Looking for a fresh take on adventure travel? Ranch holidays could be your perfect escape. Imagine the exhilarating highs of horse riding and cattle drives set against the stunning backdrop of North America's great outdoors. It's a unique way to experience the continent, far removed from the typical theme parks and bustling cities.
We've curated a list of our favourite ranches, each offering something special. Some are best visited during certain seasons, while others provide both summer and winter programmes. For ranch activities, we suggest Arizona and Utah in spring and autumn when the weather is cooler. Meanwhile, Montana and Wyoming are beautifully warm and sunny from July to September. Ready to saddle up for an unforgettable adventure?
Arizona
White Stallion Ranch, Tucson
Only two hours from Phoenix Airport, this characterful property offers horse riding, rock climbing, and archery, plus amazing family facilities, including a games room. This all-inclusive stay has a brilliant Adventure Package embracing the activities mentioned plus meals, available on a four-night minimum stay. Rooms have private patios with views of the cactus gardens, mountains, or corrals, and many have patio fireplaces, making them the perfect place to recharge after a day in the wild.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tuscon
With plenty of horse riding and trekking on the agenda, this place is halfway between a ranch and a resort, with more comfortable and spacious accommodation than some options, all designed with traditional Santa Fe-style architecture. It has a full kids’ activity programme, with fun things to do for all ages, from grooming horses to desert discovery trips and guided fishing. Meanwhile, you can sneak off and enjoy some time in the spa and book in for a rejuvenating treatment.
Grand Canyon Western Ranch, Meadview
This is another very accessible option only two hours from Las Vegas and just 16km from the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s a particularly good choice with younger children, with cowboy musicians singing by campfires and lots of activities to keep them entertained. Once owned by a notorious 19th-century gunfighter, this Old West-style resort occupying a secluded cattle ranch has cowboy-themed decor and pine cabins with porches and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.
Utah
Sorrel River Ranch, Moab
This adventure playground is upmarket and offers a more luxurious take on ranch life. It has an on-site activities coordinator, which makes it easy to plan exciting activities for the whole family. One popular activity is where kids can learn to be a wrangler – feeding and watering, collecting eggs from the chickens, and caring for the horses, ponies, and other farm animals. It’s a great experience to get them closer to nature and learning essential ranch skills in a fun way.
Montana
320 Guest Ranch, Gallatin Gateway
Close to Yellowstone and Big Sky, this is perfect for those wanting a classic ranch experience suited to a less flexible budget, as you only pay for the activities you specifically want to do. It also has a selection of log cabins to choose from and changing programmes for the different seasons. Think horse riding and fly fishing, plus made-from-scratch, innovative food at McGill’s Restaurant and Saloon.
Wyoming
Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole
Great for multigenerational families, who can book private horse rides together, this popular property has mountain villas with up to five bedrooms – and you might even see a moose in your backyard! It’s also very handy for the natural delights of the Grand Teton National Park. Visit during the winter and you can take part in activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice-skating.
To book your epic ranch holiday in the USA or Canada, contact one of our Travel Counsellors today.
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