7 Reasons to Grab Granny and Mosey Over to a Guest Ranch Vacation

Choosing a Guest Ranch makes multi-generational travel easier than ever. 

My first introduction to the idea of a dude ranch vacation was from watching the iconic Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers. (Yes, I know I am dating myself.) While that movie will always remain a classic, it is far from representing a true Guest Ranch experience. Guest Ranches, sometimes distinguished as Dude Ranches, are simply a ranch that has been converted towards welcoming guests. That pithy definition doesn’t really begin to describe the unique guest ranch experience, nor does it give a real picture of what to expect if you book a guest ranch vacation for your family. Everything from a rustic, working ranch in the barren desert to a luxury resort in the foothills of a mountain range is available. In truth, guest ranch offerings and amenities are as varied as the landscapes they represent.

There is one quality that seems to knit all guest ranches together-it is the perfect family vacation, particularly for multi-generational travelers. Dude Ranchers’ Association Executive Director, Colleen Hodson is quick to point out the benefits of a dude ranch vacation for multi-gen travelers. “Guest Ranch vacations are perfect because there is something for everyone from the youngest child to grandma and grandpa,” she says.

 

The Big Easy

Providing activities for every age is just a start of why extended families should plan for their next vacation to be a ranch vacation. The more you look at the makeup of a dude ranch experience, the better it gets, starting with the relative ease that is built into the entire experience. Hodson shares, “Planning a family vacation at a ranch is easy because of the personalized attention the owners give each and every guest.” That’s music to the ears of the vacation planner of the family. Letting someone else take care of all the details, from meals to lodging to activities, means that everyone-even Type-A Aunt Rita can take a break and relax.

~Lodge-style, family dining welcomes groups to gather and enjoy the food and company.~

Let Someone Else Stress

The all-inclusive nature of the dude ranch is one of the biggest draws for big groups. Everyone knows that meeting the needs of multiple families with varying desires is hard enough to just want to stay home. If you can take away that hassle by letting someone else handle the meals, activities and sleeping arrangements, the stress of traveling together suddenly starts to melt away. Guest Ranches typically provide three hot meals per day, served family-style or around big lodge tables, so you can be sure to have time to catch up and enjoy quality time. These aren’t your typical meals, either. Expect many ranches to go above and beyond to provide multi-course meals with homemade desserts and gourmet quality menus.

~Hearty, made to order breakfast starts the day off right~

What to Do, What to Do

All the activities of the day are planned and prepared for you, as well. Guest Ranches will almost invariably have as much horseback riding as you can handle, but there are plenty of other options, as well. A schedule for each day will be provided to let visitors know when and where to expect activities. Some activities may require a signup and meeting at a specific time, while others may be ongoing so that you can drop by whenever the mood strikes. Either way, remember that there will be something for everyone, and that especially applies to the little ones. Dude ranches do a great job of providing supervised activities that are age appropriate and fun. Often, the groups are broken into age groups and treated to a summer camp style version of daily activities. For parents who would like to do some grownup activities while on their vacation, it is an ideal scenario that allows for safety and fun for the kids at the same time.

~Horses are always a part of the guest ranch experience, but also expect choices like skeet shooting, fishing, and games.~

A Place to Hang Your Hat

One feature that extended families really love is the unique lodging options offered at a ranch. Often, individual cabins or lodges with multiple bedrooms that give families a common area to enjoy while still offering the privacy of individual bedrooms. Families love the option of having a home away from home where they can have some quality time. It is a welcome change from the separation that is inevitable in hotel lodging. Fireplaces are a common feature in the living areas, and miniature refrigerators are often included to make families even more comfortable. Some ranches even stock the cabins with snacks and drinks daily.

~A cozy living room with fireplace is the ideal place for famlies to gather~

Get Back to Nature

While all of this may sound like a dream vacation, those who know guest ranches best believe that there is one quality that helps them stand out even further from the pack. Colleen Hodson says, “Dude Ranches are unique because they offer time away from the hustle and bustle. They give everyone a chance to reconnect with Mother Nature and all the beauty that surrounds them. Dude ranches are truly a place to unplug and reconnect with family and friends.”

~Opportunities to meet new animal friends abound at the ranch~

This is perhaps the biggest draw for the multi-gen family traveling clan. Guest Ranches provide an environment erases the typical distractions that steal from quality family time. Adults, particularly the older generation, will be thrilled to be interacting in a way that doesn’t even remotely involve an electrical outlet. Slow paced activities, like board games, nature walks, and horseback riding are on the agenda. Along with that comes a chance to reconnect and time to linger over a conversation or two

~Plenty of downtime gives families opportunity to connect over games and outdoor activites~

Uncommon Hospitality

All of these qualities certainly make an appealing package for families, but it is the extra level of hospitality that makes the vacation truly memorable. Hodson says, “The DRA is a very quality-oriented association. There are over 100 DRA-accredited guest ranches in North America (two in Canada), all of which uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. Our core principles are all about Horses, Hats, Hospitality, Heritage, Honesty and Heart. We make sure the ranches in our association are what they say they are.”

~A Ranch Hand visits with a young guest, giving the parents and grandparents a chance to enjoy their dessert and coffee~

Guests often leave a ranch not just feeling like they have had a vacation, but feeling like they have found a new place to call home. Many families return to the same guest ranch year after year to rekindle their family relationships and make new memories. That’s a feeling that you just can’t get from the typical family vacation, and what makes the dude ranch experience a vacation worth repeating.