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From romantic horseback rides on the beach to the real cowboy experience at dude ranch resorts, we have something for everyone’s vacation vibe. Saddle up for this roundup of the best family horseback riding vacations across the United States!
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D & K Ranch – Interlaken, New York
Visitors will find D & K Ranch in the middle of Finger Lakes National Forest in New York state.
When our family visited D & K Ranch, it was our boys’ first time riding a horse. I loved that our trail guide explained things so well. I spend a lot of time worrying about my kids and making me feel at ease isn’t a simple feat! We also loved roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the nearby firepit, making meals in the fully-stocked kitchen, and waking up to horses outside our window!
Even young kids can saddle up and hit the trails!
Photo by Rosie Blamey on Unsplash
There are 16,000 acres of horseback riding trails around the resort, and a Wrangler matches guests with a horse that fits their skill level and riding style upon arrival.
Choose from a ranch house, cabin, or a fully furnished grain silo – the ranch house has a hot tub to relax in after a long day of riding.
Things to Do Near Interlaken
D & K Ranch is nestled in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy panoramic views of the nearby lake while sampling wine at Lucas Vineyards or learn about the history of winemaking at Airy Acres Vineyard. Take a short drive to view the scenery.
Families can also visit Lively Run Dairy, a local goat farm! Here, visitors can bottle-feed goats, learn about cheese-making, or try one of the cheese flights with a variety of goat cheeses. They also have special events like goat yoga!
Crossed Sabres Ranch – Cody, Wyoming
The whole family will enjoy Crossed Sabres Ranch, which has an incredible 2.2 million (yes, million!) acres to ride through the Shoshone National Forest and Rocky Mountains. Each guest starts the week being matched with a horse to fit their riding level and the type of ride they are looking for. Then, beginners can take lessons in the arena before exploring shorter trail rides. For the experienced rider, Crossed Sabres offers an all-day horseback riding expedition with a packed picnic lunch.
Families can disconnect from the digital world in nature’s world without WiFi or cell phone reception. This all-inclusive dude ranch includes three meals a day and plenty of activities – archery, clay shooting, fly fishing, rafting, and a tour of Yellowstone National Park.
Crossed Sabres Ranch offers a weekly schedule and a full ranching experience, so guests arrive on Sunday and check out on Saturday. They are only open 14 weeks during the summer months and accommodate families or small groups.
Learn about real cowboys in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West!
Photo by Judy Beth Morris on Unsplash
Things to Do Near Cody
Explore Western history in the “Buffalo Bill Center of the West.” Learn about real-life cowboys at the Buffalo Bill Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum. Or, walk the historically created village of Old Trail Town, dine at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant, or explore the nearby Kerwin Ghost Town – it’s rumored to be haunted!
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Bitterroot Ranch – Dubois, Wyoming
Bitterroot Ranch is the perfect dude ranch vacation for families that love horseback riding, regardless of the type of ride they’re looking for. Guests stay in cozy cabins, dine on gourmet meals made with local ingredients (many from the farm), and enjoy morning and afternoon rides to explore different areas of the Shoshone National Forest.
Giddy up!
Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash
Other activities include yoga, hiking, and fly fishing. There’s even a friendly cattle-driving competition near the end of the week! Horseback riders and enthusiasts can also take clinics to learn more about connecting with horses, horse whispering, mindfulness and horses, and riding.
Things to Do in Dubois
Bitterroot Ranch is the perfect place to get away from the crowds, with its horse farms 30 miles from the nearest city. Still, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are close enough to explore!
C Lazy U Ranch – Granby, Colorado
This all-inclusive resort has won numerous awards from Wine Spectator, USA Today, Oprah Daily, and Travel & Leisure. Guests who visit C Lazy U Ranch, stay in cabins that balance rustic charm with luxurious amenities. Explore the resort via horseback or take a ranger tour!
In the warmer months, guests can enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking, fly fishing, hatchet throwing, paddleboarding, or the ropes and zipline course. With snow on the ground, guests will love snow tubing, ice skating, and sleigh rides.
Experience views like these from the riding trails!
Photo by Ashlee Marie on Unsplash
C Lazy U Ranch also offers year-round horse rides, a pool and hot tub for families to enjoy, and gourmet cuisine. Kids’ and teens’ clubs are included, which is great for kids of all ages to enjoy themselves while parents have some adults-only time.
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Plus, we love the dining setup, which differs from other dude ranches. Family meals are offered for breakfast and lunch. At dinner, kids are supervised and eat with friends while adults enjoy fine wine and seasonally inspired menus.
Things to Do Near Granby
For family fun, check out The Foundry Cinema & Bowl or Grand Aventures Hot Air Balloon Rides. Spend some time on Lake Granby, the third-largest lake in Colorado, take a short hike to see Adams Falls, or explore the 1.5 million-acre Arapaho & Roosevelt National Park.
The Resort at Paws Up – Greenough, Montana
Looking for beautiful scenery and miles of trails without the dude ranch experience? The Resort at Paws Up is a glamping vacation the entire family will love. Stay in luxury cabins, secluded tree houses, or safari-style tents.
Stargaze away from the light pollution of big cities!
Photo by Sam Goodgame on Unsplash
During the day, participate in 70+ all-inclusive activities like archery, geocaching, horse riding, hot air balloon rides, dog sledding, skiing, shooting activities, fly fishing, and go-karts. Or, guests can just relax at the spa. After, roast s’mores on a campfire or look for stars. Paws Up also has several options for dining, from an outdoor chunk wagon to fine dining with a seasonal tasting menu.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”f8dqY” via=”no” ]Grab your boots and saddle up for our roundup of the best family horseback riding vacations across the United States! [/ctt]
Things to Do in Greenough
Paws Up offers plenty of activities for a great time and as a farming community, there aren’t a lot of attractions. However, guests can visit spooky Garnet Ghost Town or go wildlife watching in Glacier National Park.
Mohonk Mountain House – Hudson Valley, New York
Enjoy the great outdoors at Mohonk Mountain House, an all-inclusive resort sitting on 40,000 acres of land. The rate includes dining, pool access, most activities at the resort, and the kid’s club. Explore 85 miles of trails on foot or by horseback or participate in activities like kayaking around the lake, relaxing on the beach, fishing, swimming, tomahawk throwing, rock climbing, and golf. Guests can also go snow tubing or ice skating in the winter!
Horseback riding on the beach? Yes, please!
Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash
Things to Do in Hudson Valley
Families straying from the resort should visit the New York State Museum, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Storm King Art Center, or the Motorcycle Museum.
Or, take Instagram-worthy photos at Hudson Athens Lighthouse, Walkway Over the Hudson, or Minnewaska State Park.
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