Best Luxury Ranch Vacations in the USA

Vast plains, where the sky goes on forever, jutting mountain ranges decorated with clusters of forests, it’s hard to comprehend the enormity of the landscapes you’ll encounter at one of these guest ranches in the USA. It’s the kind of place where humanity pales in significance to nature. You’ll be transported to a different world and find a restorative, exhilarating adventure waiting for you. Ride through wildflower meadows and rushing blue rivers, go fishing, take nature walks, spot moose and bison, sit around campfires under the stars and hunker down in rugged, cozy cabins.

Known as dude ranches, the expansive estates introduce guests to an authentic cowboy experience, complete with cookouts and family-style dinners. Historically luxury dude ranches in the USA were all about riding horses, and that’s still a big part of the appeal, but now they have so much more to offer. You don’t even need to be able to ride to make the most of a ranch vacation thanks to the impressive array of activities on offer.

Many of the ranches are screen-free areas, with a few having TVs in the bedrooms, and it’s worth noting that phone signals can be intermittent. These vacations are all about switching off in the wilderness. And, because their locations are so remote, you will usually need to take two flights to reach your accommodation. A ranch stay makes a fantastic add-on to a beach vacation in California, for example, or if you’re just planning one stop, make sure it’s for at least a week.

Read on to find out all you need to know about a Wild West adventure.

Top Luxury Ranch Vacations in the USA

We offer a whole range of ranches including top-end luxury ranches, all-inclusive dude ranches and family-friendly ranches. Nothing is more quintessentially American than the cowboy experience, whether it is the focus of your vacation or part of a wider itinerary, our specialists can recommend the best location for you from first-hand experience.

The Luxury Ranch Resort

All the ranches in the USA that we work with at Scott Dunn are high-end, however, if you’re looking for a ranch vacation in Montana, one of the most exclusive is The Ranch at Rock Creek, a Relais & Chateau property. This is true Big Sky Country and among acres of pristine landscape are four different styles of accommodation. Cabins, tents, a lodge, and a barn have been beautifully designed to reflect their heritage and provide an authentic experience for guests. You’ll find four-poster beds, cozy rugs, free-standing baths, and archetypal porches from where to breathe in that fresh, fresh air. A top tip for those planning a ranch vacation for couples, choose the Trapper Cabin with its romantic hot tub and fireplace.

There is a spa where treatments embody the spirit of the area too, focussing on connecting you with nature. A mix of different restaurants also take their lead from the surroundings, offering up farm-to-table fine dining, as well as more casual options like a picnic fireside breakfast by the river or a chef’s grill under the stars. But perhaps the best thing at a luxury ranch like The Ranch at Rock Creek is the attentive service. Staff-to-guest ratios are usually one-to-one or more, with personal guides and cowboys taking you out on excursions, cattle herding and teaching you to lasso. There are also many non-horse related activities on offer, making this a great option for ranch vacations for beginners. There’s fly-fishing, shooting, biking, and the chance to visit nearby ghost towns. To top it off, there is a heated outdoor pool, bowling alley and movie theater – all of which are included in your stay.

Another of the best luxury dude ranches in the USA is the adults-only Triple Creek Ranch, in Montana. Pairing charming rustic style with complete isolation, this supremely peaceful setting has 25 log cabins looking out onto the Bitterroot Mountains. Rooms are decked out in a charming way with log walls, modern bathrooms, and hot tubs. Food is gourmet, complete with wine pairings and staff are ready to pamper you. Fill your days with horseback riding, hiking, fishing, white-water rafting, cowboy hat-making, playing golf, or simply relaxing by the pool.

The All-Inclusive Ranch 

For a complete change from hectic city life, head to the unspoiled, wide-open spaces of Brush Creek Ranch, a fantastic option for ranch vacations in Wyoming. This all-inclusive guest ranch in the USA can be found on 30,000 acres of sagebrush prairie and rolling hills. It comprises three resorts—the Lodge & Spa, Magee Homestead, and French Creek Sportsmen’s Club—each with its own style and focus. The Lodge & Spa is the main property, while Magee Homestead is an adults-only luxe addition, and French Creek is geared towards keen hunters and fishermen. Part of the joy of this cattle ranch being all-inclusive is that you pre-plan the twice-daily activities you want to join before you arrive and then leave your wallet in the room.

Led by enthusiastic guides, they help guests make the most of the ranch’s immense land with hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fly fishing, and more. From sunrise yoga to spirit tastings at the on-site distillery, late-night s’mores and cooking lessons, the list of experiences is endless and varied. Because there’s so much to do and, as everything is included, Brush Creek Ranch is ideal for ranch vacations for families. Guides can tailor activities based on guests’ abilities, so kids, parents, grandparents, and extended family members can share experiences without anyone feeling left out. There’s also a Lil Wranglers Club so parents can enjoy some alone time while the kids hang out with guides and play games, do arts and crafts, go rock climbing, and discover the ranch.

The Mountain Retreat 

Colorado is all wide skies, glassy rivers and valleys scattered with ranches. While many of the dude ranches in the USA that we work with have incredible mountain views in the distance, Dunton Hot Springs is one of the few which is actually in the mountains, it feels as if the scenery is on top of you. An hour from Telluride, in the San Juan National Forest, this former ghost town and natural hot spring is now a picture-perfect ranch. Nine of the fourteen mining-era cabins made from planks and corrugated iron were relocated here from other parts of Colorado adding to the romance of the place. Inside, there are bison-skin rugs, cowhide throws and plenty of Wild West-themed additions, including free-standing baths and outdoor showers.

Food follows the tradition of the big cattle outlaws, all sitting together at a long antique table in the Saloon, the heart and soul of Dunton Hot Springs. But you can eat in your cabin if that’s not for you. The Colorado Rockies setting is an adventure playground ideal for horse riding, hiking, river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing and archaeological tours in the desert. After a long day, sink into one of the five hot springs or hit the spa for a hot stone massage or meditation session.

Taylor River Lodge, also in Colorado, is another ranch in the USA engulfed by the mountains. Offering up a more intimate experience, with just six cabins, this ranch prides itself on activities like fishing and mountain biking, rather than equestrian experiences. A well-stocked trout pond and stretch of semi-private river are both moments from the cabins, while serious anglers can arrange trips on the nearby Gunnison River. Meanwhile for bikers, the charming mountain town of Crested Butte and its world-famous single-track mountain bike trails are just 30 minutes away.

The Adventure Ranch

Going on vacation to a dude ranch in the USA is an adventure no matter where you stay but some ranches focus on more high-octane activities than others. Once such place is The Resort at Paws Up, Montana. This magnificent, 37,000-acre property on an extensive cattle ranch outside Missoula has 28 luxury homes, ranging from two-story pine cabins with either a wood-burning stove or stone fireplace and outdoor hot tubs, to secluded lodges with unbelievable views from every window. In summer, guests can also stay in a luxe tent pitched along the Blackfoot River, which comes with copper baths for two and a camping butler. The line-up of outdoor expeditions and activities is unbeatable, you’ve got quad biking, cattle ranching, canoeing, cattle croquet, hot air balloon rides, go-karts, river adventures, wagon driving lessons, shooting, archery, and endless water sports on its floating island lodge. Horse riding is also a highlight here, with more than 100 miles of beautiful trails. The food is just as notable, with two restaurants to pick from, plus several casual, alfresco dining options too.

Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa is found amongst the red rock landscape of the American Southwest made iconic by Hollywood in Western movies. This non-working dude ranch in the USA, which spans 240 acres just beside the Colorado River, has a whole host of adventures for guests, from horseback riding, hiking, kayaking and canyoneering to white-water rafting, skydiving, and hot-air ballooning. It’s also a gateway to the famous Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

Cabins hold between two and 12 guests, some with kitchens, and all with spectacular views of either Moab’s iconic rocks, or the flowing river from private patios or balconies. The separate, four-bedroom, four-bathroom Ranch House is perfect for groups of friends or ranch vacations for families. Sorrel River is hot on sustainability with a greenhouse and kitchen gardens providing fresh ingredients for meals at the River Grill.

The Best Time to Go a Ranch Vacation

The best time to visit ranches in the USA is between May and October. This is when the weather is sunniest and driest – perfect for all the outdoor expeditions. Highs reach 44˚C in the summer, while spring and autumn are cooler, ranging from 20-28˚C. Many ranches are open in the winter too, offering up snow activities like skiing, sledging, and snowshoeing. The USA is in the northern hemisphere and follows the same seasonal pattern as the UK, read more about the best time to visit the USA.

Are Ranch Vacations Worth It?

This is a completely different type of vacation to a fly-and-flop beach retreat. Visiting a luxury guest ranch in the USA is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – although one that many people repeat several times. Not only do you get a taste of what life is like for cowboys now and in the past, but a ranch vacation cleverly allows you to switch off and reset with no chance of feeling bored or fidgety. There is something for everyone, not just the keen equestrians and anglers, but also walkers and mountain bikers, families who want to reconnect and nature-lovers, even those who’d prefer a slow-paced vacation. Food and drink at these ranches are fantastic too, from the hyper-locally sourced fine dining to the well-stocked cellars and on-site distilleries. You’ll never forget a cookout under the stars or being wrapped up in blankets and roasting s’mores with your loved ones. The stories and memories you’ll come back with from a ranch stay will become epics within your vacation history book.

Book a Ranch Vacation to the USA

To find out which ranch would best suit you, contact one of our USA Travel Experts by filling out the online inquiry form. They’ll be more than happy to guide you towards the perfect location for your next vacation.