Instead of watching the kids play video games over school break, wishing you were one of those outdoorsy types, saddle up and become one with the help of a dude ranch. From luxury to old-fashioned family fun, dude ranches come in all shapes and sizes and deliver on the great outdoors. Put these five on your radar and start channeling your family’s inner cowboys and cowgirls.
Horse lovers gallop into the sunset at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort on 500 acres in the Hudson River Valley. A Winter Fun Park and Big Splash Indoor Waterpark keeps kids busy year-round along with live entertainment and plenty of chances for family bonding over a bonfire and a sing-a-long. Rocking Horse Ranch also offers all-inclusive dining and a spa, so you can recharge after a long day in the saddle before heading out again for a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Families have visited Tanque Verde Ranch for more than 150 years, so you know this place has its family-friendly dude ranch vibe down pat. There are plenty of grown-up things to do from horseback riding to a day at the spa, but the daily kids program caters to kids ages 4–12. Buckaroos, Wranglers and Outlaws learn the basics of horse activities along with a variety of fun activities peppered in throughout the day.
If you’ve ever wondered if there’s a World’s First Forbes Travel Guide 5-star guest ranch, there is: The Ranch at Rock Creek. There’s all the usual fun, like horseback riding and mountain biking, but the Little Grizzlies Kids Club invites guests aged 4–12 to learn more about caring for animals at the barn, explore the banks of Red Creek for flora and fauna and enjoy bowling, shuffleboard, movies and more.
Family at Dude Ranch Pasturing Cattle © Diego Vito Cervo | Dreamstime.com
Families are greeted by Georgia’s southern charm at Southern Cross Guest Ranch, where kids learn to ride and dine on farm-to-table dishes. The summers in Georgia may be hot, but the rest of the year offers a temperate climate perfect for horseback riding adventures. After a day riding horses, enjoy a pool heated seasonally, or show your kids your competitive spirit over ping pong and horseshoes. Keep an eye out for special packages often available with kids stay free.
Situated at the base of Spencer Mountain, the year-round Bar W Guest Ranch boasts more than 3,000 acres. Make it your mission to explore all of them with your family. Of course, horseback is at the top of the list of things to do with babysitting services available for kids under 3 so grown-ups can enjoy riding sans children. Cowpokes 7 and older can hit the trails with pony rides, horsemanship lessons, Montana bingo, crafts and more. The Junior Cowpokes have their own big kid adventures with horseback riding, fishing and countryside exploration.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
May 7, 20265 Botanical Gardens Great for Kids
Across the United States, botanical gardens add features to appeal to young visitors and spark their interest in nature and plants. Special sections are designed to appeal to children with activities; play features; sensory experiences; and plant tricks, such as green walls and arbors with hanging gourds or fruit inside.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Teens
May 7, 2026The Only Summer Packing List Your Teen Daughter Will Need
Whether your teen daughter is soon heading off to summer camp, anticipating an upcoming sleepover or already prepping for a summer vacation, add these five items to your daughter’s packing list for a fun and enjoyable summer.
Slideshow
May 7, 20267 Tucson, Arizona, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Tucson, Arizona, with us.
Travel Tips
May 6, 2026Dollar Flight Club Launches Enhanced Platform to Help Save on Travel
Affording travel for yourself is hard enough lately, so, if you’re making plans for the whole family, a little help can be a welcome relief. Dollar Flight Club, a membership travel service that helps find affordable flights for customers, recently launched a new platform to make finding affordable, personalized flight options even easier.
Hotels
May 6, 2026Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Debuts Exclusive Beachwear Collection
This summer, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Florida, recently launched a custom collection of beachwear designs in collaboration with 30A’s premier, family-friendly brand, Love and Grow Clothing Co. From swimsuits to cozy pajamas and cover-ups, the new Hilton Sandestin Collection allows families to enjoy a special summer with 15 resort-exclusive pieces.
ShareThis