Best Dude Ranch?
 

Message: We (family of 5--3 Boys ages 10,13,15) are looking for a great dude ranch, good riding instuction that's included in price, lots to do otherwise, not too large or resort-like, nice clean accomodations. Please help us out!!

Anyone ever hear of 7 D Ranch? Rim Rock?

very few dude ranch includes lessons in
the rates...
A good ranch with a good riding schedule is the white stallion ranch in
Tucson : there are 2 slow rides/day and 2 fast rides/day, 2 mountain hikes/week and 2 all day rides/week.
A good rider can so ride till 4 times/day...There are also team penning every day.
Ther is no ride on sunday==>so avoid to be there if riding is the main goal...
They do have a web site :
whitestallion.com
We go there every year since 1998 with our 2 daughters.(16 and 10 ys this year)
Erik and Anny.

Not sure what state you are looking into or if it matters. There are many dude ranches in Bandera, TX. We stayed at the Twin Elm. I highly recommend this type of trip for a family.

As an experienced horsewoman, I'd advise taking riding lessons in your hometown before going to a dude ranch. You'll not only save money, but since you'll already be accustomed to handling a horse, you'll get more out of the riding you'll do at the dude ranch. Your boys are at the age where they'd probably love to work cattle and rope, but they will definitely need to know how to ride at the canter comfortably before they can do these things.

We liked Cherokee Park Ranch in northern Colorado. Lots of riding- including an overnight trip, trout stocked ponds, fly fishing, pool & hot tub, skeet shooting, teepee night for kids(parents have a champagne dinner that night) wagon rides, line dancing, and more included. White river rafting, trips to Cody, and other stuff for additional. Very nice, but not resort like. You stay in nice cabins with private bath and coffe wake up in the morning.

We also loved the Flying U in British Columbia. Again, you get little cabins. These are more rustic with a pot bellied stove and firewood, rocking chairs on the front porches. The bath house is separate.

Riding is unlimited...you get a saddled horse every morning and choice of sack lunch or come back to eat. No escorts, just a map and miles and miles of trails (don't worry, the horse will absolutely not let you get lost. They know the way home!)

There is a lake with canoes if you are not into riding at the moment. Activities include campfires, an old fashioned bar for adults, line dancing, and other stuff.

We were lucky enough to go when a middle school was also there, so our daughters were able to join in their talent show and horsey competitions. Very reasonably priced, especially with the Canadian exchange rate.

Both ranches were happy to give tips, help on riding, but not really formal lessons. My husband had never ridden before Cherokee Park, but they helped him learn as he went along.

For more info on other ranches try Eugene Webb's "Ranch Vacations" or the ranch wacations web site. We found his reviews very accurate.