- by Erick Young
The cold wind blows in your face as you stare across the prairie from your trusty steed. It's your job to help bring the herd in, because your vacationing on an American working ranch.
Want to see if you have what it takes to live the romatic life of a cowboy? Or maybe you enjoy the satisfaction of a hard days work with your hands. Then again, maybe you just like horses and fresh air. Whatever the reason, there are many opportunities to live your dream on your next vacation. If you just want to kick back and relax, then forget it, but if your ready to roll up your sleeves, here is a sampling of the features and prices of working ranches that are happy to welcome guests.
Most ranches offer a variety of activities and family programs. Many also offer discount time periods. Prices include meals. All of the following ranches may be contacted directly or booked by a travel agent. To book online, visit www.gorptravel.com which has a long list of working ranches, including all those discussed here.
Paradise Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming offers riding, fishing, swimming and hiking. Surrounded by over a million acres of the Big Horn National Forest, there is plenty of roam to roam. Primarily available in summers, a week runs from $1,100, with up to 70 guests.
Wilderness Trails Ranch in Durango, Colorado offers horseback riding and riding instruction, water-skiing, and a river raft trip. Also, kid and teen activities, swimming, fishing, hiking, 4x4-ing, western dancing, campfires, a hot tub and hayrides. Near Mesa Verde Nation Park. Weeks run from $1,440, with up to 48 guests.
Dripping Springs Ranch in Mountainair, New Mexico offers horseback riding and guided hiking. Also massages and spa, luxurious accomodations, gourmet food on 7,000 acre ranch. Near red rock mesas, old copper mines, old cedars and setter's ruins. Weeks from $1,120, with up to 44 guests.
Bar BK Muleshoe Ranch in Prescott Arizona offers cattle work, hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation. 43 sq. miles of natural terrain. From $750 per week, with up to 27 guests.
Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga Wyoming offers riding and instruction, fly fishing and instruction, hiking and biking. On the "miracle mile" of the North Platte River. From $975 per week with up to 24 guests.
King Mountain Ranch in Granby Colorado offers horseback riding and instruction, children's program, scenic trail rides, fishing, swimming, tennis, trap and skeet shooting, and bowling. On a 50 acre lake. From $1,225 per week.
Laughing Water Ranch in Fortune, Montana offers riding, fishing, hiking, children's programs, square dancing and 'Mountain Man' demonstrations. Near the Canadian border. From $625 per week, with up to 32 guests.
Rock Springs Ranch in Bend Oregon offers horseback riding, children's programs, a swimming pool, hot tub, tennis, fishing, massage and gourmet meals. On 12,000 wooded acres. Weeks from $1,584 with up to 50 guests.
Prices reflect rates advertised in September, 2000.
