5 Dude Ranch Picks for Junior Cowboys and Cowgirls

Dude ranches are sure-fire favorites with children, but how do you know which product is right for you and your family? Gene Kilgore, ranch expert and creator of www.top50ranches.com, www.ranchweb.com and www.ranchvacations.com, offers his five top picks for guest ranches just right for the mini wranglers in your family.

Western Pleasure Ranch. Photo: Courtesy of Kilgore Ranch Vacations

When coming up with his list, Kilgore looked at the attention paid to young guests by staff and the variety of age-appropriate activities at each property. The idea, he said, is to help families bond while on vacation and create memories that will last.

“Take children to a beach and ask them 10 years later to name that beach and they will have forgotten. But take them to a ranch and they’ll remember the name of the ranch and the names of their horses for the rest of their lives,” Kilgore said.

Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch

The Canadian Rockies Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch offers horseback riding, target practice with kid-sized archery equipment, clay shooting with lightweight rifles, river rafting, supervised swimming, mountain biking, fishing, hunting for frogs, building forts and panning for gold for kids aged 6 and up.

Children under 6 can ride around the arena on horses led by wranglers and meet other animals in a petting zoo.

“The first day or so most families tend to ride together,” said host Tyler Beckley, adding, “As children feel more secure and after they’ve made friends, they’re off and running.”

Families reconvene for evening meals, and log cabins of up to three bedrooms accommodate 45 guests.

Nine Quarter Circle fishing. Photo: Courtesy of Kilgore Ranch Vacations

Rankin Ranch

California’s Rankin Ranch has been running cattle at the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada mountain range since 1863, and offers supervised activities for little wranglers aged 4-11. Activities also combine hiking and swimming with ping pong, shuffleboard, archery, badminton and horseshoes. Children 6 and older can take part in twice-daily trail rides through areas where cattle are grazing, and in the evenings they can feed chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, a miniature donkey and miniature horses. They can also brush the animals and collect eggs, take part in hay wagon rides, go square dancing and compete in a children’s race on stick horses they make themselves. Accommodations are for 45 in duplex cabins.

Little Cowboys at Lost Valley. Photo: Courtesy of Kilgore Ranch Vacations, Jen Britton Photography

Lost Valley Ranch

Colorado’s Lost Valley Ranch in the front range of the Rockies welcomes children aged 6 and up to walk, trot and even lope on horseback under the supervision of trained counselors. Tiny visitors aged 3-5 can be led around on horseback to explore the ranch.

“Children learn the true ropes of being cowgirls and cowboys,” said Stephanie Geary in Guest Services. “Sometimes they ride from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Every day the rides are mixed up with games, a creek swim or stories the wranglers tell about the history of Lost Valley.” Other activities include scavenger hunts and themed outings, and cabins with one, two or three bedrooms accommodate up to 85 guests during the summer season.

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch Rough Riders. Photo: Courtesy of Kilgore Ranch Vacations

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

Montana’s Nine Quarter Circle Ranch allows parents to enjoy fishing and riding while their children are learning to ride, fishing or just playing hide and seek. “Our Small Fry group [5 and under] can be led around on horses and supervised while parents spend time in the saddle,” said Sally Kelsey, co-general manager, while Rough Riders, aged 6-9, learn more advanced skills on horseback. Kids aged 10 and up can join group trail rides according to their ability levels, and accommodations are in log cabins of from one to four bedrooms.

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Nine Quarter Circle sandbox. Photo: Courtesy of Kilgore Ranch Vacations

Paradise Ranch

Wyoming’s Paradise Ranch in the Big Horn Mountains has been a dude ranch since 1907. “Our registered brand is fun,” said Clay Miller, managing owner with his wife Leah. “We get a lot of extended families because the kids are totally taken care of. We really emphasize getting the kids — even the teens — outdoors and becoming involved in activities that reattach them to the outdoors. One staff person is assigned to teens and three others to younger guests.” Children age 6 can enjoy pony rides, and older kids ride on horseback, he said, adding the ranch can also accommodate infants. Accommodations for 70 are in newly renovated log cabins with up to four bedrooms.