Summer Family Trip - Looking for Ranch/Resort
 

We are looking for a place for a family vacation this summer. We are a family of 2 parents, 2 kids (19, 15). We are all very active and are looking for a trip west (we are from NY). We think a resort/ranch type place would work best. We would like to be able to horseback ride, hike, swim (pool), kayak, etc. And we would like meals either included, or restaurant facilities on the premises. And wonderful scenary would be great! I am thinking that a 2 bedroom condo unit at a ranch/resort might work best.

So far I have begun looking at places in Wyoming and I have come up with Spring Creek Ranch. Anyother suggestions?

Thanks,
Susan

Cherokee Park Ranch north of Ft Collins in Colorado. Or check out Ranchweb.com for a very comprehensive listing with very accurate descriptions. Better hurry...the good places often book up by now.

We are headed to Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch resort in Stanley, ID. It is our first trip so I cannot rate it. However, the ranch offers fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rafting and is located in one of the most spectacular areas I have ever visited. Check it out.

I spent a couple of minutes looking at Ranchweb and it looks great. But I have a question - does it make sense to go to a ranch with riding included if only two of the four of us will ride? It looks like a lot of these places include unlimited riding in the cost and I am not sure if that makes sense if only two of us will ride?

None of us are riders in my group and it is almost a given that we are paying for something we won't use. We love the location and the food is supposed to be first rate, so we are going in spite of the horses.
Would you consider going to the Canadian Rockies? One of my favorite places there is near Canmore, about an hour from Calgary. It has a lot of the features you may want, but no horses. check www.mountengadine.com

It may not be exactly what you're looking for but Chico Hot Springs between Livingston, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone Park has horses, swimming, and a great restaurant. It is also close to the Yellowstone River for rafting or fishing. They also have a wide variety of choices for rooms or cabins.

http://www.chicohotsprings.com/

At many, if not most, ranches, activities such as horseback riding are included. You'll limit your options significantly if you try to find one that won't charge you for it.

Lonesome Dove Ranch
Kila, Montana

www.lonesomedoveguestranch.com

Did you try searching for the guest ranch association's website? They would have a list of their members by location.
Many years ago we stayed at the K Bar Z, near Red Lodge Montana. Very nice for fly fishing and riding, little log cabins, meals served in a small lodge. Very Mom and Pop. Not much to do there except fish and ride, though. Probably not for you.
There's the C Lazy U, near Granby, Colorado. It's got an indoor pool, lots of activities, a nice lodge for meals, different choices for lodging, horses (of course). I've not stayed there myself, but have friends who like it. As opposed to some guest ranches that are really far-removed on county roads (like the K Bar Z), it's close to Grand Lake and Winter Park for other options, like raft trips, boating, dining, movies, etc. It would be easy to find things to please all ages. But it books up fast.

There are several ranches/resorts near Big Sky Montana. Since riding is just one part of your plan, I would recommend one of these as the Big Sky area and Gallatin valley is gorgeous. The Gallatin River runs through the valley (used in filming parts of the Robert Redford "River Runs Through It" movie)and you have terrific hiking in all directions plus you are about 45 minutes from Yellowstone National park if you are so inclined to make a day trip there. You also having whitewater rafting on the lower part of the river, fly fishing/fishing, riding, etc. I love the Rainbow Ranch (definitely more of a resort than ranch located right on the Gallatin river), the Lone Mountain Ranch, and the 320 Ranch (the most focused of the three on horses and traditional ranch atmosphere in my opinion). There are many more ranches in that area - my family has a house in the area so I don't often stay at these places but love the area as I am an avid hiker, fisherwoman, and overall outdoors person but I also like comfort and good dinners. There are excellent and diverse restaurants in the area as well (from the super casual Corral Bar burger/steak joint to high end cuisine)....

Take a look at the Quest for the West tour offered by the new Disney tour company called Adventures by Disney. The website is adventuresbydisney.com. The trip is for 8 days 7 nights. You leave from Jackson Hole, WY to Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and 3 nights at Brooks Lake Lodge. All your meals are included and activities are all included-biking, horseback riding, boating, rafting, hiking, fishing. You travel in a small group of around 30 with 2 tour guides and no children under 8. We are going in July, can't wait!!