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Big budget westerns inspire movie goers to saddle up

27th March 2013 Print
Lonesome Spur offered by Ranch Rider

Set-jetting, where movie locations dictate our travel appetites, is one trend exciting adventurers – recent reports suggesting 5% of tourism is inspired by the big screen. But, according to Ranch Rider, Disney’s much-anticipated “Lone Ranger” film, due for UK release on Friday 09 August, will have a broader appeal.

Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, comments “New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas feature on the list on filming locations, however westerns usually inspire viewers to take up the reins across the US. They reflect the romanticism of a bygone era and that kind of movie magnetism stretches far beyond any one place or state.”

“After the release of Brokeback Mountain, and more recently, Django Unchained there was a surge of interest in our portfolio of authentic working and guest ranches, countless nostalgic nomads deciding to saddle up. And, with two big budgets westerns out this year, riding holidays are bound to be a popular travel choice. The “Depp Effect” as we’ve termed it, is also sure to give ranch stays “A” list allure – the charismatic actor playing American Indian, Tonto.”

Covering 14 US states, the tour operator offers an extensive list of bona fide ranch stays, each one providing Lone Ranger moviegoers with endless opportunities to get into character and shout "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!"

Texas’ Wildcatter Ranch features a spa and an award winning steakhouse, but this is by no means a sanitised version of the west. An honorary member of the Comanche, Depp is also said to share his ancestry with the Cherokee, who once lived close to the property – cabin no.6 offering spectacular views overlooking Herron Bend, the long lost home of the Native American tribe. While silver bullets are a no go, there’s the option to shoot ‘em up at the six-point clay shooting range, and adventurers can rope, ride and even drive the Angus cattle. 6-nights with Ranch Rider from £939pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, most meals, ranch activities (exc. spa treatments), taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £249 and return flight from £739pp. Year round departures.

Tonto fixes are available in Montana, Arizona and New Mexico.

From the big screen to Big Sky Country: The Lonesome Spur Working Ranch offers Native American campouts, reenactments and Pow-Wows, and city slickers can step into their Montana moccasins and swap their bunkhouse, cabin or lodge room for a night in a teepee. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,025pp (no single supplement) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £839pp. Departures May to September.

Saddle up on an all day ride at Arizona’s White Stallion Guest Ranch, and forge a trail through the Saguaro National forest, with the opportunity to view ancient Native American petroglyphs along the way. The property is a mere 30-minute drive from the Old Tucson Film Studios where visitors are regularly treated to stunt demonstrations, and in true Lone Ranger style, staged gun fights. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £799pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £789pp. Year round departures.

Alternatively, New Mexico’s Double E Working/Guest Ranch runs eco-horseback adventures in the Gila Wilderness, an unspoilt landscape. Composed of creeks, meadows, steep canyons and rocky mesas each journey on the Nature & Native Ruins Weeks will uncover archeological treasures dating back to almost 1,000 years ago, when the Mimbres Indians inhabited the area. 6-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,390pp (no single supplement) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £249 and return flight from £839pp. Year round departures.

The Colorado Trails has its own film set. Depp fans should take a stroll down Main Street, the guest ranch’s western town featuring a trading post, soda fountain, jail, saloon, and authentic to the last, an opera house for live evening entertainment. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,405pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Car hire from £249 and return flight from 849pp. Departures 02 June to 22 September.

For more information, visit ranchrider.com.

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Lonesome Spur offered by Ranch Rider