A ranch holiday in North America offers a unique and enriching experience for several reasons:

1. Escape to Nature: Ranches are typically situated in rural areas, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature. The scenic landscapes, fresh air, and wide-open spaces provide a rejuvenating environment. Staying on a ranch allows you to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and simpler living.
2. Outdoor Activities: Ranches offer a plethora of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, wildlife watching, off-road SUV rides, archery and even cattle drives. These activities provide a hands-on experience with nature and offer opportunities for adventure and exploration.
3. Authentic Western Experience: North America, particularly in regions like the American West and Canadian Rockies, has a rich history of ranching and cowboy culture. A ranch holiday offers you the chance to experience this heritage firsthand through activities like rodeos and campfire cookouts.
4. Family-Friendly Environment: Ranch holidays are often family-friendly, with activities suitable for all ages. It’s an excellent opportunity for families to bond, create lasting memories, and experience outdoor adventures together.
5. Culinary Experiences: Many ranches offer farm-to-table dining experiences, where guests can enjoy fresh, locally sourced meals prepared with ingredients grown or raised on the ranch. This provides a delicious taste of regional cuisine and a deeper connection to the land.

Overall, a ranch holiday in North America offers a blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion, making it a memorable and rewarding holiday choice for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to experience the rustic charm of the American West or Canadian wilderness.

There’s a great range of ranches throughout both the USA and Canada but they vary greatly so it’s important that we match you with the right ranch type.  There are three different types available: Resort Ranches, Dude Ranches and Working Ranches. So, what’s the difference? Here’s an overview to help you decide which is the right choice for you and the people you are travelling with:

Resort Ranch

Resort ranches tend to be larger properties, created specifically for guests, which offer horseback riding alongside a number of other activities such as fishing, rafting, cowboy cookouts, cattle drives and guided hikes.  Most will also have a swimming pool and many offer a spa. Generally, these will be of a higher standard than other ranch types, with a focus on the accommodations which tend to be in the main ranch house, log cabins and high-end tented cabins. Daily activity schedules, in some cases personalised, are available for guests of varying ages and abilities.

Dude Ranch

Dude ranches (also known as Guest ranches) are geared toward catering for a wide variety of interests and are ideal for those who want an equestrian-based experience. Horseback riding is the major focus of a Dude ranch holiday and although the facilities vary greatly, they tend to have a weekly programme of western activities such as wild west shows, rodeo visits, square dances, barbecues and a host of sports and outdoor activities. Accommodations, although in keeping with the style of property, are less of a focus and tend to be cabins or lodge rooms. Some also accommodate guests in larger homes, with private bedrooms and shared communal areas. All levels of riding ability can be catered for, from novice to experienced, which makes a Dude ranch a great choice for first time ranchers and families.

Working Ranch

This is where you really do become a cowboy! Working ranches raise livestock and crops so guests have a major role to play in the daily working activities. Your activities will be based on the current needs of the ranch, but you could learn how to drive cattle or horses, rope steers, secure livestock by repairing fencing and even try branding and immunising. You’ll enjoy group dinners in the ranch house or around the campfire with the cowboys, and there may even be opportunities to sleep under the stars. Accommodations on a working ranch can be quite basic, including bunk houses, however the hands-on experience is something you’ll not get anywhere else.