What to Expect at a Dude Ranch

Dude ranches are generally privately owned and generally managed by their owners. Because each dude ranch reflects the values and tastes and preferences of the owner, each is different. Some of the traits that most ranches mostly share in common include:

• A one-week stay (some six nights, some seven nights)
• Some dude ranches allow for a shorter 3 or 4 night stay
• Most ranches charge a package price for the week that includes al lodging, food, activities and amenities (The American plan)
• A culture of the old west – guests are genuinely thought of as “friends of the ranch”
• On many ranches, each staff member is expected to know each guest by name
• A horse centered lifestyle:
  • Trail Riding
  • Arena lessons
  • Arena games and gymkana
• Lots of outdoor activities:
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Off road jeep trips
  • Trap and Target shooting – shotguns, 22s & black powder
  • Rock Climbing & Bouldering
  • White water rafting
  • Horse shoes
  • Evening campfires and entertainment
  • Cowboy poetry
  • Scavenger hunts
  • Kids campouts
  • Kittens and goats and dogs, and gathering chicken eggs each morning
  • Teenagers “hanging” with the wranglers
  • Pool and Foosball tables,
  • The Jacuzzi
• A natural, healthy environment – no traffic noise, no loud rock and roll
• A different sense of time – folks just don’t rush on a dude ranch
• Very high standards for the quality of service that guests receive.
• A different etiquette – you will hear staff using terms such as “Yes Ma’am” or “No Sir.” They also use terms such as “please” and “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” (never, shudder… “No problem” or “Have a good one”)
• An employee work ethic that reflects personal ownership and pride in self – you simply will never hear a co-worker saying “that’s not my job”
• A simpler lifestyle – many ranches have no cell service, and no TV (by choice). Although a growing number of ranches are installing WIFI, guests are not encouraged to spend their vacations on their computers. This is a time to be with people face-to-face.