include fly fishing, wilderness overnights, white water rafting, cattle drives, swimming, golf and dancing.
http://www.twinpeaksranch.com
Burntwell Guest Ranch
Roswell, New Mexico
A small, family-owned, working ranch in the remote heart of southern New Mexico, the Burntwell Guest Ranch offers an intimate atmosphere for vacationers looking for a little down time on their own. A maximum ranch capacity of 10 means guests can enjoy the privacy and personal attention that Burntwell offers, without missing out on ranch activities like horseback riding, cattle drives, kids activities, barrel running, cowboy golf, or just enjoying some old-fashioned ice cream on the porch.
http://www.burntwellguestranch.com
Can't decide? Give the folks at Live the West Vacations a call at (720) 231-4942 to help you select the dude ranch vacation that's right for you.
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Comments
A working ranch is not a dude ranch, period. A working ranch offers an authentic experience wherein guests can learn about what it’s like to live and work on a real ranch. Visitors learn to appreciate the lifestyle and workday of production ranching – and have fun while they’re at it, doing what the ranch family does. The income generated is a way for the ranch family to diversify their operation, often as a means of staying afloat in an increasingly tough economic picture for family-scale agriculture.
The article should have referenced WHOA, the Wyoming Homestay and Outdoor Adventures Association (http://www.wyomingbnb-ranchrec.com) instead of the Dude Ranchers’ Association. WHOA’s homepage makes a point of the critical distinction: “On a Working Ranch, your hosts make their primary living from agriculture and they invite you to share their uniquely western lifestyle.” WHOA will direct vacationers to real ranches.
Nothing against dude ranches, because they provide a terrific destination resort service for vacationers who want that; but these are primarily entertainment businesses, with horses and cattle providing ambience for a fabricated experience. Ms. Poole cites some fine dude operations, but these are not to be confused with real ranches.
A family rancher is someone whose primary livelihood is derived from agricultural production on their land. Let’s be clear about this. It is not a dude ranch, not an amenity ranch, not a corporate ranch, not a hobby ranch. I hope the State of the Rockies Conference “gets” the distinction.