RanchSeeker Blog

Over the past few weeks RanchSeeker has focused on several popular guest ranch destinations in the USA and we have also highlighted lots of great ranches in those areas. Our first blog post highlighted Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia and Idaho. Then in our 2nd blog post   we featured Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.  For our final blog post about “Where Should I Go on My Next Ranch Vacation?” we will be focusing on the following destinations and guest ranches located in Canada.

Alberta

When you think of “ranches,” “old west” and “cowboy,” the province of Alberta, Canada, may not come immediately to mind. But all that will change when you discover the variety of Alberta dude ranches that welcome guests each year. In fact, Alberta has a long history of western traditions and is well known throughout much of the western U.S. for their ranching background and cowboy heritage. 

From the border of the Northwest Territories to the southern border with Montana, Alberta’s landscape holds something for everyone: rivers, lakes, badlands, the Rocky Mountains and even glaciers! Alberta ranch vacations take full advantage of this province’s magnificent geography. Alberta dude ranches offer activities for every member of the family: horseback riding, cookouts and barbeques, nature trails, white water rafting, wildlife viewing, golf, pack trips, photography outings, fly fishing, mountain biking, birding, cattle drives, hiking and so much more! Alberta ranch vacations create memories that will last a lifetime!

Ranches in Alberta attract visitors with their national park system, dinosaur digs and the fact that the province has 5 of the 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Imagine visiting the Dinosaur digs in the Alberta Badlands in the morning, working on the Alberta ranch with the cowboys in the afternoon, and relaxing in the evening in the hot tub. You can do all this, plus more, at an Alberta ranch. 

At many Alberta ranches you can choose an independent schedule and explore on your own, or have the ranch arrange activities for you including horseback riding, fishing trips, and city tours.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience check out Banff Trail Riders.

Photo courtesy of Banff Trail Riders

British Columbia

One excellent way to enjoy all that this special province has to offer is a BC ranch vacation. This portion of western Canada is home to many BC dude ranches, each of which is set against the spectacular backdrop of Canada’s natural beauty. From the rolling hills of the Cariboo to the foothills of the Canadian Rockies to the Coastal Mountains and throughout this spectacular province is sure to provide your family with memories that will last a lifetime. 

Imagine going for a morning fishing trip, spending the afternoon exploring early settler or local Native heritage sites, and relaxing in the evening with your ranch staff and fellow guests. All this is possible when you visit British Colombian Ranches. Your ranch may also organize horseback trips, cattle drives, pack trips, canoeing, and a wide range of outdoor activities for you during your stay. Be sure to ask about winter options as well.

Photo courtesy of Chilcotin Holidays

It’s no wonder that so many people travel to British Columbia each year to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of this western Canadian province. From majestic forests to breathtaking mountain vistas to magnificent seascapes and more, BC offers its guests and residents some of the most incredibly stunning scenery available anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. British Columbia dude ranches take advantage of the “beautiful BC” landscape and the rich local Native history to attract visitors.

Check out these Super Natural BC guest ranches: Chilcotin Holidays, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Three Bars Ranch and Sundance Guest Ranch.

Photo courtesy of Sundance Guest Ranch

Don’t forget that RanchSeeker’s website provides several ways that you can search for your dream western vacation all of which are user-friendly but if you prefer you can also contact Ashlie@ranchseeker.com for additional assistance.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog so that you don’t miss out on other interesting guest ranch related posts.

Happy Trails!

Trying to decide where to go on vacation is never an easy task. Nowadays there are so many different types of experiences to choose from and a guest ranch vacation is just one of them. RanchSeeker can help you find that perfect ranch vacation that suits your needs. Perhaps you have always dreamed of living the life of a cowboy for a week, or maybe you just like the idea of spending some time in the saddle as well as taking part in other fun activities like hiking, shooting, fishing or simply relaxing in a place that is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. 

Each ranch that you will find listed on our website literally offers “something for everyone” all you need to do is pick the one that best matches your vacation criteria. RanchSeeker’s website provides several ways that you can search for your dream western vacation all of which are user-friendly but if you prefer you can also contact Ashlie@ranchseeker.com for additional assistance. 

Maybe you already have an idea of what you would like to do on your ranch vacation but perhaps you are unsure of where you would like to go especially since there are so many great destinations to choose from. Let RanchSeeker help you with that. Below you will find the 1st installment of several blogs that we will be posting over the next few weeks that describe popular ranch vacation destinations with links to ranches in those areas that you might be interested in checking out in more detail. 

Arizona

There’s really nothing that says “the West” more than the Desert Southwest, and there’s nothing that says “Desert Southwest” more than the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure experience in the Desert Southwest, you’ll find it at any Arizona dude ranch. From the history of Tombstone to the high desert country of Wickenburg, from the beauty of the desert surrounding Tucson to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon itself, there’s nothing that compares to an Arizona ranch vacation. Get away from the crowds, breathe in the crisp desert air and look out over amazing vistas—all this and more is waiting for you at an Arizona dude ranch. Some favorites are White Stallion Ranch, Stagecoach Trails Ranch, and Sedona Ranch.

Photo Courtesy of White Stallion Ranch

Ranches in Arizona take advantage of the desert landscape and diversity of topographical features to attract visitors. Imagine horseback riding through the Arizona desert or eating breakfast on the front porch watching the sun rise over the desert. This is possible at Arizona ranches. With the warm and comfortable climate, many of ranches in the Grand Canyon State are open year-round so it doesn’t matter whether you go in July or December.

California

A California ranch vacation takes advantage of the comfortable climate and variety of picturesque landscapes to attract visitors. From the picturesque Sierra Nevada landscape around Taylorsville, to magnificent ocean views from the Coffee Creek Ranch and Marble Mountain Ranch along the Northern California coast, to the always-sunny weather of Santa Barbara County in the southern part of the state, California dude ranches truly have something for everyone. You may not think of a California dude ranch vacation when you think of the The Golden State, but spectacular Western dude ranches abound in California.

Photo courtesy of Marble Mountain Ranch

Colorado

Colorado dude ranches take advantage of the state’s mountainous, Rocky Mountain landscape, and outback living to attract visitors 

Colorado is known for its spectacular scenery, and it’s no wonder. From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, the landscapes of Colorado are as vast and as varied as the many Colorado dude ranches that are scattered throughout this great state. Whether you want to experience a sample of the Old West lifestyle or just take it easy and enjoy a little rest and relaxation, you’ll find it all on your Colorado dude ranch vacation. 

Photo courtesy of Vista Verde Ranch

Known as the “Centennial State” because of its entrance into the Union in 1876, Colorado has a rich ranching history. That history is evident today in each and every Colorado dude ranch. In addition to soaking up local history, your Colorado ranch vacation will give you the opportunity to enjoy everything from skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides to golf, white water rafting and mountain biking. A Colorado dude ranch truly offers something for everyone in the family!

Being centrally located in the US, guests from anywhere won’t have to travel far to visit a ranch in Colorado. During your Colorado ranch stay, you’ll be able to participate in cattle drives, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. Some Colorado ranches are also working ranches, so you will be able to experience what it’s like to live like a cowboy. Try these favorites Laramie River Ranch, Latigo Ranch, Vista Verde Ranch and Colorado Trails Ranch

Georgia

Ranches in Georgia attract visitors using the natural wonders of the region including the coastal plains in the south to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north. With its rich history and spectacular climate, Georgia dude ranches offer guests year-round accommodations and a heavy dose of Southern hospitality. Enjoy the many museums and historical points of interest in this Southeastern gem. Georgia dude ranches in the Historic Heartland district, located within an hour of Atlanta, provide visitors with magnificent countryside and beautiful weather no matter what time of year you visit.

A favorite dude ranch among visitors is the Southern Cross Ranch.

Photo courtesy of Southern Cross Guest Ranch

Idaho

Idaho dude ranches take advantage of the Rocky Mountain landscape and exciting outdoor activities to attract visitors. 

Imagine going for a mountainous hike first thing in the morning, white water rafting in the afternoon, relaxing next to a warm fire with your hot chocolate in the evening. All this and more is possible at an Idaho ranch. On subsequent days during your stay you may find yourself  horseback riding, relaxing in a hot tub or pool, or even rafting. One favorite is Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. 

Photo courtesy of Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

Idaho offers guests some truly spectacular scenery. Known as the “Gem State” because of its rich gemstone deposits, Idaho dazzles and surprises visitors with its geographical variety and stunning natural wonders. Each Idaho dude ranch takes full advantage of the state’s incredible scenery. From rich farmland to spectacular mountain locations, an Idaho ranch vacation will offer virtually any type of wilderness experience you can imagine.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog so that you can read next week’s installment about great locations for your next vacation.

Happy Trails!

If you have ever wanted to experience the life of a cowboy if only for a short period of time, then this historical Wyoming working cattle ranch is the vacation choice for you. Klondike Ranch is so much more than your typical dude ranch. Here, there is no head-to-tail horseback riding. Ninety percent of the spring, summer and fall is spent horseback riding and working cattle every day.

For those looking for a real adventure be sure to sign up for the overnight camp out at the ranch’s mountain cow camp. Spend 1-2 nights camping out either in one of their bunk wagons or in a tent under a brilliant, star-studded sky. Feast upon open fire cooked meals prepared by the “cow camp chef” while taking in the majestic beauty of the bighorn Mountains. Private outdoor bathroom facilities are provided to ensure your comfort.

If you would rather  spend all your time at the ranch then there are modern, rustic, comfortable cabins, each with their own private bathroom some of which feature kitchenettes and living areas as well. Meals are served family-style in true ranch fashion. You’ll dine on home-cooked, healthy, hearty meals while enjoying good conversion with new friends seated at your table. If you are out on an all-day trip a sack lunch will be provided.

While staying at the ranch you will have the opportunity to become a “ranch hand” if this interests you. This means helping out with the day to day “chores” like: fencing, doctoring livestock, cutting and baling hay, and irrigating pasturelands. Guests love to learn new skills and immerse themselves in the life of a true cowboy.

But that’s not all! Klondike Ranch also provides first-class fishing opportunities, hiking, rodeos, photography excursions, exciting historical tours and other experiences for you to choose from while on your Wyoming vacation.

 There truly is something for everyone!

 Get Adventurous

• Move cattle on a Real, Working Cattle Ranch
• Sleep Under the Stars on Overnight Camp-outs
• Discover the Past on Historical Tour

 Relax & Unwind

• Relax and Soak in Fresh Mountain Air
• Fish Crystal Clear Streams
• Capture Breathtaking Scenery with your Camera
• Unwind Under the Stars in Our Outdoor Hot Tub

 Become Family

• Sit Down with us for Family Style Meals
• Get An Inside View & Become a Part of Wyoming Ranch Life
• Enjoy Modern, Comfortable Accommodations with Rustic Charm

Check out what past guests had this to say about their visit:

 “Fantastic holiday, we all wish we’d been able to stay longer!!”

Joyce M. Aberdeen, United Kingdom (Klondike website)

“Live the life of a Wyoming Rancher ~ Beautiful scenery, Well Trained Horses, Amazing People”

GaPulley. Barnard, Missouri (Klondike website)

 “I have had a dream of being a cowgirl and my week at Klondike Ranch made that a reality.

Patty, Richard, and their family are a warm, welcoming group of people who not only make you feel like part of the family but are there to share their knowledge of local history, the workings of a cattle ranch, and their dining room table for amazing home cooked meals.

The horse I was pared with for the week, Stormy, was a great match as she was gentle and responded well to my attempts at proper commands. Throughout the week, we had the opportunity to ride around the ranch as well as in the mountains with the cattle. I have not seen anything more beautiful than the views around Klondike ranch and loved ever minute of my week there. The hardest part of my week was leaving to come back to reality.”

AEDO1,Falls Church, Virginia ( TripAdvisor)

For an authentic western experience choose Wyoming’s Klondike Ranch and fulfill your dream of living the life of a cowboy or cowgirl.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today. 

If you are looking for upscale luxury, a culturally diverse atmosphere, personalized guest care and spectacular natural surroundings then this Wyoming guest ranch is for you. The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch, located in Shell, Wyoming (east of Yellowstone National Park) combines a real working cattle ranch with great horseback riding opportunities as well as world class fly-fishing and old west hospitality.

With no more than 25 guests per week and a 1:1 staff guest ratio as well as access to 85 horses you will find that the owners and staff are actively involved with your well-being during your guest ranch vacation. In addition to riding, working cattle and fly-fishing, they offer an array of non-riding activities and adventures such as trapshooting, archery, canoeing, hiking, biking, 4x4 tours, and other exciting activities to fill your days. While riding you will experience a unique variety of terrains, biodiversity, climates and scenery since elevations in this area range from 4,200 to 13,200 feet. And with close to 650,000 acres to explore you will seldom ride the same trail twice so be sure to bring your camera! The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is a Riding Guest Ranch with great horses for all levels of riders. Along with Quarter Horses and Paints the ranch also have a growing number of well-trained Mustangs for their guests to ride.

The Hideout Guest Ranch & Lodge, although more of an adult orientated ranch, also welcomes families and is an ideal vacation choice for solo travellers. Many of the ranch’s guests are repeat vacationers. They come back because of the warmth of hospitality, the high-end pampering and excellent, healthy food created by their culinary schooled chef. Accommodations include western-style log cabins that were built in 1992 and recently renovated guest casitas all of which feature your typical creature comforts from home. There is a swimming pond and hot tub for guests to use as well as emerald green lawns and well-lit pathways which connect to the main lodge. While staying at the ranch you will be treated to hearty Western fare and gourmet dinners and the view from the dining room, where meals are served, is simply spectacular! Open all year round the ranch offers many different rates and packages, so you are bound to find a time of year and package that best suits your upcoming vacation needs.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation.

For folks looking for an exciting vacation as well as spectacular scenery, Banff Trail Riders is the perfect choice!  You will discover an aspect of the Canadian Rockies that is only possible from atop a horse, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With the help of your seasoned guides, the majestic Alberta Rocky Mountains will provide whatever type of western-style adventure you have in mind.

Choose from a variety of horseback riding options that range from one hour up to six days spent exploring the backcountry of Banff National Park. Knowledgeable park guides, who have been sharing their love of Canada’s first National Park for over 50 years, will expertly lead you through exhilarating remote trails.

For example, you could select the one hour “Bow River Ride.” Guests are lead along the peaceful Bow River which encompasses thick marshes and grassy meadows as well as varied wildlife. If you are lucky you might even catch an eagle or a hawk soaring high above in the sky. Be sure to take your camera along to document the endless pristine views of the grandiose Rocky Mountains. There are also several other 1-3-hour rides that you can choose from like the “Spray River Ride”, “Sundance Loop Ride” and “Sulphur Mountain Ride” to name a few. 

If you are looking for more time in the saddle, then the multi-day horseback adventure is for you. This is adventure travel at its finest. At night guests bed down in a cozy backcountry lodge or a well-equipped wilderness campsite after hitting the trails. At the Sundance Lodge expect some added luxuries like hot showers, indoor washrooms, comfortable bedrooms with Egyptian cotton sheets, a large country kitchen and a spacious living room with a cozy fireplace. The Halfway Lodge (utilized on longer rides) is a true backcountry lodge with a cozy interior, single beds, and outhouses. It also features a private, one-with-the-outdoors shower. Both provide a classic mountain lodge feel.

Spacious A-frame heated tents with single, double and family tents available do just nicely for nights spent in the wilderness. Each canvas tent sits on a raised wooden platform with comfortable camp cots ready for you and your sleeping bag. There is a large kitchen tent where all meals are prepared, and many social evenings are spent, and clean outhouses and washbasins are available at each camp. A 10,000-volt wildlife fence surrounds the camp and corrals, so you can rest easy knowing that there won’t be any unexpected wildlife visitors during the night.

You will discover that days spent in the saddle and fresh mountain air tends to work up quite an appetite. And although you are miles from civilization you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by the sophisticated hearty meals that are prepared by your backcountry chefs. Fully catered meals include such delights like braised beef short ribs to grilled salmon. Go ahead and ask for ‘seconds’ you deserve it!

As you can see Banff Trail Rides offer many exciting riding and vacation options to choose from during the warmer months of the year but now you can also experience the magical beauty of the winter season as well. Regardless of when you choose to visit you will not be disappointed! 

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today.

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch opens for the season in March and we still have availability. Plus there are several March events in New Mexico to take advantage of!

The beauty of being located in Southwestern New Mexico in the Gila National Forest is our weather. March typically finds most of the country in the grips of unstable spring weather. However, you will find our days to be warm, dry, and most importantly, sunny! It’s the perfect escape for those looking to get out of the cold. For families, it is the perfect place for a spring break adventure! For those who are looking for adult only time, we do have some stays available outside of spring break weeks.

Not only do we have lovely spring weather, but New Mexico itself has some wonderful events for you to enjoy. Read on below for March events in New Mexico.

March Events in New Mexico

First up in March is Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. The museum is located in Las Cruces (4100 Dripping Springs Road Las Cruces, NM 88011). If you are flying into El Paso International Airport, it is a great pit stop on your way to the ranch. Cowboy Days are the museum’s largest event. They take place the weekend of March 3 and 4, 2018. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and you are welcome to come learn more about New Mexico’s ranching traditions. Admission is only $5 for this family friendly event.

Flying into Albuquerque International Sunport? Then be sure to check out the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Spring Show. Located only 6 miles from the airport, it  offers a wide selection of artists and craftspeople. The Festival takes place March 9, 10, 11, 2018 at EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, 87108). The festival is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and admission is only $8 (children under 12 are free). More than 185 artists from all over the country are represented! This is a family friendly event with something for everyone. New Mexico is known for its art scene. Take some time to check out the state’s first major art event of the year.

We still have availability for the first 3 weeks of March and the first week of April, so contact Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch today. Take advantage of both the beautiful spring weather and March events in New Mexico!

For more information about Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch check out their listing on RanchSeeker.

Happy Trails!

*Original Blog post *

Situated on 1100 acres of land that encompasses the scenic beauty of North Idaho guests at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch experience true western hospitality during their stay. Open year-round visitors to the ranch can choose from several different “Adventure Vacation Packages” all of which include lodging, daily horseback rides and three country gourmet meals per day as well as evening entertainment and access to all ranch amenities.

Guests can choose between either a cabin or one of the lodge rooms for their accommodations. Each cabin is different so be sure to explain your vacation needs when booking. All cabins and lodge rooms are comfortably rustic and are guaranteed to provide you with a great night’s sleep. A vacation at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch will reconnect you with nature and take you back to a time when things were simpler. Your ranch stay can be as relaxing or as action packed as you want.

Throughout the year the ranch features special offerings and although anytime during the year is an ideal time to visit for those looking for something special to do this Valentine’s Day Western Pleasure Guest Ranch has you covered.

"Join us at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch for our winter Sleigh Ride Dinner and Concert series! Sleigh rides can be scheduled at 5:00 or 6:00 each evening and dinner will be served at 6:30. Musical performances will follow dinner. A no-host bar will be available for you to purchase beer and wine. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (208) 263-9066.

February 14, 2018 – This evening, local artist Maria Larson will perform soft jazz favorites to set the mood for this romantic evening. Menu TBA. $65.00 per person and $54.00 for children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under are free.

February 17, 2018 – This evening, local artist Maria Larson will perform soft jazz favorites that the whole family will enjoy. The menu this evening will feature Ranch-Raised Beef Prime Rib and Chef's Choice Chicken. $65.00 per person and $54.00 for children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under are free."

This year choose Western Pleasure Guest Ranch for your romantic getaway.

*Sleigh rides and dinners are available anytime throughout the winter season by reservation. *

Please be sure to mention that you heard about this Valentine’s Day Special through RanchSeeker first.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today!

February 14th is just around the corner and although any time during the year is a great time to visit one of RanchSeeker’s beautiful guest ranches Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reason to book a last minute getaway with that special someone in your life. Take romance to the next level and book a vacation stay where you will be surrounded by nature, wildlife, clean air and a star-filled night sky. Get outdoors and ride a horse or try one of the various fun activities available for your enjoyment. When the sun dips below the horizon enjoy a romantic dinner and afterwards take in the breathtaking view of a star-filled sky or simply relax and read a good book before retiring to a cozy room with your partner.

Southern Cross Guest Ranch, considered “One of America’s Best Dude Ranches” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, features quality All-Inclusive vacations in a horse lover’s paradise. The ranch is best known for its exceptional hands-on horseback riding program with unguided riding opportunities, and is also home to well over 150 quality Paint and Quarter horses. Conveniently located in Central Georgia’s Historic Heartland and within an hour’s drive from Atlanta the ranch prides itself in providing good old southern hospitality, delightful accommodations, delectable cuisine and stimulating activities all year round. Here you will rediscover life’s more simple pleasures.

For those of you still looking for a Valentine’s Day getaway Southern Cross Guest Ranch is offering the following special. If you happen to live nearby you can also book a special Valentine’s Day romantic dinner with that special someone.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, just 16 miles east of Sandpoint, Id.  Spanning over 75 years and four generations, riding and herding cattle across the spectacular 2,000 acre ranch property has been their passion and pride for this dedicated working ranch family.  Since 1991, when Western Pleasures first opened its doors to guests, the ranch family and staff has also provided an unforgettable riding experience to its guests, whether newbies or oldtimers, from daily trail rides to helping herd cattle from one pasture to another and a thrilling night ride under starry skies complete with a campfire cookout to get a real taste of cowboy life.

All-inclusive summer packages offer twice-daily trail riding sessions on specially trained ranch bred horses. Guests are carefully matched with their mounts to ensure maximum riding enjoyment throughout their stay, Personalized programs are also available for guests who usually arrive from Sunday to Saturday to take full advantage of the many exciting on and off-ranch adventures. In addition to couples, groups and singles, families are especially welcomed during the summer months when kids' riding programs and activities are in full swing, so parents get to enjoy some downtime with lots of family fun. Along with its excellent riding programs, which include lessons/riding in the indoor arena on rainy days, Western Pleasures has a varied array of non-riding outdoor activities to please every family member, be it skeet shooting, archery, fat tire biking, hiking, children's playground, recreational room games and TV westerns, wagon rides around the property or a soothing soak in the hot tub after an exhilarating day spent outside. Off-ranch activities available include swimming, boat rides or kayaking expeditions on a nearby lake.

Accommodation choices are cosy lodge rooms or spacious, comfortable fully-equipped cabins dotted around the ranch, suitable for families and groups. Included in the packages are three gourmet meals daily in the large lodge dining room or guests can opt to access the lodge restaurant or self-cater in the cabins.

Ranch amenities also consist of a library for some quiet reading pleasure, access to Wi-Fi, an outdoor seating area and a large old-fashioned veranda to sit back on and appreciate the majestic mountain vistas or watch the wranglers bringing up the horses. Just a few of the many thoughtful touches designed to please and expand the western guest ranch experience. What summer vacation could possibly be more unique, happy and healthy for a family than an active, outdoor, fun-filled guest ranch riding staycation with the friendly folk at Western Pleasures Guest Ranch, where you arrive as guests and depart as family....yahoo!

Ranchseeker is just a click away from helping you find this and many other fine ranch properties for that perfect summer vacation for you, family and friends!

Happy Trails!

The following article 1st appeared in Ranch & Reserve Magazine's 9th issue

With 2018 just around the corner it seems like the perfect time to repost this blog ( some edits have been made). What adventures are you planning to tick off your bucket list?

The Oxford Dictionary defines “bucket list” as follows:

Noun

Informal

A number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime: making this trip is the first thing on my bucket list

Origin

Early 21st century: from the phrase, "kick the bucket ‘die’ " popularized by the 2007 film “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman

Ever since “the Bucket List” hit movie theatres worldwide, a bucket list movement has been on the rise and continues to evolve among younger and older generations alike. Websites with titles like “10,000 Things To Do Before You Die"  and “100+ Creative Bucket List  Ideas You Should Add To Your List”  are popular search engine phrases for those looking for inspiration and ideas to help create their own personal bucket list.

Nowadays, more and more people suffer from the never-ending pressure of their day-to-day responsibilities, commitments and overwhelming time constraints. Whether it's a student working towards a degree, a hardworking employee with perhaps a family to raise or a simple case of trying to schedule a “date” with a significant other, life doesn’t leave much time to dare to dream and plan those things you would like to do before, yes….I’m going to say it…kick the bucket!

Health, monetary and career goals along with those endless to-do lists may already be a part of your daily routine, however, a bucket list allows you to delve deeper and ask yourself what do you really want to do, experience, see and learn in your lifetime? There is nothing too big, insignificant or random when making a bucket list.  In fact it can be an incredibly enlightening experience. From a very young age we are taught to consider others before ourselves and as we grow older this can often result in setting aside or putting off things that perhaps at one time were very important to us.

An encouraging and positive aspect of bucket lists is that they are fluid in nature. During a lifetime, priorities will change and things that at one time or another were at the top of the list, may not be so later on. My bucket list is a perpetual work in progress, a constant subtracting and adding of new experiences and goals that I would like to achieve, although there are many “givens” that consistently remain throughout this process. As I grow as a person and am exposed to all the wonderful choices that this wide world has to offer, I find that a bucket list enables me to approach life with an enthusiastic "joie de vivre" as I strive to live life to the fullest.

Everyone’s bucket list is unique. Perhaps it includes an extreme activity like sky diving, swimming with sharks, or bungee jumping. But a bucket list can also be about learning a new language, living abroad, swimming in the ocean for the first time, learning to ride a horse or visiting a country that appeals to your inner self.  The act of making a bucket list allows your imagination to roam freely as you identify and make accomplishing these goals an integral part of your life plan. As C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

An endless.....literally endless list of possibilities exist out there, so when making up a bucket list perhaps a guest ranch vacation isn’t one that immediately comes to mind.....but oh how it should!  Guest ranches provide an unbeatable opportunity to engage in an array of exciting and challenging activities, quite often conveniently close to home or far away in colourful locales. Experience the thrill of trail rides among absolutely breathtaking scenery as you decompress, reconnect with nature and get in touch with your inner “cowboy or cowgirl."  With so many excellent dude ranches to choose from, the following is a short list only to consider when planning your next bucket list guest ranch adventure.

Laramie River Ranch 

Experience the rugged Rocky Mountains at this Colorado guest ranch where horseback riding is the main focus and genuine western hospitality is par for the course. In addition guests can partake in exceptional fly fishing opportunities, naturalist led hikes and wildlife adventures. Live musical entertainment and square dancing at night will enhance your western experience. Accommodations include rooms in the lodge or cozy cabins depending on your particular needs.

Red Horse Mountain Idaho 

This guest ranch is one of Idaho’s best kept secrets. Guests will experience first rate western hospitality, moments of relaxation as well as an extensive list of guided adventures to choose from. With several riding packages at your disposal or activities like mountain biking, 3D archery and kayaking to name a few everyone in your group is sure to be satisfied! Book either the Hilltop Vacation Home (ideal for large groups or families) or one of their cabins or suites.

Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch 

Open meadows, tall ponderosa forests and an abundance of wildlife awaits you at this New Mexico guest ranch. Horseback riders or hikers will marvel at the deep canyons and crystal clear streams that are all part of the Gila National Forest. While you explore the area you will havethe opportunity to learn about the rich history associated with the region. Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch is a small ranch (only 4 cabins) so guests are guaranteed a truly personal atmosphere.

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch 

Wyoming is the perfect playground for those looking for an exceptional experience! With 650,000 acres to explore this upscale working cattle, riding, fly-fishing and adventure guest ranch is the ideal vacation choice. Trapshooting, archery, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking,4X4 tours as well as many other opportunities await the intrepid traveller. Be sure to book well in advance so that you don’t miss out since this guest ranch fills up quickly due to returning guests and word of mouth.

Let RanchSeeker   help you find your ideal guest ranch bucket list destination!