Ride the historic trails

It might have started with resorts at home on the range, but Ranch Rider’s new 2009 brochure is proof that even working cattle ranches are moving with the times and offering more than simply saddling up.

Tony Daly Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments: “The recession might force people to cut back on the number of holidays they take a year, however, the option to have several experiences in a single ranch stay, for example, spa, white water rafting, mountain biking, hiking and of course, riding, means you can bundle all your favourite vacations into one. While currency fluctuations might make the US more expensive, it’s important to remember that holidays across the globe will rise in price, and ranches, which are full board, are often inclusive of many of the activities. In that sense, US ranch stays are still very competitive, especially for families on a strict budget.”

The Wildcatter Resort and Spa offers unadulterated luxury, but this isn’t a sanitised version of the real West. The 4,000-acre ranch, located in Young County, Texas revels in its colourful past: the lodge and its 16 accompanying suites, showcasing pictures of local historical events, their furnishings a vignette of a long gone era. The Wildcatter is only 20-minutes from the famous Goodnight-Loving trail and was the location for two of John Wayne’s Westerns, including “The Searchers,” – an epic based on the deadly Native American raid in nearby Elm Creek. In addition to riding, there are seven miles of thrilling hiking and biking trails running up to the peak of Kisinger Mountain and leading to the archery range.

Alternative activities include rounds of prairie golf through the trees and cactus, fishing in the Brazos River, skeet shooting “on steroids” at the "6 point sporting clay range, ATV excursions and bull riding with the mechanical Mighty Buck. Guests can even take private rides, ending the day with a heavenly massage at the Sage Spa, a mouthwatering 32-ounce steak and a cocktail or two. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,861pp (no single supplement). Departures year-round. Excludes spa treatments, ATV excursions and transfers as car hire recommended.

A working cattle and guest ranch – Long Hollow is based in Central Oregon – the region purported to be one of the most scenic recreational areas in the state. A half way house for guests who want to make more of the West, both in and out of the saddle, the ranch offers fly-fishing in the Spring and Autumn, hiking, horseshoes, badminton, and a half-day white water rafting trip – all of the activities included in the price. Keen riders can indulge in more authentic cowboy pursuits, by fixing fences, moving irrigation and rounding up the cattle; or concentrate on their groundwork with horsemanship classes in the arena. Off ranch guests can roam the antique and quilt stores of Sisters, and experience true old West charm, only a five-minute drive from Long Hollow.

The 100-year old ranch house has also been newly remodeled with its creature comforts retaining their history and flair – feather down comforters and the absence of TV’s ensuring an authentic ambience. Proving that working ranches are moving with the times, even when it comes to hearty cowboy fare, the ranch also offers a ‘fine dining’ experience at the end of the stay. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,460pp (based on two adults sharing). Departures15 March to 30 October. Excludes transfers as car hire recommended.

South Dakota personifies the Wild West, the state home to the Crazy Horse memorial, the Badlands and the Custer State Park. Crow Creek is a small working ranch in Belle Fourche overlooking the Black Hills, yet another historic landscape claimed to be sacred ground by various Native American tribes, including the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Omaha.

Dependent upon the time of year, activities on and around the ranch might include moving cattle, checking and sorting, doctoring, vaccinating, checking fences, roping and branding; and when not out on the range there is an arena for roping and team penning. Offering a little more than the average working ranch, guests can also take time out of the saddle with wagon rides, lake swimming, shopping trips to the nearby city of Belle Fourche, and visits to local attractions and rodeos. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,395pp (no single supplement). Departures May to October. Excludes gratuities left to guests’ discretion.

Unless otherwise stated the above prices include return flight (including all known taxes and fuel surcharges), all full board accommodation, gratuities, transfers, all ranch based riding and activities. Ranch Rider offers flights from the following departure airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Additional departure airports including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds/Bradford, Humberside, Teeside, Newcastle and Norwich are available at a £50-£60pp supplement.

For more information and bookings, log on to Ranchrider.com.