RanchSeeker Blog

Just three hours from Grand Canyon country and two scenic hours by car south of Las Vegas, with en route views of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, this picture-perfect NW Arizona desert ranch, located at the foot of the Mohave and Hualapai mountains, enjoys a warm temperate climate during the colder months, making it ideal for a winter escape dude ranch vacation.  Designed to resemble an old western township, the ranch prides itself on greeting guests like friends and having them leave like family! 

Boasting over 360,000 acres of stunning desert vistas, the Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch  riding program is second to none and can easily accommodate beginner riders along trails of cactus strewn landscape to trotting and loping among desert washes for more experienced riders.  Expert wranglers are always on hand to safely guide riders and help them gain new skills and confidence while deriving the utmost enjoyment during the twice- daily riding sessions.

Back home at the ranch, guests can enjoy a varied assortment of activities which might include a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, a soak in the hot under starry desert nights or billiards, ping pong and nightly socializing at the Frontier Lodge.

Outdoor fun includes archery, cowboy action shooting, wagon rides, mountain bikes, hiking, rental ATV’s and exciting gunslinger nights for a real taste of the Old Wild West, plus skilful demonstrations of roping and bull-whipping in the courtyard by the wrangler staff.

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch offers an all-inclusive package which includes accommodation, twice-daily riding and three hearty, delicious meals per day plus all the many ranch amenities.  Guest accommodations, which can house various sized families and groups, consist of western-themed comfortable rooms that all come with a patio and rocking chairs, including some with courtyards and extra-large bathrooms.

For fans of Glamping, the ranch has recently introduced a large, authentic Conestoga wagon that once hauled freight during the 18th century, which now sleeps five comfortably and comes fully equipped with heating and A/C  for those who want to experience first-hand the thrill of pioneering like in the old days out west.

Owners JP and Tricia McCormick, their sons and dedicated staff work very hard to ensure their guests are treated to the best possible Old West experience and the glowing reviews which the ranch regularly receives is a testament to their success.

For this and other unique ranch properties, look no further than Ranchseeker to help you find the perfect ranch for your perfect ranch vacation.

Happy trails!

Trying to decide which guest ranch to choose for your next vacation can often feel like a daunting task especially since there are so many fantastic guest ranches located in the USA, Canada, Mexico and other countries.  But while you are searching for that “perfect destination” you should definitely consider putting Latigo Ranch  on your short list. Located in picturesque Colorado, situated on a mountainside, the ranch boasts outstanding scenic views that reach all the way to the Continental  Divide a mere 75 miles away.  Latigo Ranch offers its guests a true western experience as outlined below.

All-Inclusive Rates 

What could be better than paying upfront for your vacation and not having to worry about any additional fees, taxes or gratuities at the end of your stay? This eliminates all the financial stress and worrying away since what you see is what you get- no extra fees!

Plus this family owned and operated Ranch offers a “satisfaction guaranteed” policy which means if you are not satisfied you will pay nothing beyond your initial 25% deposit. How’s that for removing any possible anxieties you might have about whether you are receiving a great bang for your buck? 

Endless Activities

-Summer

During the summer season Latigo Ranch offers a plethora of fun activities to choose from that will suit everyone’s needs in your group. Some people choose the ranch for their array of outdoor experiences available and others are simply looking for a relaxing getaway or a combination of both options. You can choose to fill your days with horseback riding, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, shooting, rafting, and more. Or just kick back and disconnect from the digital world while you soak up the spectacular views, relax by the pool or catch up on some much needed beauty sleep in a tranquil setting.

-Winter

Latigo Ranch is a veritable winter wonderland during the colder months of the year. Ski aficionados can either visit just for the day or choose to stay for the week in order to take full advantage of the ranch’s world-class trails. With an average of over 200 inches of snow a year and 50 kms of trails it is truly a skier’s paradise. There are also plenty of other winter activities to keep guests entertained like soaking in the hot tub as well as several indoor games in the main lodge like ping pong, foosball, pianos, board games and more.

Specialty Weeks

During the year the ranch offers 3 unique weeks:

Adult’s Only Week  : (September 10th - September 16th) Savour the quiet….those under 18 years of age need not apply. This week is for adults looking for a vacation in peace and tranquility without younger family members be it theirs or others!

Women’s Week Stay: (1st week of June) Call your BFFs, sisters, mother or any other special women in your life and sign up for a memorable week away bonding with them.

Cattle Round Up :  ( 3rd week in September):  You will locate, gather and move hundreds of cattle from the high mountain summer pastures and spend long but rewarding days in the saddle. This week is for experienced riders only and there is a limited capacity so be sure to book this experience well in advance. 

The Cuisine

Foodies will be delighted with the gourmet, contemporary cuisine served at the ranch which is not only good for you but also consists of hearty fine dining meals. With advance notice the ranch can accommodate almost any dietary restriction. Only the finest ingredients, sustainably sourced (whenever possible) are used in creating memorable dining experiences throughout your stay. This is one time you shouldn’t say “no” to the dessert course.

Your Home Away From Home

During your stay at the ranch choose between a single bedroom suite which is ideal for couples or families of 3 or a larger suite that can accommodate up to 6 people. At the end of the day relax in your modern log cabin which features a sitting room and fireplace or wood burning stove perfect for those cooler evenings throughout the year. Take in the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains from your very own porch during the day or admire a star-studded sky at night.  Each unit comes with a refrigerator so that you can bring all of your favourite snacks with you plus it’s also stocked with complimentary soft drinks. Since you are on vacation, a daily maid service is also part of your all-inclusive rate. 

To sum up the question….it shouldn’t be why you should choose Colorado’s Latigo Ranch for your next guest ranch vacation but rather why on earth not? 

*Please be sure to mention that you heard about Latigo Ranch here first on RanchSeeker’s blog.*

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation.

Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Spotted Horse Ranch has an abundance of outdoor features to offer families, couples and solo travelers. Although relaxing is high on the list of ‘musts’, a stay a Spotted Horse Ranch is never boring!

Choose from fly-fishing, hunting, and a scenic float trip on the Snake River or white water rafting for the more adventurous traveler. For those guests who want to get a taste of the wilderness that surrounds the ranch there are overnight pack trips available. And of course, there are daily trail rides to choose from. Come experience thousands of acres of scenic forest lands. Don’t forget your camera as you will be treated to majestic mountain vistas and valleys of wildflowers all from atop one of Spotted Horse Ranch’s Appaloosa horses.

Two nights a week during the summer months the ranch hosts evening cookouts. Live entertainment provided by local talent and the smell of steaks grilling over an open-fire will take you back to a time gone-by. There is also volleyball, ping-pong, square dancing and horseshoes to try your hand at while taking a break from the more energetic activities. For the ultimate in rest and relaxation, guests are taken to the local hot springs for a dip in the natural “hot tub.” There are even great hikes close by, so you can warm up a bit before, well, warming up!

Guests stay in comfortable individual cabins made of log featuring modern conveniences from home have spacious rooms with private baths and all embody the true spirit of the West. In the main lodge you’ll find the dining room that overlooks the Hoback River as well as a living-room with a beautiful rock fireplace and lounge. Other main features include a sauna, whirlpool, video library, and laundry facility.

A vacation at Spotted Horse Ranch provides adventure as well as perfectly blended moments of relaxation. With a true sense of the ‘old west’ and the hospitality that makes each guest feel at home, this Wyoming guest ranch should be high on your list of “must-see” next year.

Happy Trails!

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

Thanksgiving is a time-honoured celebration that year after year brings families and friends together around a festive table to share traditional foods like roasted turkey, baked autumn vegetables and other favourite family side dishes. It is also a time to give thanks and to count one’s blessings and for many it marks the beginning of the holiday season, including Christmas and New Year’s. Often, Thanksgiving signifies a lot of work for those that have to plan, shop for and prepare everything that goes into organizing such a big occasion. This year why not put the shopping lists and roasting pans away and choose one of the following guest ranches to celebrate this special holiday.

Celebrate Thanksgiving at The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Montana 

The Ranch at Rock Creek combines modern luxuries with rustic ranch living and is nothing short of exceptional in every way. From the spectacular Montana mountains that surround the ranch, to the luxurious accommodations and fine dining prepared by their in-house chef – every element of The Ranch at Rock Creek experience has been carefully considered to exceed guest expectations.

Your Ranch at Rock Creek Holiday itinerary combines American traditions, like feasts and football, with wild pursuits and fireside luxuries. Each morning and afternoon, try your hand at outdoor adventures including mountain biking, hiking expeditions, shooting, archery, horseback riding, fly fishing, the ropes course and geocaching. Thanksgiving Dinner in the Granite Lodge features multiple courses bursting with locally sourced Western delights. Families have more time to enjoy themselves when The Ranch takes care of the activities, amenities and first-class cuisine.

Celebration Details:

The all-inclusive rates include luxury accommodations, all gourmet meals, snacks, premium wine, beer and spirits (excluding reserve wines and liquor), on-ranch activities, daily children’s activities, guides, gear and round-trip ground transportation to and from Missoula, Butte and Anaconda airports upon request.

Rates start at $1,800 per accommodation, per night, based on standard occupancy, plus 20% Ranch Fee.

Minimum three-night stay, based on availability.

*The above offer can be viewed at The Ranch at Rock Creek’s website . Please be sure to mention that you heard about it first on RanchSeeker’s blog.

A Southern Cross Guest Ranch Thanksgiving, Madison, Georgia 

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.

Thanksgiving at Southern Cross is their most popular week of the year and often sells out months in advance. In fact, many of their guests during this time period, return year after year and even book up for the following year while still at the ranch. In addition to their All-Inclusive schedule of meals and horseback riding, they also cook up a large Thanksgiving feast. Oven roasted turkey, baked ham, lamb, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, corn, and green beans, as well as all of the traditional “fixin’s” make this a truly memorable meal.

Also take advantage of Southern Cross Guest Ranch’s Cyber Sale Monday on November 27th at 12 noon EST. (while quantities last)

The 2017 Voucher and Certificate Choices...

Save up to 43%!

Two-Hour Horseback Ride with Lunch or Supper - Stock Up with 5 certificates (up to $101 value each or $505), save up to 40%!... $299 for five (or $145 for two)

 The Very Popular Two-Night, Two-Person All-Inclusive Plan Voucher (up to a $978 value) Save up to 43%!... $554 per stay

Certificates are valid for most dates in 2017 and expire 12/19/2017. Additional restrictions apply. Please see the full terms and conditions including blackout dates here . Price includes all taxes and the new Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee.

However you choose to pass the holiday this year RanchSeeker would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Trails!

In Northern California you will find Marble Mountain Guest Ranch, a dude ranch that combines their exceptional equestrian program with thrilling ranch activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, fly fishing, sporting clays, jet boat adventures on the Lower Klamath and traditional American ranch events. Guest ranch accommodations and lodging include fully furnished deluxe homes and housekeeping cottages (or cabins).

What truly makes Marble Mountain Ranch one of the best locations in all of North America to vacation, is the wide variety of unparalleled adventures possible at their ranch. Keeping families together and engaged in activities suitable for beginners to experts is what this ranch is all about. For many guests, it is the horseback trail riding that is the highlight of their stay. However, the ‘summit to sea’ option ,which includes incredible trail riding opportunities featuring breathtaking mountain views combined with rafting, fly fishing and shooting are also not to be missed!

Marble Mountain Ranch also caters to a very special vacation niche: Grandparent Travel where multi-generations come together while enjoying shared adventures. Creating memories and time well-spent together helps bridge the generation gap between loved ones. The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is a special one indeed and a shared vacation allows the younger generation the opportunity to better connect with their family roots. It can also enable parents some often much needed time for themselves should they choose to opt out of this particular adventure. Grandparent Travel need not only apply to the biological grandparent. Aunts, uncles, and godparents can also benefit from inter-generational travel experiences as well with their younger family members.

By choosing Marble Mountain Ranch grandparents can feel confident that their young charges are in a safe environment. The remote and secure setting of a wilderness ranch eliminates the worry of little ones wandering off and getting lost in a huge resort-like complex. Ranch wranglers, guides, counselors, and owners are on-hand to staff all of the activities offered at the ranch and group safety is paramount.

A guest ranch destination also makes it easier for the urban raised grandchild to “unplug” from the digital world and be more present in the moment. With so many exciting activities to choose from in an outdoor wilderness setting your grandchild will prefer real world experiences over virtual ones. By disconnecting from their digital devices grandparents won’t have to compete for their grandchild’s attention providing the opportunity to truly connect with one another on a meaningful level.

A Grandparent Travel vacation at Marble Mountain Ranch combines a shared passion for adventure that spans generations while providing multiple benefits and memories that will last a lifetime.

 Happy Trails!

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

White Stallion Ranch is a traditional dude ranch located in Tucson, Arizona that has been owned and operated by the True family for over fifty years. Nestled at the base of the beautiful Tucson Mountains on 3,000 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert you will be surrounded by rugged mountains, cactus and unspoiled desert. With several different rides to choose from first-time trailblazers to life-long riders will have ample time to enjoy the beauty of the desert from atop a horse. The True family has one of the largest privately owned herds in Arizona which means they have the right horse for every guest.

White Stallion Ranch offers activities for guests of all ages and interests aside from riding such as hiking or spending the day visiting local attractions like the Saguaro National Park, hot-air ballooning, or golfing. After dinner guests gather around a roaring bonfire under a star-studded sky while listening to the melodic strumming of a guitar complemented by cowboy songs. Large telescopes are available for those who would like to learn more about the sky above. There is also line dancing lessons, nature and animal programs, watercolor classes (with their resident artist Ute Vaughn) and Loop Rawlins’ Wild West Show of Trick Roping, Whip Cracking & Gun Spinning.

For guests who have always wanted to experience a real western rodeo every Wednesday (weather permitting) the ranch puts on an Exhibition Rodeo to entertain and educate visitors. The opening ceremony is a patriotic demonstration of the American flag set to music, followed by a presentation of flags that represent each guest's country. How cool is that?

The ranch’s wranglers, family and friends get together each week to compete in team roping, barrel racing, break-a-way roping and the occasional bull-dogging. While guests are seated comfortably in the bleachers, Russell True from atop a horse explains the skills required for each event, comparting the history and methods of scoring as well as plenty of colorful rodeo stories to entertain all who are present.

The True family has been “rodeoing” for almost 50 years now and it has become a family tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. You won’t find a better place to see and hear firsthand what it takes to ride in a rodeo while gaining a greater understanding of the cowboy way of life.

So if you have ever wanted to experience a real western rodeo as well as stay at a traditional dude ranch White Stallion Ranch is the vacation choice for you.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation.

If you love to play in the snow and adore everything about the winter this year why not consider a vacation at Colorado’s Vista Verde Ranch located just outside of Steamboat Springs? Here, you will enjoy a true winter wonderland experience. As the temperatures drops and snow falls hideout in a deluxe lodge room or a peaceful, luxurious log cabin that range in size from one to three bedrooms. Each cabin features a living room, wood stove, and your very own private hot tub situated out on the deck which is ideal for stargazing on a clear, crisp wintry night.

When you do decide to poke your head outdoors you will find lots of exciting activities to choose from such as taking part in a traditional one horse sleigh-ride accompanied, of course, by a steaming hot cup of chocolate… could it get any better than that? But the fun doesn’t stop there, as you strap on some skis and try a variety of styles of Nordic skiing from classic to skate to back country. In addition there’s snow-shoeing, “fat” biking (bikes with wide tires that allow you to bike across snowy terrain) and snow tubing. And if that isn’t enough you can also take photography lessons, practice your downward facing dog, book a few spa treatments and take part in weekly cooking lessons and wine tastings.

If riding a horse through a blanket of fresh snow is on your bucket list then be prepared to cross it off! There is nothing like sitting astride one of Vista Verde’s magnificent horses with their warm, thick, lustrous winter coats and hearing the crunch of snow beneath their hooves while out on a winter’s day ride. Expect a slower paced excursion that lasts for an hour or so due to snowy conditions and colder temperatures. Whether you have ridden in the snow before or not this is an experience that should not be missed during your ranch visit.

Between adventures in the snow and downtime in either your private cabin or deluxe lodge room prepare to feast upon gourmet meals that balance “ranchy” with fancy ,which are served with perfectly paired wines that will impress even the most sophisticated palates at your table. Vista Verde’s Executive Chef Cholly McGlynn and his full staff of trained and experienced Chefs will happily accommodate any special dietary needs that you may have, if you simply let them know in advance.  With all the fresh air and time spent outdoors enjoying the varied activities available this is one vacation that you definitely won’t need to worry about counting calories.

Families looking for something different to do during Christmas and New Year’s will find that Vista Verde Ranch is the perfect choice to celebrate the holidays. Let the trained staff at Vista Verde take care of all the planning this year and simply show up and enjoy your all-inclusive winter vacation. For those who prefer adult-only vacation times, early January until mid-February are the dates for you. When President’s Day weekend comes around, the kid’s program kicks back into high gear and families are welcome once again through the ranch’s March Spring break weeks until it closes for the season when the snow starts to melt away.

With all the many options and activities to choose from once you get to Vista Verde Ranch, the only thing left to decide right now is what will you pack, when you want to go and with whom to spend your Colorado winter wonderland escape with this year? So what are you waiting for?

Please be sure to mention that you heard about Vista Verde Ranch through RanchSeeker.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation!

According to an old Taoist proverb and often the onset of fall feels a little melancholy as summer winds down, the kids go back to school, adults get restless and leaves change colour!  What better way to embrace this seasonal change byplanning an exhilarating guest ranch fall vacation; a chance to get away fromthe daily routine and embark on activities wonderfully different andchallenging. A fall vacation at a guest ranch can deliver all this and more in that most pleasant interlude between hot summer days and cold winter nights.

A fall vacation in southern climes means warmer daytime weather, less crowded venues and more affordable rates, particularly true of a guest ranch as it settles into a slower paced itinerary after its busy summer season.  Fall can also be the perfect time to try out all the non-riding activities a guest ranch provides, in addition to the sheer joy and freedom of riding outdoors across wide, open country.

The following two ranches offer near perfect fall temperatures in outstanding down south locations, unique non-riding activities which perfectly complement their distinctive horse riding programs.  Whether a guest ranch regular or not,it will come as an added bonus to participate in new, exciting adventures, as changing autumn casts its mellowing influence on these one-of-a-kind guestranch vacation.

“Mi Casa es su Casa”……..is a traditional Mexican greeting to visitors, especially so at Rancho Los Baños; a spectacular 30,000 acre eco-adventure guest and authentic working cattle ranch situated in the foothills of the Sierra Madres in safe,secure Sonora, Mexico, just 55 miles south of Douglas in southeast Arizona.  Guests can be picked up at Tucson airport and driven across the Mexican border to the ranch to be warmly welcomed by owner/host Manuel Valenzuela.  Set in a vast, protected, pristine wilderness area, the ranchis a diverse otherworldly National Park-type habitat of rugged mountains,ravines, box canyons and unfettered riding trails over the serene and remote high Sonoran desert landscape.

Rancho LosBaños Adventure Guest Ranch is a wonderful opportunity for enthusiastic history buffs to get acquainted with its many local attractions such as El CajonCanyon, home to 2,000 year-old petroglyph caves and dwellings or the abandoned 17th century San Jose Jesuit goldmine.  A short distance from the ranch lies the secluded, scenic 20-mile long Lake Angostura and dam (built by theHoover Dam architects) surrounded by towering mountains, such as El Tigre,which houses the last stronghold of Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache. Another interesting spot is Cat’s Claw cliffs, thought to be the hiding placeof outlaws and a long lost gold cache.

Other non-riding adventures include kayaking on the lake, hiking through stunning sculptured box canyons, trekking, geo-caching, bouldering and climbing throughCanyon country, as well as camping, birdwatching, boat tours,fly-fishing,  jeep tours, soaking in thermal baths and mountain biking. 

For more tranquil moments to properly absorb all the natural wonders of this unspoiled and long-hidden Sonoran jewel, the ranch organizes nighttime safaris, wildlife spotting, campfires and stargazing under dark unpolluted skies. The ranch is a remote and off-the-grid noise-free environment, a welcome respite from the non-stop bustle of urban life.

Accommodation at Rancho Los Baños consists of lodge rooms and well-appointed private casitas of one, two or three bedrooms each with lots of natural light, private bath,hot water showers, all powered by solar energy. The casitas are spacious,comfortable and are located at the main Rancho Hacienda with separate communal dining and socializing areas.  All-inclusive and dining packages provide three gourmet home-cooked meals a day, featuring fresh, mesquite fire international and Mexican cuisine.  Snacks and drinks are provided. Guests can buy their alcohol beverages and favourite snacks at a large grocery store en route to the ranch. 

Rancho LosBaños is an opportunity to experience genuine Mexican hospitality, local culture and history plus incredible riding adventures at this amazing ranch,such as the annual week long corrida held in early November.  This legendary cowboy rite of passage is suitable for intermediate to advanced guestriders and involves being part of a team with several hours spent daily in the saddle. Guests get to shadow an assigned skilled ranch vaquero to ensure safety during the adrenalin-charged cattle round-up.  Other ranch guests can observe the cattle being driven home to be treated and housed in the various pens.  This is the thrilling stuff of never to be forgotten memories!  Another fall highlight is Thanksgiving Week Nov. 19-26th which includes a gourmet turkey meal and nightly Latin American wine tasting. Kids under 10 stay for free.

“I want my mind to grow”……..wrote famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sedona Ranch, a Health Retreat Center and riding facility, is just the place to experience a beneficial, mind-expanding fall ranch vacation to open and “grow” the mind.

Set among a2.8 acre beautiful oasis in an Arizona desert filled with breath-taking vistas of sun-lit red rocks, mountains, star-filled nights and Indian heritage sites,Sedona Ranch has mild fall temperatures during the day and cool at night. Surrounded by a National Forest of several hundred acres, the ranch is 15 milesfrom the town of Sedona and just one and two hours away from Flagstaff and Phoenix airports. Sedona Ranch is an easily accessible guest ranch sanctuary that offers personalized healing, holistic retreats, acupuncture, yoga, amedicine wheel and an abundance of natural riding trails.

Sedona Ranch is not your typical guest ranch and has a unique approach to ranch vacations,including many original and intriguing non-riding programs to challenge your curiosity and ultimately open up a new path toward a more meaningful life.  If you have been searching to achieve a better understanding of the yin and yang of your existence and a healthy balance between your daily needsand responsibilities, then come to Sedona Ranch for help at this increasingly popular and glowingly recommended ranch wellness center.

Sedona Ranchorganizes Holistic Healing Retreats for up to 8 Women guests run by owner/operator, life guide and trained practitioner Fernanda Durlene. The retreat will assist guests to get in shape spiritually and physically by means of acupuncture, meditation and breath-work, Acu-yoga, hikes and nutrition. Mealsare organic, dairy and gluten-free. The Equine Therapy sessions teach women the groundwork of horse-riding and self-empowerment. In addition, other specialized clinics are held throughout the year.  During regular ranch activities,Fernanda is available for personal counselling, self-awareness and other wellness therapies such as acupressure, cupping and Reiki energy healing.

Individual riding programs consist of one-on-one sessions with Fernanda or a group session. Equestrian Therapy is a specially designed program for PSTD victims tohelp improve riding skills, mental stability and general well-being.

BYOH is an innovative amenity for guests who bring their own horse(s) with them on vacation.  Sedona Ranch horse camp facilities include arenas, round pens,a mare motel and outdoor fire pit.  Starry night-skies and incredible views come with the territory!   The ranch also has rental space for personal RV’s and trailers and can accommodate up to 8 guests in its comfortable, fully-equipped self-catering cabins/trailers. Fresh eggs and vegetables can be had from the ranch kitchen garden.

Rental ATV’s are available for guests to explore the surrounding terrain and local Indian heritage sites such as the mysterious Shaman cave. Numerous riding and hiking trails are open to guests as well as horse shoe and bocce games.  World Heritage must-be-seen archeological sites, Palatki and Honanki, are 30 minutesfrom the town of Sedona, showing cliff dwellings and rock art by Hopi ancestors.  

Rancho LosBaños and Sedona Ranch offer fantastic fall ranch vacations among panoramic desert and mountainous backdrops and temperate climates. Invigorating riding opportunities and an unusual array of life-altering activities are sure to refresh, recharge and renew the senses in response to a primeval shift of nature, which invokes a timeless inner yearning for change.  What’s not to love?

This article1st appeared in Ranch & Reserve Magazine Vol 2 Issue 6 .Author: SheilanDove

HappyTrails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch today. 

Are you looking for something that is incredibly fun and unique to do on your next weekend getaway? Or are you searching for a way to celebrate an upcoming special event in an unusual way? If so, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch’s Murder Mystery Weekends just might be the place for you.

Country Inn Murder Mystery weekends!

What do Pepi Roni (the pizza magnate), Judge Waylin Payne (of Roadkill, Colorado) and the science fiction author H. G. Wells have in common? Why, they’ve all been murdered right here at our Colorado bed and breakfast – dude ranch!

One of our favorite winter time activities at the ranch is Murder Mystery game weekends. Once a month or so, when we have 8 to 12 willing suspects, we find a poor murder victim sprawled out nearby – “deader than a doornail.” Murdered, and often with the first clue nearby.

Our guests then spend the weekend, between meals and horseback riding, untangling each other’s half-truths, evasions and high jinks. The games are designed for participants who are willing to take a whimsical view of blackmail, larceny, deceit, and murder.

Those of you who are offended by such high-jinks as shady dealings, sordid affairs, and deceptive conduct should not book reservations for these weekends! If you do book, plan on some laughter!

We love hosting these games. Imagine, people come to spend the week-end with us. They exercise our dude ranch horses, they make us laugh like crazy for the weekend, and then they pay us money! What a life!

We can also schedule a game for any time that you might have 8 – 12 people who want to spend the week-end together and play (before dude ranch season begins in mid-May) –perhaps a birthday party or maybe just get away with some friends!

Contact Sundance Trail Guest Ranch for more detail about the Bed and Breakfast Murder Mystery Package

All Country Inn Murder Mystery packages include lodging, meals, a murder to solve and daily horseback ride (weather permitting).

We are also planning a December 31st New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Party!

This will be an “all evening” affair – the game will start with appetizers and then supper and the case will be solved before midnight.

Also included:

Champagne Toast at midnight

Morning brunch

Morning or early afternoon horseback ride.

Do you have a group of friends that would enjoy a Country Inn Murder Mystery weekend together?

Do you have a birthday, anniversary, or other special event that you would like to celebrate with a unique twist?

We can schedule a Murder Mystery at any time that you would enjoy – just round up a group of friends (for a total of either six or eight players or more), book two nights together, and we will take care of the rest!

The games are designed to be played in 3 to 5 rounds of investigation, one round with each meal, starting with Friday supper.

Bookings are limited to the first eight players, and restricted to participants who are willing to take a whimsical view of blackmail, larceny, deceit, and murder.

Those of you who are offended by such high-jinks as shady dealings, sordid affairs, and deceptive conduct should not book reservations for these weekends!

And if you love horseback riding plan on riding our horses each morning after breakfast!

How much does it all cost?

Participating in a Murder Mystery requires a two night stay. We are only willing to stay up to midnight on New Year’s Eve!

Current Country Inn Rates: Consider two nights’ lodging, five meals, two horseback rides, the Murder Mystery event, and just enough free time to enjoy other activities or do nothing at all!

Gift Certificates for Country Inn, massage, and Dude Ranch Vacations are also available, and can be purchased by phone. Also, if you are looking for a unique venue to get married or elope to Sundance Trail Guest Ranch can help you with that too!

*View the original source for this offer here* 

If a Murder Mystery Weekend just isn’t your “thing” be sure to check out what else Sundance Trail Guest Ranch has to offer. Located in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, and open all year round this family operated guest ranch is ideal for your next family vacation and offers dude ranching at its best. For more information about the ranch itself check out our previous blogpost here 

Please don’t forget to mention that you heard about Sundance Trail Guest Ranch through RanchSeeker J

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation.

One wouldn’t normally think that a guest ranch vacation and attending the largest ballooning event on earth would have any common ground but in this case it does. Read on to see what Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch in New Mexico had to say in their recent blog post about this thrilling combined vacation opportunity.

It’s Time for Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017!

Are you planning a trip to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017 this October? If so, consider adding on a stay at Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch! We are located approximately 4 hours south of Albuquerque and still have availability during Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017. The Fiesta runs from October 7-17, 2017.

For nine days in October, visitors from all over the globe will descend on Balloon Fiesta Park. The must see attraction is watching the New Mexico skies fill with hundreds of balloons

“The Largest Ballooning Event on Earth”

There is nothing quite like observing the daily Mass Ascension as the sun brightens the horizon on crisp October mornings. When hundreds of balloons rise to dot the clear desert skies over Albuquerque it is truly a sight to behold. Balloons of all shapes and sizes also add a unique spin on the spectacle.

Ask any New Mexican and they will tell you that autumn is one of the best times to visit New Mexico. The mornings are crisp and cool while the afternoons are warm with highs in the 60s and 70s with calm winds, perfect for ballooning!

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017

Had your fill of balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017? Head on down to Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch for a mountain escape. Autumn is when the New Mexico wildflowers are at their peak after receiving all the summer rains. It is also elk season and you can often hear elk bugling at dawn and dusk. Let our horses guide you into the beautiful Gila National Forest. Ride through deep canyons, across crystal clear streams and atop mountain overlooks where you can gaze upon the brilliant fall colors. As you are planning your trip to New Mexico, check out our Area Attractions page. It includes some other New Mexico attractions our guests have enjoyed.

Contact Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch today to book your Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017 adventure!

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Happy Trails!

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