Starting and running a ranch is a lot of work. First, you’ll need the money to buy the land, equipment, and livestock necessary to turn a piece of property into a business. But you’ll also need to find at least 100 acres located in an ideal setting for raising cattle. Then comes the know-how necessary to start and run a successful ranch.
Still want to be a cowboy? You don’t even have to do all that. There are ranches across the U.S. that welcome visitors. Most offer a glimpse of the true ranching experience, and some even provide spa services and yoga sessions. Known as dude ranches, these properties have found a way to make money without relying solely on cattle sales.
The first dude ranch is thought to date all the way back to the 1880s. At the time, the word “dude” referred to the city types who were the target market for these vacation destinations. The first dude ranch was
the Custer Trail Ranch, located in the Dakota Badlands.
It was the Custer Trail Ranch that later served as the inspiration for ranches across the country. As harsh winters hit ranches hard in the late 1880s, some cowboys chose to invest in what was then called “guest business.” Teddy Roosevelt has been credited with spreading the word about dude ranches, since he visited Custer Trail Ranch and enjoyed hunting and fishing there so much, he purchased a ranch nearby.
Throughout the decades to follow, ranchers would begin welcoming guests in response to cattle industry challenges. Railroad expansion further paved the way for ranches to host guests on their property. Passengers could travel across the country to stay at dude ranches across the west. By then, the first guest ranch, Custer Trail Ranch, had grown to become the largest dude ranch in the country, with room to accommodate 125 guests at one time. At first, dude ranches didn’t even charge to stay on their property, but that gradually changed.
Dude ranches became somewhat official in 1926, when a group of ranch owners partnered with the Northern Pacific Railway to form the Dude Ranchers’ Association. The goal of the DRA was to find new ways to market and improve the experience for guests. The DRA is still in existence today, with a membership of more than 90 dude ranches located across the U.S. and Canada.
Although dude ranches no longer appeal solely to city dwellers, the goal
remains the same. Owners strive to give guests time outdoors, enjoying nature. Activities can include horseback riding, roping lessons, cattle drives, swimming, hunting, and campouts. To keep guests entertained in the winter months, ranches may also include some indoor activities like crafts and cooking classes.
If you’re thinking about enjoying the ranching experience yourself, start with a search of DRA member organizations. Some are only open seasonally, and some are large enough to handle large groups. It could make a great place for a family reunion or business retreat. Just be sure to pack your comfortable shoes and play clothes because, chances are, you’re going to get a little dirty.
Have you ever been to a dude ranch?
What’s your favorite kind of vacation?
Go behind the scenes at a dude ranch in The Maverick Cowboy, the first book in my all-new Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series. I’m giving away one free copy to three lucky commenters today!
USA Today Bestselling author Macie St. James has written most of her life. After earning a degree in mass communications, she worked in public relations and technology for the government. She spent a full decade as a content writer before realizing her dream of being a full-time novelist. She lives in Nashville with her husband and dog, a spaniel mix.
Visit Macie’s webpage at MacieStJames.com. Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free e-book of The Coolheaded Cowboy, the prequel to the Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series.
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Photos from Pexels:DudeRanch1 (Photo by Mathias Reding)
DudeRanch2 (Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez)
DudeRanch3 (Photo by Mathias Reding)
The topic makes me think if the Movie Cuty Slickers about a Dude cattle drive. Charlie Chan had a movie set on a Dude Ranch. Great post.
That was the first time I ever heard of a dude ranch. I’m sure that’s the case for a lot of people!
This reminds me of all the John Wayne wannabes. He was a man’s man and a perfect cowboy. Thought of his movie when he took a bunch of boys on a drive.
My husband loves John Wayne! Yes, there will never be another man like him.
I’ve never been to a dude ranch.
I’ve always loved visiting the mountains of East Tennessee for vacation. I love the beach, too.
We live in Nashville, so we vacation there quite a bit. The Village on the strip inspired my series Reindeer Ridge. We were just there a few months ago for my birthday.
My family is about 90 miles northeast of there.
I haven’t really thought about being a cowgirl, but I would love to visit a Dude Ranch. I think it would be fun.
There are all kinds now–some even have spas.
Macie…I’m surprised but not surprised to hear about spas there…prolly need a whirlpool after a day of riding…I might to the spa and skip the other activities though. 🙂
I have been to two Dude Ranches. They are so much fun. vacation for me is cruising.
Two! That’s so exciting. You could probably teach me a few things about dude ranch vacations.
Serendipity seeing your post–on a recent flight into the Tucson airport, a cowgirl was holding up a sign for the local White Stallion Ranch, which offers elegant accommodations and a wide variety of activities. I was sorely tempted to visit!
That sounds amazing! I live in Tennessee, so I don’t make it out west very often, but that’s where the BEST dude ranches are.
I’ve never been to a Dude ranch, but I’m sure it would be interesting. My favorite vacations are usually a few days doing things in the mountains of N.C.
I LOVE Asheville. We’re in Nashville, so it’s a fairly close drive…and a refreshing alternative to the Gatlinburg area.
Yes we visited a dude ranch in Colorado in summer of 1969! But really not that different from being raised on a 200+ cattle farm here in Indiana!
That sounds more like “checking out the competition” for you!
No I have never wanted to be a cowgirl and maybe would have gone to a dude ranch when I was younger but not now.
Yeah…at my age, vacations are a little more low-key!
I have never wanted to live the life of a cowboy, but I enjoy reading about them. My idea of a vacation is sleeping in a motel and eating something I haven’t cooked.
SO true. I always say I do NOT cook on vacation. I know lots of people who do, but I’d rather stay home if I have to cook!
I have not been to a dude ranch. I have been to a few horse ranches where they raise thoroughbreds for racing. I like reading about ranches and cowboys, but I don’t think it’s the life for me.
Nope. I live on a peninsula on an acre, but the only animal we have is our dog. And I suppose the deer that constantly hang out around our house. But I do pass several farms coming and going from our house–every year, it seems like they sell another one and put 20 houses on it. (If people wonder where I get ideas for my books–that’s a good answer…I’m constantly watching the cows disappear and be replaced by humungous houses.
Macie, welcome to the corral! We’re so thrilled you’re here today!
I loved your post! Who knew that dude ranches had been around so long? Okay, that was a dumb comment because obviously I didn’t but you did! Going to a dude ranch is on my bucket list so I appreciate you mentioning to check out the DRA member organizations. Now I know where to start my search when hubby and I are ready for our dude ranch vacation.
Thank you for having me! I was surprised, too. Honestly, I was surprised to learn that vacationing hasn’t been around all that long in the U.S. It started in New York in the late 1800s, I believe? So dude ranch owners were innovators!
Macie, I forgot to mention I can’t wait to read The Maverick Cowboy!
Yay! Thank you!
Good morning, Macie. No – I have never been to a dude ranch. However, I have gone to Jackson, WY twice and thoroughly immersed myself in the western theme. We went horse back riding and ended up corralling our own horses for the ride as I believe they were short handed the day we were scheduled to ride. Our ride had a few unexpected situations as the woman riding in front of me had her saddle slip as we were going down hill and she was thrown from her horse ( she did not get hurt, thankfully). My husband had to ride at the end of the line as his horse had bitten a rider the day before so they were not taking any chances. My friend was a bit frightened of riding so she practically hugged every tree as we passed them on the trail. It was quite an experience. We sure needed a drink when we got off those horses! I certainly will enjoy your story coming up. Many wishes for success in your future.
We always headed out west when vacationing. We lived in Iowa at this period of time.
I love horseback riding, but I do tend to be THAT PERSON who ends up on the horse that goes off the trail the first time water is spotted! Every single time. I don’t know what it is about me that makes the horses want to misbehave. Haha!
I’m from the west and so I’ve had a few experiences with riding ( 5 miles up to a camping/fishing spot), plus other rides. I’ve been to many national parks in the west and have seen many Wild West shootouts replayed. When my kids were younger a dude ranch would have been fun. We did do an extended family reunion at a ranch that included horse rides. Just finished Maverick Cowboy and reviewed on Booksprout, also Georgias story. Some interesting twists.
Yay! Thank you for reading. Yes, I could see a dude ranch being really fun for kids. Especially getting to spend time around horses. Many kids LOVE horses!
Never been to an actual ranch… would be an interesting experience though… would love to try horseback riding again… have not been on a horse for many many years.
It’s been a while for me, but it’s always such a fun experience, especially in the fall. There’s nothing like riding a horse through a trail surrounded by autumn leaves.
haven’t been, but sounds fun
Never been to a dude ranch – helping run a ranch when I was 11 kind of ranched me out! Then again, maybe being a guest would be a lot more fun! My favorite type of vacation is, predictably, anything that involves beaches and oceans and sun. <3
There’s a ranch in California that’s on the beach…AND in the mountains. The Ranch at Laguna Beach. I looked it up because I was curious if there was a ranch on the beach…and it turned out they have mountains, too. One thing that seems to be missing from it, though, is the ranch part of thing. I may be missing it, but I don’t see any ranching activities! I think it’s more spa and golf resort than ranch.
welcome today. no I have never been on a dude ranch before. but I have seen some funny movies where they visited a dude ranch. I grew up on a working ranch and so I suppose I have no desire to be on a dude ranch
So true! Like spending a week on vacation in the suburbs for those of us who grew up that way.
I have never been to a dude ranch but would love to. I usually enjoy vacations with the ocean view. I enjoy traveling overseas too!
The beach is my favorite type of vacation.
I have never been to a dude ranch. Before I became disabled, we would love to go to the Thomas, Davis, Canaan Valley area in West Virginia. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I’ve never been there. I’m going to have to check it out!
There are some “dude ranches” or as some facilities prefer “guest ranches” in the Adirondacks. Painted Pony, not far from Rachel Ray’s home in Lake Luzerne, NY, has been in business since the 1930’s. They hold PRCA sanctioned rodeos regularly as well as offering the normal activities. I have never stayed at a dude ranch but I have gone skiing at one that had a small ski hill with one lift and swimming at one with an indoor pool that was open to the public for a small fee. They had a sauna by the pool that felt really great after a stressful day at work. Another Adirondack guest ranch has a beautiful golf course and tennis courts along with trail rides and other outdoor activities along the banks of the upper stretches of the Hudson River. There are mountains all around it giving it spectacular views. They aren’t “ranches” in the way most people think of a ranch but they do offer many of the same activities in a beautiful setting.
The Adirondacks were the location of the first vacations ever in the U.S., I believe? Late 1800s? I was just reading about that!
I have looked into dude ranches for a vacation. What they have to offer is wonderful and something we would enjoy. The price of many of them was a bit intimidating. I will have to get my husband more interested in going before I can justify the expense. It would be wonderful. We have done a few chuck wagon dinners and wagon rides, enjoying them thoroughly.
Our favorite vacations are those that explore nature (National & State Parks, hikes, animal exhibits), history (sites, museums, events), culture (Highland Festivals, Pow Wows, concerts, ethnic festivals), and just seeing the beautiful country. The world has so much to offer. I want to see and experience it all.
A long time ago (before the internet), I got a bunch of brochures for dude ranches mailed to me. None listed the prices, so I never checked into that part of it. If the price is high, it definitely would scare me away!
I have never visited a dude ranch. It sounds really interesting.
I have never visited a dude ranch But I Love reading about Cowboy’s and dude ranches! And I love visiting Tennessee!