Connect with Nature at a Dude Ranch

If you’re searching for a sense of wellness this year, a vacation at a dude ranch is the perfect opportunity to relax in nature, unplug and get away from it all. When you stay at a dude ranch, you’ll experience cowboy life firsthand. While riding horses is a given, there are all kinds of activities offered at dude ranches across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

If you’re a foodie, there are ranches with mind-blowing farm-to-table experiences. If you’re interested in wildlife, one ranch in Wyoming will take you to see wild horses. Others have amazing kids’ programs complete with ziplining.

Dude ranches are all-inclusive, offering individual accommodations, small group sizes and, of course, lots of time in nature.

“It’s so easy to connect to the great outdoors on a ranch,” muses Bryce Albright, The Dude Ranchers’ Association executive director.

Whether you’re learning horsemanship, exploring on a long trail ride, enjoying dinner around a campfire or simply reading a book on the porch, you’ll feel connected to the land and history of the West— a history that’s entwined with that of our nation’s first national park. In the early 1900s, visitors flocked to Yellowstone on the railroads to see the storied wildlife and mysterious geysers. Dude ranches provided these visitors with places to stay and pack trips into the park, allowing Easterners to experience a taste of cowboy life.

The spirit of dude ranches remains the same more than 100 years later, giving visitors a glimpse into the Western way of life.

“If it weren’t for dude ranching, I wouldn’t be here,” Albright remarks.

Her parents met while working on a dude ranch years ago and Street grew up on a dude ranch. Working on them through high school and college, she ended up at the Association to help visitors have those authentic experiences.

“It’s in my blood,” she says.

The Dude Ranchers’ Association has nearly 100 member ranches all over the Western United States, with many located within two hours of Yellowstone. Several ranches even lie within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. With so many dude ranches to choose from, the staff at The Dude Ranchers’ Association will help you find your perfect stay. All member ranches meet strict criteria. Horses, hats, hospitality, heritage, honesty and heart are the Association’s pillars, ensuring you have the experience of a lifetime.

For More Information:
Dude Ranchers’ Association
1122 12th Street, Cody, WY 82414
307-587-2339
duderanch.org/listings/markets/yellowstone-national-park
duderanch.org/listings/markets/grand-teton-national-park
duderanch.org/listings/markets/glacier-national-park