Have you ever wanted to live like a cowboy? You can try it out this summer with a dude ranch vacation in the Wild West.
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While most vacationers flock to tropical destinations, these luxury ranches offer one-of-a-kind experiences for the whole family. These destinations offer more than your typical cattle ranches. With whitewater rafting, fly fishing, skiing, mountain biking and horseback riding available at your fingertips, your trip to the Wild West will be one the whole family can enjoy.
Check out the best dude ranches North America has to offer.
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Montana
This all-inclusive Montana dude ranch provides an all-encompassing ranch experience. You can stay in comfort while experiencing some of Montana's best fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Visitors have access to the resort's cozy cabins, a golf course and three meals a day. And after busy days of exploring the outdoors, you can kick back with campfire sing-alongs.
R Ranch In the Mountains, Georgia
You don't have to trek all the way to the Wild West to experience all that dude ranches offer. Located in Dahlonega, Ga., R-Ranch in the Mountains brings the guest ranch experience to the East Coast. R-Ranch offers woodsy cabins with an unmatched view of lakes and the north Georgia mountains. You can get a taste of real ranch life with the resort's authentic rodeo, the Annual Mountain Top Rodeo.
Tanque Verde, Arizona
Tucson's Tanque Verde Ranch gives cowboy country an extravagant makeover. The upscale resort offers all-inclusive vacations in rustic adobe cabins. The resort features regional cuisine and additional amenities, like spa treatments, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and a catch-and-release lake. Arizona also offers several other guest dude ranches, like Rancho de los Caballeros and Elkhorn Ranch.
Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, New Mexico
New Mexico's Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch offers family vacations that will make you feel like real dude ranchers. An inclusive vacation at Geronimo Trail features scenic horseback rides through New Mexico's Gila National Forest. But after a day full of activities at this adventure guest ranch, you can unwind with a soak in the nearby Riverbend Hot Springs.
Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, Colorado
This Colorado dude ranch offers guest ranch vacations year-round. In the summer, you can enjoy hiking, fishing and rock climbing. And in the winter, come back to this Colorado guest ranch for horseback riding in the snow and stargazing from the Jacuzzi. In addition, the state offers other notable dude ranches, like Vista Verde, Home Ranch and Elk Mountain Ranch.
7D Ranch, Wyoming
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This Wyoming dude ranch is the perfect place to connect with family and nature. It's a premiere destination for hiking, fishing and horseback riding. In addition, it features the breathtaking mountain landscape that made Wyoming ranches famous. Plus, you can make a quick day trip from Cody, Wy., to the nearby Grand Teton National Park. And in the winter, it's near some of the United States' best skiing in Jackson Hole.
