1. Drowsy Water Ranch, Granby, CO
Just two hours outside of Denver, the Drowsy Water Ranch has been in business since the 1920s. About 100 head of horses, primarily quarter horses and paints, make their home at the Drowsy Water. Nine individual cabins snuggled beside the creek offer lodging for family or the Horse Thief Den Lodge provides the same accommodations for singles or others traveling alone.
The 650-acre Drowsy Water ranch welcomes children of all ages, even infants. The children's program is unstructured, but comprehensive. Children five and under in the "buckaroos" program are led on smaller horses in a pen. For children 6 to 13 in the Range Riders program, rides are held twice a day. The kids are allowed to walk, lope and trot according to trail conditions and their comfort level on the horses.
2. Paradise Guest Ranch, Buffalo, WY
Join a ranch that has been in operation since the late 1890s at this 100-plus-year-old, family-friendly ranch. Spend the day horseback riding, working with wranglers, learning the ropes of rodeo, hiking or fishing. Kids will enjoy a number of programs geared specifically around getting them closer to nature, including overnight pack trips, kid's rodeo and kid's fishing derby.
Log cabins provide one- to four-bedroom accommodations and feature full baths, kitchenettes, washers and dryers and decks. "Three squares" are provided daily in the dining hall, where you'll sit elbow to elbow with other city slickers.
3. The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, MT
For a luxury dude ranch getaway, the family-owned Resort at Paws Up provides "camping" vacations in what Paws Up calls "Glamping" (Glamorous Camping). Basically luxury hotel rooms under a tent, oversized tent accommodations come complete with beds, chairs, tables, trunks and drawers. Paws Up then provides wildness adventures on horseback, with kids' activities that include wagon rides, pony rides and a "Kids Corps of Discovery" kids' camp with programs for children ages 5 to 12.
4. Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland, NY
Imagine if Disney offered a dude ranch and you can picture Rocking Horse Ranch. First opened in 1958, its owners wanted to skip the rustic and provide a dude ranch with family fun. Not only does the ranch offer unlimited horseback riding, trail rides, hay rides and pony rides, but it features Wild West Shows, bonfire sing-alongs and marshmallow roasts. Oh, but that's not all. Enjoy the indoor water park, an outdoor heated pool, a heated kiddies pool, a lake with Big Banana water rides (fishing, kayaking and water skiing, too), mini golf, tennis, beach volleyball, a game room, Wii... the list goes on and on. So, maybe it's not providing the unique Wild West experience, but it does give a little taste!
Western-themed rooms are found in the motel-style Oklahoma Building or the main building with two queen-sized beds, bunk beds or a six-person sleeper. Children's programs for 4 to 12 include camp-style activities like crafts, hikes, sports and games. Babysitting and a children's nursery are also available (for an additional fee).
5. Sundance Resort, Sundance, UT
Consistently ranked one of Utah's best resorts, the rustic yet elegant surroundings of Sundance includes suites, lofts and mountain home rentals to accommodate families of all sizes. In the summer, Sundance's 10 miles of hiking trails and 25 miles of biking trails can be explored, while rides are least 8 and older can join a number of six-person trail rides over various terrain. (Younger kids can sample 20-minute horse rides at Sundance Stables.) Fly fishing, white water rafting and nature programs are also featured.
For kids, the Nature Center provides hikes and arts and crafts daily, while the Art Shack gives both kids and parents a chance to try their hand at pottery printmaking, and jewelry making classes. Elegance includes a luxurious spa, and kids 9 to 15 are welcome to sample the Younger Set services, as long as mom or dad is with them (like you need encouraging).
6. Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Consistently recognized by the Travel Channel as a "Top Ten Family Resort," Tanque Verde Ranch is one of those dude ranches with a spa and tennis court, mountain biking trails and other activities in addition to horseback riding. The Buckaroos children's program is for kids ages 4 to 6, and the Wranglers are for kids 7 to 11; both include riding lessons and daily trail rides, educational nature programs and more. Parents are welcome to accompany their children for activities or retreat to the resort's Sonoran Spa, play tennis or just relax. Families work together in the "Ride and Seek" scavenger hunt that covers the entire 630-acres of the ranch property. Discounts are given for in-state residents visiting Tanque Verde.
7. Texas Ranch Life, Bellville, TX
Texas Ranch Life is actually three ranches in one, totaling about 1,800 acres. This is a working ranch with fewer coordinated activities for children, but an authentic experience if the time of your vacation includes moving cattle from pasture to pasture or other seasonal needs of livestock. The ranch has a huge herd of Texas Longhorns as well as bison and quarter horses. The land has 15 fully stocked lakes and ponds, but you have to bring your own equipment. Deer, dove and quail hunting are also offered. Accommodations are historic cabins or homes relocated on the ranch.
8. Triangle C Dude Ranch, Dubois, WY
Featuring an 8,000-square-foot, rustic log recently remodeled to include a full-service spa, home theatre, library, pool and fine dining, this dude ranch provides a home-away-from-home while enjoying the ranch. But, forget the luxury and enjoy the ranch's Pack Trips that provide a true sense of the working cattle in the Wild West. Following wranglers on trails on horseback, days end at campsites where you'll gather around the fire for dinner. Back at the resort, kids may prefer the programs geared for ages 2 to 12, including nature-based crafts, sleeping in a tepee and learning the ropes in a junior wrangler program.
9. Wildcatter Ranch, Graham, TX
In Texas, nothing is done small, and this 1,500-acre ranch in Hill Country is big on wide-open spaces. In operation since 1856, the ranch's history has been featured in "Lonesome Dove." Of course the ranch is all about horses and provides group and private rides as well as bull riding training for young cowboys and cowgirls (never fear, no actual bulls are used). Sticking with a Western theme, families can play horseshoes, enjoy wagon rides and watch Western flicks. Or, hunt for fossils, join a scavenger hunt, bike, hike and canoe.
No need for tents at Wildcatter. Sixteen luxury guests that include stone fireplaces are available in its Cabin Suites, as are rooms aplenty in the ranch's hotel. For a more unique experience, rent out the 2-bedroom Homestead cottage, Wildcatter's original ranch house, or O.T.'s Cabin, a two-bedroom, 2-bath guesthouse with full kitchen, dining room and living room.
10. Westgate River Ranch, Lake Wales, FL
Florida isn't all theme parks and beaches. Cowboys and cowgirls can enjoy this authentic dude ranch in Central Florida and ride horses along its winding Kissimmee River trail, improve horseback riding skills and enjoy championship rodeos on Saturday nights. Old-fashioned hayrides, trap and skeet shooting, a petting farm, and catch and release pond are also featured. BBQ facilities are available if you feel like grilling out over an open fire, or enjoy the ranch's Smokehouse Grill and River Ranch Saloon, where the family can stomp their boots while line dancing. Basic guestrooms (nothing fancy) and cabins with up to two bedrooms provide a choice for families of all sizes. Plus, pets are welcome, so you can make this adventure a true family affair.
For more on Dude Ranches, see Dude Ranch Family Vacations, or visit our Dude Ranch Family Vacations Forum. And if looking for resorts offering horseback riding for the family, be sure to search "horseback riding" under our Family Resorts.