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October 20, 2025 – Circle Bar Guest Ranch in Hobson, Montana, delivers wide-open skies, authentic dude ranch adventures, and small-town hospitality. I ride horses, shoot pictures, and write for a living. Hundreds of published travel stories and more than a dozen guest-ranch stays sharpened my eye for what travelers need. With camera in hand, I chased golden light across the Little Belt foothills, tested trail rides, sampled ranch cuisine, and met the wranglers. Use this guide to plan unforgettable horseback days, scenic drives, and unplugged nights under the deep, dark Montana skies.

October 20, 2025 – I’ve logged this year on ranch time and more than a dozen dude ranch visits, so Blackwater Creek Lodge & Guest Ranch in Cody, Wyoming, feels like familiar ground. I chase golden light with a pro photographer’s eye, work tack issues with wranglers because I’m so short, and sample everything guests book—rides, archery, shooting, axe throwing, campfires, and stick-to-your-ribs dinners. I look for smooth check-ins, quiet cabins, and trails that reward the riders. 

October 20, 2025 – Many of us travel to get immersed in culture, but what if your hard-earned PTO could also help you to fulfill a lifelong dream or check an experience off your bucket list? That’s where “skillcations” come in. A skillcation is a vacation where you learn hands-on skills or hobbies

September 1, 2025 – All-inclusive guest ranches let you connect with nature, as well as your inner cowpoke, on the trail, around the campfire and under the starry skies.

July 18, 2025 – Are you looking for a horseback riding vacation near Yellowstone National Park? You’ll want to read my Blackwater Creek Ranch review in Cody, Wyoming. Why select Blackwater Creek Ranch over other Cody, Wyoming dude ranches? If you’ve read some of my guest ranch reviews, you’ll know that I love horseback riding in beautiful locations. All the better if I’m able to visit our gorgeous national parks and national forests while on holiday.

July 18, 2025 – Whether it’s cowboy hats and bootcut jeans showing up everywhere from runways to NYC streets or Stagecoach crowds rivaling Coachella’s, one thing’s clear: cowboy core isn’t over. It’s evolving. Growing, even. And the best way to experience it isn’t by scrolling TikTok or line dancing at a country bar. To really immerse yourself in the movement, spend time in small towns across the American West. 

July 2, 2025 – Bucolic scenes from the Old West, like horseback riding through rolling hills and settling in at a remote hacienda, continue to capture the imagination. These experiences don’t have to be relegated to the past — you can enjoy them in the present while staying at one of these boutique Western hotels or historic ranches.

June 16, 2025 – If you are looking to take a break from the bustling city life, then you are at the right place. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, dude ranches offer the perfect setting to unwind and reconnect with nature. From Colorado to Montana, these 8 luxury guest ranches in the US offer an unmatched outdoor retreat.

June 1, 2025 – Nestled in the high desert of Sasabe, Arizona, Rancho de la Osa is a storied guest ranch where the thrill of being just steps from the Mexican border meets wide open skies and rugged beauty. Explore striking geologic formations and sleep inside thick adobe walls that whisper tales from the 1700s—the ranch is home to the oldest building in Arizona still in use. 

May 29, 2025 – “Cowboy Core” is taking over travel trends, and there’s no better place to embrace it than Arizona. From scenic horseback rides through desert landscapes to luxury amenities in rustic settings to immersive experiences at working dude ranches, the state offers an authentic taste of the Old West. For city dwellers craving an escape, Arizona delivers Western adventures that capture the spirit of the frontier.

May 21, 2025 – If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Wild West movie—riding across sun-drenched hills, tossing back a whiskey in a frontier saloon, or bedding down in a jail cell turned guest room—then saddle up. As someone who’s exploring dude ranches across the American West, I can tell you Tombstone Monument Ranch & Cattle Company isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. 

May 1, 2025 – White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, delivers classic Western vibes with a splash of luxury. Think movie-set charm, daily adventures on horseback, hearty buffet meals, and cozy casitas. Guests of all ages find something to love—whether riding trails, joining fun activities, or stargazing under pitch-black skies. I tried it all and share the details here.

April 27, 2025 –Forget crowded airports and currency exchange – “no-passport vacations” are the hottest trend this summer, with American travelers eager to explore incredible destinations right here in the United States. Recent reports show a surge in domestic travel, with 60% of people wanting to see more of their own country.

April 16, 2025 – Arizona is among the top places to visit in America, and its Office of Tourism unabashedly credits its magnificent natural beauty with making tourism the state’s number one export industry. So, how awesome would it be to see some of the best of the Old West from between a horse’s ears? It’s possible. 

April 11, 2025 – When I landed the plum assignment to cover dude ranches in the American West, I was thrilled to live out a childhood dream. I always wanted a horse, but that didn’t fit our family’s budget.

This year, I will ride horses, rope cattle, groom horses in the stables, practice archery, and shoot guns.

March 19, 2025 – True Ranch Collection announced in March that three of its historic dude ranches have received national accolades. White Stallion and Kay El Bar Guest Ranch were ranked second and third in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards Best Dude Ranch category. White Stallion Ranch and Rancho de la Osa also earned second and eighth place in the USA Today 10Best 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Dude Ranch. All three are located in Arizona.

March 16, 2025 –  Located 5 minutes from downtown Wickenburg and 1.5 hours northwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Kay El Bar Ranch is a western history buffs dream come true. The all-inclusive guest ranch offers horseback riding, archery, sport shooting, hiking and UTV rides through the Sonoran Desert.

March 3, 2025 – Mountain travel can be a thrill, especially when experiencing the outdoor activities at a dude ranch. In a recent Newsweek reader’s poll, ten dude ranches were announced as the best of the best in the Mountain West.

Find the perfect escape below.

March 2, 2025 – As a dudette-in-training, I’m on a mission to learn everything I can about dude ranch vacations in the American West.

My first dude ranch experience was at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona. Less than an hour from my home near Phoenix, this was the perfect introduction to the Western and cowboy lifestyle.

February 18, 2025 – A dude ranch with a focus on families, White Stallion Ranch offers an assortment of perks to draw travelers to Tucson. Daily activities range from hiking and horseback riding to archery and rock climbing. A pool, a recreation room and a petting zoo with rescued animals also delight children, while parents appreciate the ranch’s bar, sports court, hot tub and spa services. Accommodations feature earthen hues and colorful textiles that evoke the American Southwest.