Find A Dude Ranch Near Me!
If you are looking to try something new and exciting as a family, then a dude ranch vacation may be the perfect choice for you. These rustic retreats situated in beautiful natural settings provide the perfect opportunity for family members of all ages to try something new together. Whether you are interested in horseback riding, nature walks, exploring the outdoors, or learning new skills, it is likely that you will find an activity to enjoy at a dude ranch. Here we have gathered a list of the best 🐎 ranch and dude ranch vacations in California that are great for a family getaway.
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What is a Dude Ranch?
A dude ranch is a rural guest ranch that offers horseback riding, ranch activities, and all-around relaxation as part of its vacation packages. These properties feature rustic cabins, spacious dining halls, outdoor swimming pools, and other amenities typical of a luxury resort. However, guest ranch vacations are much more than just a vacation at a luxury resort. The ranch experience is an adventure that both guests and staff can enjoy together.
You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, work alongside ranch staff, and explore the area surrounding the ranch. You will also have ample opportunity to enjoy the health and wellness benefits brought on by spending time outdoors. Dude ranch vacations are a great way for families to get away and enjoy some quality time together. The ranch experience is about connecting with nature, horses, and each other in a way that is not as easily possible when you’re on vacation at a large resort with other tourists around.
The Best Dude Ranches in California
1800 Refugio Road
Goleta, CA 93117
805-968-1113
Experience the splendor and majesty of California’s Central Coast at this one-of-a-kind dude ranch near Santa Barbara surrounded by 1100 acres of natural beauty and wonder. Located just 2 hours from Los Angeles and 25 minutes from both downtown Santa Barbara and the Solvang/Santa Ynez wine country, you will feel whisked away in the rustic yet luxurious setting. Offering scenic horseback riding, spa services, home-style dining, and much more, you’ll have a great getaway with your family.
Nearby attractions include Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tasting & Tours, Danish Town of Solvang, Whale Watching, Shopping in Santa Barbara, Fishing & Swimming, Boating & Kayaking, Yoga & Dance, Farmer’s Market, Golfing, Biking, Museums, and Santa Barbara’s Historic Sites.
1054 Alisal Rd.
Solvang, CA 93463
877-648-7097
This secluded jewel tucked into California’s famed Santa Ynez Valley is on a 10,000-acre ranch melding the spirit of the Old West with the seductive charms of today’s most relaxing resorts. Activities include two golf courses, horseback riding, six tennis courts, a 100-acre private lake for fishing and boating, extensive children's activities, barnyard activities, and an outdoor high and low ropes course with a rock climbing wall for team building.
Nearby you’ll find 50 miles of riding trails, a 100-acre spring-fed lake, tennis courts, pool, spa, western-themed accommodations, fine dining, and endless ways to unplug and unwind.
2116 Greenhorn Ranch Rd.
Quincy, CA 95971
530-283-0930
A ranch with a focus on horseback riding, outdoor adventures, and western culture is an ultimate destination for reconnecting with family and friends. With 660 acres and access to 500,000 acres of public land for riding, 80 head of horses, this ranch is full of fun and excitement. Cowboy living is alive and well at this ranch, and the Wranglers will teach you how to ride a horse with confidence or help you improve your riding skills.
Between trail rides and fly fishing, switching saddles for mountain bikes or tapping into the scenery's inspiration for the arts, Greenhorn Ranch offers additional activities like archery, cycling, golf, hiking & nature walks, karaoke, lawn games, off-road adventure, skeet shooting, s'mores, swimming, yoga and more.
23500 Walker Basin Rd
Caliente, CA 93518
661-867-2511
Rankin Ranch is one of the oldest and largest family-owned ranches in California. Six generations of Rankins have lived and worked on this 31,000-acre cattle ranch. Lodging is provided in comfortable mountain cabins which are surrounded by beautiful scenes of nature. Each evening when the dinner bell rings, you will enter the “Garden Room” to find candle-lit tables, linens, and fresh flowers, which will add to your dining enjoyment.
You will enjoy riding on a horse through mountains and meadow cattle country. Other ranch activities include swimming, hiking, fishing for Rainbow Trout in the ranch pond, a variety of games in the recreation room, sports equipment, and evening activities.
70410 Parkfield-Coalinga Rd.
Parkfield, CA 93451
805-463-2421
Nestled in the Cholame Valley, the V6 Ranch is on 20,000 acres of the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of central California, a four-hour drive from Los Angeles. The Park-field Lodge, which houses 9 guest rooms, was built in 1991. The Lodge has a pool and spa area with a theme of old iron relics and native log accents.
V6 Ranch Blue Oak also offers camping. The camp is 2.7 miles from the town of Parkfield at the southernmost entrance to the V6 Ranch. Amongst the oak landscape sits a large gathering room, kitchen area, four bathrooms, a vanity area, and four showers. Accommodations include a six-room bunkhouse, three glamping tents, and water hook-ups for 30 RV's or living quarters.
The ranch offers trail rides, cattle drives, horse camping, over 50 scenic miles of trails to explore, hiking, photography, and over 200 varieties of wildflowers, wildlife, and bird watching.
1110 Hunewill Ranch Rd.
Bridgeport, CA 93517
760-932-7710
Hunewill Guest Ranch is located in Bridgeport, California on the eastern slope of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains bordering Yosemite National Park. With over a hundred well-trained horses and a vast expanse of lush green meadows and scenic mountain trails, there is something for everyone at the ranch. You'll love riding a horse through 26,000 acres of alpine meadows.
The full ranch experience includes world-class riding, delicious meals served in the dining room of the founder’s Victorian ranch house, lodging in comfortable cabins, and popular evening activities such as talent night, family dance night, creek-side barbecues, and watching the gentling of young foals and yearlings.
Twin Lakes is only three miles from the Hunewill Ranch, and there is abundant fishing and boat rentals are available at nearby lakes. Yosemite National Park is located 30 minutes from the ranch.
4310 Coffee Creek Rd,
Trinity Center, CA 96091
Surrounded by National Forest and the Trinity Alps wilderness area in Northern California, this 367 acres ranch lies along Coffee Creek, an excellent stream for fly-fishing and gold-panning!
The secluded cabins at Coffee Creek Ranch look rustic from the outside, but the atmosphere inside is cozy. Each cabin has a theme based on its brand. Most family cabins have wood-burning stoves. The vacation packages include three meals a day. They offer a variety of meal options to please everyone and only use the freshest ingredients to create flavorful meals.
At this ranch, you can enjoy horseback riding, swimming in a heated pool, or soaking in the outdoor Jacuzzi spa, gold-panning, self-guided hiking, hunting, badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, table tennis, pedal boating, and basketball. You can also test your skills at the rifle and archery range.
0001 Willow Creek Rd,
Paicines, CA 95043
831-201-2593
Bar SZ Ranch is in the process of transitioning the ranch to a new location and they are not taking reservations at this time. In the meantime, you can find them on YouTube, where they host educational videos about horsemanship, animal care, line dancing, and more.
14251 Coram Rd,
Redding, CA 96001
530-275-5510
With over 40 acres of land and located right at the base of Shasta Lake in California, you and your family can enjoy a beautiful getaway at Coram Ranch. This is a family-friendly resort with unlimited activities. Activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, rafting, horseshoes, gold panning, basketball, arcade, ping pong, table soccer, billiards, ATV, and motorcycle trails.
All homes at Coram Ranch come equipped with different-sized rooms and appliances. You'll be able to choose which home suits you and your family better. All the homes come with linens, towels, and cleaning supplies.
Take your boat and swimming trunks when you visit Coram Ranch, because they are just located 1/4 mile from the lake and Centimudi boat ramp.
Nearby attractions are Shasta Dam, Win River Casino, Gold Hills Golfing, Lake Shasta Caverns, Turtle Bay Museum. Fishing Tours, Boat Rentals, Mt. Shasta Ski Resort, Sundial Bridge, Cascade Theatre, Waterworks Park, and Helicopter Rides. You also have the option to the facilities to cook for yourself.
The ranch is also a perfect place for family reunions, company retreats, and other group gatherings. You can rent the entire ranch, which sleeps 42 people.
36521 Reed Valley Rd
Hemet, CA 92544
Phone: 951-767-0524
Located within a short drive from Los Angeles, Reed Valley Ranch boasts 835 acres of oak groves, lush valleys, and rugged hills. This remote ranch is tucked away in a private setting. There are several ponds, historic barns, and the original Spanish-style ranch house, along with a bunkhouse.
Originally settled in 1867, Reed Valley Ranch has kept the charm of days gone by. Owned and operated by the same family for over 65 years, this pristine land is sure to inspire your love of nature, ranching, and horsemanship. There’s still some Cowboys here from time to time that come in large groups and help with the cattle.
There are two RV Hook-ups at the ranch and a bunkhouse with full bathroom that sleeps 8 people.
57840 Cortez Dr,
Yucca Valley, CA 92284,
(760) 333-1771
The Knob Hill Ranch offers ranch vacations, horseback riding and trail rides into the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. The serene desert retreat is just 1.5 miles away from Black Rock Canyon which is the most Western entrance into the world-famous Joshua Tree National Park, with a size of 1,235 square miles. The lookout point at Keys View, towards the south of the park, offers views of the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea.
You can enjoy horseback riding at a beautiful trail into Joshua Tree National Park. They offer several different kinds of trail rides depending on the knowledge of the riders. At the horse ranch, activities start very early in the morning during the hot summer months, like July, August, and September. In the spring, fall, and wintertime, they start a little later.
The guest house is 950 sq,ft with impressive views from the mountains and the desert. It has one bedroom with a queen bed, a living room with two queen sleeper couches, dining/sitting with breakfast table, a full kitchen, a huge bathroom with shower, and an outdoor patio with dining table and chairs, barbecue, & burn barrel.
60072 Mammoth Pool Rd,
North Fork, CA 93643
(559) 877-7260
Lyn-Mar Pond Guest Ranch, located in North Fork, happens to be the "exact center" of California. Just 30 minutes from Yosemite, the ranch is the ideal getaway for a family vacation or a family reunion.
You can participate in watersports like fishing and swimming at nearby Bass Lake, Mammoth Pool, the San Joaquin River and Redinger Lake. You can also go horseback riding at Yosemite Trails Stable at Fish Camp and ride the Sugar Pine Railroad steam train through the woods as well as enjoy an old-time melodrama in nearby Oakhurst.
The home comes with all the modern amenities that you would expect like: comfortable bedrooms, a fireplace, two completely equipped kitchens, flat-screen, televisions, washer/dryer, barbecue and more. The 3,000 square foot facility consists of two separate self-contained units. You can accommodate up to comfortable sleeping arrangements for 20 people. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two kitchens. There is a two-night minimum stay requirement.
The grounds are lovely with arches, wishing wells, breathtaking Sierra views, and hiking trails.
92520 CA-96
Somes Bar, CA 95568
530-469-3322
Marble Mountain Ranch has an American cowboy’s trail riding theme. You can expect thrilling guest ranch activities such as horseback riding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, sporting clays, shooting sports, ATV rides, paintball, Fall fly fishing, and traditional American ranch events.
This ranch offers an all-inclusive ranch experience with breathtaking mountain trail riding, white water rafting, and Fall season steelhead fly fishing!
They have programs for the little ones so kids can safely enjoy the outdoors. The little ones can enjoy nature walks, arts and crafts, feeding small animals, harvesting chicken eggs, and more.
Each morning of your child’s dude ranch vacation is packed with instructional arena riding games, riding lessons, scenic trail ride adventures, and an evolving daily exposure to Western shooting sports. The afternoons are filled with daily rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Evenings offer campfires, lariat challenges, fish-outs, and Western frontier games.
The cottages and homes are located conveniently close to ranch activity centers but are remote enough to allow you to find solitude in the lush shade of the forest margins. Accommodations include fully furnished deluxe homes and housekeeping cottages with full kitchens, as well as smaller units that come with kitchenettes.
4 Reasons to Visit a Dude Ranch with Your Family
Here are a few of the top reasons why a dude ranch vacation is a perfect choice for your next family getaway:
You Will Be Close to Nature - A dude ranch vacation provides guests with easy access to nature, which may be something you don’t get the chance to experience very often.
You Will Be Close to the Horses - Whether you or your kids have a special connection to horses, a dude ranch is a great place to be. You will have the rare opportunity to spend time with these beautiful animals.
You Will Be Close to Other Guests - A dude ranch provides an opportunity to meet new people and form friendships with people from all walks of life. When you are at a dude ranch, you and your family will be surrounded by people who have also chosen to spend their vacation time at the ranch.
You Will Have the Opportunity to Explore New Hobbies and Interests - Whether you and your family members have always wanted to learn how to ride horses or try fly fishing, a dude ranch can provide you with the opportunity to do so.
5 Tips for Planning the Perfect Dude Ranch Vacation
When you and your family are planning your next vacation to a dude ranch, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. Here are a few tips that will help you plan the perfect dude ranch vacation.
Book Early - Dude ranch vacations are popular, and they fill up quickly. If you want to be sure that you can find a ranch trip that works for your family, you will need to plan ahead.
Choose a Destination That Suits Everyone in Your Family - When you’re booking your ranch trip, keep in mind that you will be spending a significant amount of time at the ranch. Therefore, it is important to choose a destination that suits the needs of each member of your family.
Be Flexible - When it comes to your vacation, being flexible can be a good thing. If your family wants to participate in one specific activity, but the ranch has a waiting list, you may want to consider doing something else that day.
Packing and logistics - Before you leave, make sure to check with the ranch where you will be staying and find out what type of clothing and gear you will need. You don’t want to show up in shorts and flip-flops only to find out that you will need to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes during certain activities.
Safety - When you are on vacation, it is important to keep in mind that your kids may be more prone to injury than if they were at home. So, don't forget to pack your emergency kit in case there is a minor accident you need to take care of while on vacation.
Final Words
When you and your family think about a vacation, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of visiting an exotic destination. However, you don’t have to travel far to find an amazing vacation experience. Dude ranches are rustic retreats situated in beautiful natural settings. These unique guest ranches provide families with easy access to nature, close proximity to horses, and the opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests. If you are looking for the perfect summer vacation for your family, a dude ranch may be the ideal choice. These rustic retreats provide the perfect opportunity for families to connect with each other in an authentic and meaningful way, while also having access to a wide variety of exciting activities.
