Explore 12 Sizable American Ranches Accessible for Visits
Discovering America's Largest Cowboy-Themed Vacation Destinations
Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you explore some of the most extensive ranches in the United States, offering a unique cowboy-themed vacation experience.
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Emigrant, Montana
Spanning 9,000 acres, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch provides a variety of cowboy experiences with horseback riding and Western-themed accommodations. Guests can stay in unique lodgings, each featuring stone fireplaces and rustic views [1].
Eatons' Ranch, Wolf, Wyoming
Eatons' Ranch, dating back to 1879, is a historic 7,000-acre ranch that offers an authentic dude ranch experience. Guests can choose from 200 horses for rides twice daily and stay in Western-themed log cabins or suites with stone fireplaces and leather furniture [1].
King Ranch, Texas
The largest ranch in the U.S., King Ranch spans 825,000 acres and is famous for cattle ranching, thoroughbred horses, and recreational hunting. While it's primarily a working ranch, it's known for its scale and Western heritage [3].
Vermejo Ranch, New Mexico
The largest privately owned ranch in the U.S., Vermejo offers a luxury guest ranch experience, combining vast landscapes with upscale accommodations [5].
Eatons' Ranch and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
For a fully immersive cowboy vacation with lodging, horseback riding, and Western ambiance, Eatons’ Ranch (7,000 acres) and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch (9,000 acres) are outstanding choices. Vermejo Ranch offers a luxury approach on a very large scale.
The Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, Yucca, Arizona
The Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch spans 400 acres and offers access to an adjacent 300,000-acre land for horseback riding [1].
A Bar A Ranch, Encampment, Wyoming
A Bar A Ranch covers 100,000 acres and has 100 miles of trails for horseback riding [1].
C Lazy U Ranch
C Lazy U Ranch offers twice-per-day horseback riding, weekly interactive rodeo competitions, and a working cattle ranch experience [1].
Alisal Ranch, Solvang, California
Alisal Ranch provides a range of dining options, including fine dining in the Ranch Room and lunch at the Chuckwagon Grill, offering items like beef tartare and braised beef cheek pasta [1].
C Lazy U Ranch, Granby, Colorado
C Lazy U Ranch offers a luxurious dude ranch experience on an 8,500-acre property with high-end amenities like a spa, a sommelier, and a 400-wine list [1].
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch offers up to twice per day, hour-and-a-half to two-hour horseback rides, as well as once-per-week all-day rides [1].
Vermejo Park Ranch, Raton, New Mexico
Vermejo Park Ranch is nearly the size of Rhode Island, with over 560,000 acres and a variety of wildlife and landscapes [5].
For those seeking a more rustic cowboy experience, Eatons' Ranch and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch cater to this desire, while Vermejo Ranch offers a more luxurious approach. Each of these ranches provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the Western lifestyle and create lasting memories.
[1] [Source 1] [3] [Source 3] [5] [Source 5]
- After an exciting day of cowboy-themed adventures, you can unwind by shopping for travel guides or fashion-and-beauty items in the gift shops at these ranches.
- If you're planning a trip to one of these ranches, don't forget to research food-and-drink options to ensure you're satisfied with the dining choices, as some offer gourmet meals.
- While at these ranches, if you have a pet, you might consider bringing them along, as some ranches are pet-friendly.
- If you're traveling by car to any of these ranches, be prepared for long drives, as they're located in rural areas.
- When you return home from your cowboy-themed vacation, you may find that your relationships with family and friends are strengthened by the shared experiences and memories created on your trip.
