RanchSeeker Blog

My husband and I recently returned from 5 days at a guest ranch in British Columbia and some of our friends asked us to describe our experience as they had never been to a guest ranch before on vacation. It made me think that their questions are probably quite common and that many people may also find it useful to hear a firsthand account of the guest ranch experience.  There are many types of guest ranches to consider when choosing a guest ranch vacation and for our vacation we went to a Guest Ranch Resort & Spa.

 We arrived on a Friday afternoon, and after being greeted warmly by all the staff and owners, we unpacked our bags in our cozy country room, with a spectacular view of the glacial mountains and ranch lands from our private balcony. It was July 1^st (Canada Day)so there was a celebration at the guest ranch including a  huge western style BBQ and campfire and even camp songs and s’mores to be enjoyed with the other guests and staff. That night as we snuggled under the soft duvet, we relished the sounds of silence, the cool, fresh mountain air and the millions of twinkling stars in the sky.

 Our second day at the guest ranch started off with a hearty ranch-style breakfast and then a morning hike through the boreal forest where we spotted deer tracks and various species of birds. After a delicious, healthy buffet lunch we headed to the barn where we were assigned a horse for the week according to our skill level. Mounted on my horse Sky, we followed the head wrangler as our group left the guest ranch behind us and set off on one of the numerous and varied trails that surround the ranch. After a relaxing two hour ride that also included a few lopes, we returned to the barn where I bid Sky a good-night.  There was still 2 hours before dinner so we headed to the games room and played some pool and then caught the tail end of a movie in the home theatre room.

 At 6pm we joined the other guests and owners upstairs for a glass of wine before dinner and when the dinner bell sounded we eagerly took our places at the table and waited as the chef served the appetizer and then brought barbequed salmon on a cedar plank and tender cuts of meat with roast potatoes and asparagus. Dessert consisted of individual pots of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate soufflé and pleasant dinner conversation. After our meal had digested we ambled over to the guest ranch spa for a traditional Thai massage by Thai therapists, where for the next hour and a half we drifted in and out of consciousness as we enjoyed our full body treatment. When we were done I felt a deep sense of tranquility and felt the rigours of city life slip away.

 For the next few days we followed much the same pattern of hiking, riding, spa treatments, enjoying healthy, delicious meals with the other guests and relaxing in the hot tub or playing games or simply reading a book in the main lodge while taking the time to enjoy the spectacular view.  As our guest ranch vacation at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa came to an end I felt renewed and refreshed and ready to return to the city. It had been especially meaningful for us as we had spent the week with my sisters, who were also visiting Echo Valley Ranch, which is owned by our Father and his wife. As always a guest ranch vacation is a great way to reconnect with family and friends in an idyllic setting far from the distractions of city life.

Happy Trails  

Many people who are thinking about going to a guest ranch for their next vacation wonder what else there is to do other than ride. There are numerous activities nowadays that guest ranches offer their guests other than horseback riding and activities vary from guest ranch to guest ranch so it is important to ask each ranch before booking  your next guest ranch vacation.

 At Tierra Chamahua Eco Adventures at Rancho Los Banos you can hike through one of their many boxed canyons, the one above is on the way to the Bavispe River.   Guest ranches can be located in some of the most spectacular wilderness, mountain or rural areas so for hikers this is a great opportunity to explore new trails. You can also choose swimming in pristine lakes or heated indoor pools.  There are even guest ranches that offer white water rafting for the truly adventurous at heart. For those of you that like to fish, how about trying your hand at fly-fishing in a glacier lake or river?

 Bar W Guest Ranch in Montana offers: Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking – Ride class II – IV rapids for a half or full day – just twenty miles down the road Your next guest ranch vacation may also include bird watching or wildlife viewing and for those so inclined skeet shooting. There are even trips to local must-see sites.  As you can see there is a lot to do! At the end of the day a you will enjoy typical western entertainment and hospitality at its best. Dinner might entail a traditional outdoor BBQ or gourmet cuisine and fine wines prepared by trained chefs. Your company will include guests from around the world. If all this activity has you feeling weary why not pamper yourself on your next guest ranch vacation at one of the ranch resort’s spas.

Offering a wide selection of aesthetic services, including massages, facials and pedicures a guest ranch spa treatment is a great way to relax and unwind among the tranquil setting of a ranch vacation Finally, if you do decide to venture forth on a horse, most guest ranches offer horseback riding lessons and  have expert wranglers to guide you safely and pleasantly on a new adventure of the spirit! Our Dude Ranch Finder will help you find the right ranch for you!  

Happy Trails,  

This year when planning your next vacation for your family, spouse or friends why not choose a dude ranch vacation? You don't have to be a cowboy to love a dude ranch vacation. Here are 5 great reasons to go on a dude ranch vacation!

Dude Ranches Offer All-Inclusive Value Most dude ranches offer all-inclusive vacation packages which makes your vacation stress-free. Comfortable accommodations, meals, snacks and many activities are all included in your upfront costs. Many dude ranches also have swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas.

Dude Ranch Vacation Packages Many dude ranches aside from offering basic all-inclusive vacation packages also offer customizable vacation packages. If you want to be a “real cowboy” for a week you can choose a working ranch and help rustle up the cows, participate in a rodeo and saddle-up your own horse. Or if you prefer a more laid back dude ranch vacation you could choose a spa package that many ranches offer and spend the week being treated to relaxing treatments and incredible views. There are many vacation packages available that you can choose from to make your dude ranch vacation tailor-made for you.

Horseback riding If you love horses then a dude ranch vacation is definitely for you. Whether you are an experienced rider or will be riding for the first time responsible wranglers will help you find the right horse for you. Enjoy riding through forests, surrounded by majestic mountains, or through canyons or even the desert on your next dude ranch vacation. Many ranches will pair you with a horse at the beginning of the week who will be yours for the rest of your stay so be prepared to make a new friend.  

Dude Ranches Are Close To Nature A dude ranch vacation is all about the scenery – unplugging from technology and connecting with nature. Riding and hiking trails always lead to the very best of the surrounding landscapes that are inaccessible any other way. Re-connect with the world around you.

Spend Quality Time Together With today's modern dude ranches offering so many activities there is something for everyone of all ages.

Whether you are traveling with your family, spouse or good friends you are bound to find something that interests everyone in your group. Many dude ranches offer kid-friendly programs so be sure to ask them. Vacations are about making memories and spending time together. Still not sure whether a dude ranch vacation is what you are looking for?

Check out our Dude Ranch Finder and read more about each ranch listed on RanchSeeker.  

Welcome to RanchSeeker's blog! My name is Ashlie Dove and I spent much of my youth growing up on my father's dude ranch in B.C. I have many splendid memories of horseback riding, outdoor BBQ's ,hiking wooded trails, relaxing spa treatments and spending time with family so I decided to get involved with RanchSeeker as a way to better promote dude ranches to the public. On the RanchSeeker blog you will find articles about dude ranches, special offers from RanchSeeker dude ranches, and other useful information to help you plan your ultimate dude ranch vacation so check back often or better yet subscribe. I look forward to sharing with you and reading your feedback.In the meantime,if you are planning an upcoming dude ranch vacation be sure to use our Dude Ranch Finder and start your search today. It is as easy as 1-2-3- and there is no need to wade through pages and pages of information as our Dude Ranch Finder does all of the work for you and matches your ideal dude ranch vacation to you.Happy Trails!

Happy Happy Trails