A dude or guest ranch vacation offers families old-fashioned hospitality and the opportunity to learn horsemanship in an authentic and scenic setting. Here are five places where cowboys and cowgirls can enjoy the wide open spaces:
• Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch, Parshall, Colo.:
Check into a cabin on a Gold Medal stretch of the Colorado River or spread out in the ranch house, before gearing up for a week of Western fun. Days are filled with riding into the nearby hills, practicing skills in the arena, fly fishing and mountain biking. Guests 13 and older can whip across the river at speeds up to 35 miles an hour on the ranch’s new 1,500-foot long zip line. Evening entertainment includes game night, talent shows, hayrides, campfire sing-alongs and stargazing.
Contact: www.barlazyj.com
• Three Bars Cattle & Guest Ranch, Cranbrook, B.C.:
Located just south of Banff, Canada, on 35,000 acres in the valley of 1,000 peaks, Three Bars offers a diverse activity program for families. Expect a world-class horse program, in-house rafting trips, natural stone fly fishing, hiking, biking, skeet shooting and an entertaining evening program. When not on the trail, head for the heated pool, hot tub, tennis court, gym, indoor riding arena or petting zoo.
Contact: www.ThreeBarRanch.com
• 320 Guest Ranch, Big Sky, Mont.:
Wake to the wide Montana sky and prepare for a day of hiking, horseback riding and fly fishing on the ranch’s private stretch of the famed Gallatin River. Don’t miss the weekly pig roast and consider a wagon or horseback ride, culminating in a riverside barbecue. Tell stories around a cozy campfire, catch a glimpse of faraway galaxies overhead, and admire the abundant wildflowers. The 320’s proximity to nearby Yellowstone National Park provides special packages, day-trip options or an ideal extension to your ranch experience.
