Guest Ranch Honeymoon

Wide-open spaces, fresh air, breath-taking views, the sound of hooves on the trail. . . . The days when everyone traveled by horse may be over, but the romantic allure of horseback riding isn't. Fortunately, it's still possible to hit the open trail, thanks to the hundreds of guest ranches (often also called dude ranches) that open their doors to "city slicker" types.

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There are two types of guest ranches: the "resort" type that exist primarily to offer hospitality to paying guests, and the "working ranch" type that exist primarily as a real ranch operation that welcomes guests as a sideline.

No, you don't need to know how to ride a horse in order to enjoy your honeymoon at a guest ranch—most welcome beginning riders with riding lessons and other expert guidance. And while you could go on an overnight pack trip into the wilderness, you don't necessarily have to rough it: many ranches offer very comfortable accommodations, and some even offer the sorts of amenities you would find at a resort (swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts, and so on).

Many guest ranches offer some sort of honeymoon package (see the link at RanchWeb below)—but most ranches also cater to families. If you prefer to avoid kids on your honeymoon, book it during an adults-only week (most ranches sponsor these) or choose a rustic, remote guest ranch.

Is this honeymoon idea for you?

Yes, if you are looking for an active honeymoon in a unique setting—especially if you love horseback riding and the outdoors. But if your honeymoon would be ruined by saddle sores, sun, and sweat (see "The Cow Herdin' Honeymoon," below), then consider incorporating a short horseback riding experience into a different kind of honeymoon. And don't pressure your future spouse into a guest ranch honeymoon, especially if he or she is nervous about horseback riding.

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Cost

A guest ranch honeymoon will cost a couple between $560 and $2,690 for a week-long stay at one of the guest ranches profiled on this site, according to the ranches' websites at the time of this writing.

The Triple J Ranch offers a six-night package that includes all meals, lodging, and activities for $1,345 per person (not including various fees and taxes); 4-9 day wilderness trips are $245 per day per person, not including taxes. Kay El Bar charges $325-$370 for two people per night, or $2,200-$2,450 for two for a week. The Pinegrove Ranch offers a six-night, seven-day package that ranges from $559-$930, depending on lodging, season, and discounts for early reservations. Before you book your vacation, be sure to ask about extra expenses beyond the room rate.

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Activities & Attractions

Hundreds of guest ranches and outfitters will help to make horseback riding part of your honeymoon. Here we've selected just a handful to illustrate the range of options available to you. Note that these descriptions are summarized from each operation's website; be sure to confirm information before planning your trip. And it doesn't hurt to check reviews of your guest ranch at the websites listed on our destination guides page.

A Montana Wilderness Guest Ranch

The Triple J Ranch near Augusta, Montana, is literally surrounded by nothing but gorgeous views. It sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Front, overlooks the Sun River Canyon and Gibson Lake, and is nearby the famous Bob Marshall Wilderness—all 1 million acres of it. They don't call Montana "Big Sky Country" for nothing. The ranch accommodates up to 20 guests, who stay in comfortably appointed log cabins (private bath, refrigerator, and western decor are the norm) and eat together in the main lodge.

• Camp under a starry sky. The Triple J will take you on morning, evening, or all-day trail rides through the mountains. Or, take a 4-9 day horseback riding trip into the breathtaking Bob Marshall wilderness, home to elk, mule deer and whitetail, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, black bear, and lots of trout. All you need to camp under the stars is your sleeping bag; Triple J provides the rest.

• Go fly fishing. When you're not riding the trails, try your hand at fly fishing (this is the landscape of A River Runs Through It, after all)—the ranch offers fly-fishing instruction for the uninitiated.

• Explore ancient history. Explore the fossils, Indian pictographs, and buffalo jumps near Sun River Canyon. Or head to Chateau, 50 miles away, to visit an active dinosaur dig.

• Relax in a dozen different ways. Collect the abundant wildflowers, catch a nearby rodeo, go hiking, tell tall tales around a campfire, or soak away your stress in an outdoor jacuzzi.

• Hit Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park, world-renown for its beauty, is only 100 miles away—the perfect end to your wilderness honeymoon.

An Intimate, Historic Guest Ranch in the Desert

If you are looking for something a little more simple and intimate, look for a ranch like the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, located in the Sonoran Desert near Wickenburg, Arizona. Built in the early 1900s, the Kay El Bar is on the National Register of Historic Places; guests stay in thick-walled adobe dwellings surrounded by towering salt cedar and eucalyptus trees.

The Kay El Bar is only open to guests from October through April, when temperatures in the desert are most tolerable. It's a relatively small guest ranch, hosting no more than twenty-four guests at a time. That, plus the fact that school is in session for most of the time the ranch is open, might make it a good guest ranch for a honeymoon. Here are a few the ranch's offerings:

• Ride off into the desert. The ranch's trails take you through the stark beauty of the Bradshaw Mountain foothills "cantering up a desert wash, climbing rocky ridges for mountain views, or ambling along gentle foothill trails," according to the ranch. Guided rides leave twice daily in groups of no more than six people. All-day rides on Sundays feature a picnic lunch..

• Eat well. Large "cowboy-style" meals are cooked from scratch three times a day and served by the fire in their dining room or under the stars.

• Gather around the fire. You won't find a television in your room, but you won't miss it. Besides the beauty of the desert at night (the stars are especially bright in dry air), you might gather in the guest living room by a large crackling fire to listen to cowboys and western entertainers sing and share cowboy stories and poetry; a local historian and naturalist are featured weekly.

• Head into town. Head into historic Wickenburg for shops, galleries, and the Desert Caballeros Western Museum await you in . Jerome, which is a mining town is only a half day ride is also fun to see, as well as visiting the city of Sedona known for their scenic mountain red rocks.

• Visit the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is only four hours away, making it the perfect add-on to your trip.

A Guest Ranch Resort

Located in the Shawangunk Mountains near Kerhonkson, New York (yes, you can find western guest ranches in the East), Pinegrove Ranch boasts of a beautiful setting as well as a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Yes, it's a ranch—but it's also a full-service resort, perfect for couples who would like to go horseback riding but don't want to spend all day on the trails. Here are some of the activities they offer:

• Hit the trails. Guided group trail rides are offered daily through hilly woods; mounts are available for all skill levels.

• Go on a cattle drive. "City Slicker Cattledrives" are for anyone who always dreamed of being a cowboy (or cowgirl!). Feel what its like to be in charge of dozens and dozens of cattle from the back of a horse (with the help of an experienced guide, thankfully).

• Play in the great outdoors. You don't have to be on horseback to enjoy the great outdoors: fishing, nature walks, beach volleyball, and rock climbing are just a few alternative outdoor activities offered at the ranch.

• Play in the great indoors. What if you have the unfortunate mishap of rain during your honeymoon? No problem. The ranch also has an indoor pool with double waterslides, nightclub, game room, and fitness room. Or, get a massage for all those sore riding muscles.

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Links

The Cow-Herdin' Honeymoon

"You never forget your first cow butt." With those immortal words, Lauren Muney opens the amusing yet enlightening account of her honeymoon at the N Bar Ranch Outlaw Land and Cattle Company: "We wanted cattle. Horses. Dirt. No humidity. Trees, sunshine, and the best part: a honeymoon we would never forget."
 

Gordon's Guide to Horseback Riding Holidays

Lists more than one hundred western horseback riding holidays across North America: dude ranch vacations, cattle drives, working cattle ranches, horsepack trips, trail rides, and wagon train vacations.

The Dude Ranchers' Association

Search for a dude ranch by state, season, and activity; ranches can be sorted by price. Also has a frequently asked questions page.

Guest Ranches of North America

Lists guest ranches throughout North America; search by state, season, and activity.

RanchWeb.com

Provides a more comprehensive list of dude and guest ranches than the Dude Ranchers' Association.

• Honeymoon packages: This page lists more than 60 ranches that offer honeymoon packages (be forewarned, though, that the websites for several of the listed ranches didn't appear to offer any honeymoon-related information).

Lake Mancos Ranch

Website for Lake Mancos Ranch (pictured above).

Kay El Bar Ranch

The website for the Kay El Bar.

Pinegrove Ranch

The website for Pinegrove ranch.

Triple J Wilderness Ranch

Website for the Triple J.

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Your honeymoon story

Have you done this trip (whether on your honeymoon or other travel)? We'd love to hear about your experience so we can share it with others . . . just drop us a line.

Last Updated: January 31, 2005