It’s hard to take care of a farm. The horses need hay, the pigs need corn, the eggs need to be collected – and that’s only the start of the work. But visiting a farm can be easy at a guest ranch, otherwise known as a “dude ranch.”
Dubbed in the late 1800s when the first guest ranches were opening, this nickname referred to Eastern visitors who weren’t used to the hard life of the West. But now a “dude” can be anyone — and today’s dude ranches are for everyone, too.
Far from your typical beachside vacation, dude ranches have you riding horses, exploring the wilderness, and enjoying the peace and quiet off the grid. If that sounds like a dream, here are a few to visit with your favorite Toyota.
Nestled at the edge of the beautiful Kissimmee River, the activities at this 1,700-acre ranch are nearly endless. You can saddle up on a horse for a relaxing trail ride, hop into the river on an airboat, cast your fishing line on the shores, shoot your shot at the archery or skeet ranges, and more. The ranch even offers an Old West-themed escape room.
Perhaps its most popular event is the Saturday night Westgate Rodeo. For two hours, hundreds of people gather to watch regional competitors show off their skills. Performances include bull riding, tricks on horseback, and horse races around barrel courses.
You get to stay on the premises during your vacation — and there are a host of housing options, including an air-conditioned cabin, cottage, teepee, tent, or wagon. But if you’d rather tough it out, the ranch offers tent and platform camping options, too. Visit the ranch’s website to learn more about its lodging and activities.
Dubbed in the late 1800s when the first guest ranches were opening, this nickname referred to Eastern visitors who weren’t used to the hard life of the West. But now a “dude” can be anyone — and today’s dude ranches are for everyone, too.
Far from your typical beachside vacation, dude ranches have you riding horses, exploring the wilderness, and enjoying the peace and quiet off the grid. If that sounds like a dream, here are a few to visit with your favorite Toyota.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo: Orlando, FL
Glamping never looked so good at the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.Nestled at the edge of the beautiful Kissimmee River, the activities at this 1,700-acre ranch are nearly endless. You can saddle up on a horse for a relaxing trail ride, hop into the river on an airboat, cast your fishing line on the shores, shoot your shot at the archery or skeet ranges, and more. The ranch even offers an Old West-themed escape room.
Perhaps its most popular event is the Saturday night Westgate Rodeo. For two hours, hundreds of people gather to watch regional competitors show off their skills. Performances include bull riding, tricks on horseback, and horse races around barrel courses.
You get to stay on the premises during your vacation — and there are a host of housing options, including an air-conditioned cabin, cottage, teepee, tent, or wagon. But if you’d rather tough it out, the ranch offers tent and platform camping options, too. Visit the ranch’s website to learn more about its lodging and activities.
“It’s hard to take care of a farm – but visiting is easy at a guest ranch. ”
Callidora Ranch: Madison, GA
Outside of Athens, central Georgia is a sprawling space of small towns, open fields, and stretches of winding highway. But it’s also home to Callidora Ranch, a dude ranch built for the equine inclined.Named after a Greek word meaning “gift of beauty,” this family-owned ranch is all about horses. It offers guided horseback riding trails, free-range rides across 10 miles, horseback lessons, and more. You can even bring your own horse if you want! Guests stay at luxury southern ranch homes right on the range itself.
A bonus is the farm’s Angus cattle. Raised free-range and organic, these cattle are ethically processed to produce the farm’s delicious beef. The meat can be picked up at the ranch or delivered anywhere in the United States. To learn more about Callidora Ranch, visit its website here.
Shady Grove Dude Ranch: Mentone, AL
There’s something different about horseback riding on a mountain.The prospect may be daunting, but don’t worry. You won’t fall off. Shady Grove Dude Ranch sits atop Alabama’s 2,300-foot-tall Lookout Mountain, stretching across more than 800 acres of hills and fields. It offers horseback riding like any other dude ranch, but its crowning jewels are trails leading right past the famous Veil Falls and DeSoto Falls. And if horseback riding isn’t for you, these paths and countless others are fit for walking as well.
Families can choose three different housing options: the Farmhouse, the Way Station, and the Battelle Cottage. And if you want more options, you can also enjoy golf, swimming, and fishing just across the river at the adjoining Cloudmont Resort. Visit the ranch on Facebook to see what else lies in store.