Indulge your inner cowboy or cowgirl at these 10 ranch resorts.
Enjoying nature doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping in a tent and eating refried beans (though that’s still an option). Travelers around the country are trading in their traditional beach vacations in favor of the natural wonders and open spaces of ranch resorts. These properties, which range from minimalist outposts to lavish retreats, all provide memorable adventures for their guests. Read on to see why the following top luxury ranch resorts across America, which all appear on the U.S. News 2018 Best Resorts in the USA rankings, impress experts and travelers alike.
The Ranch at Rock Creek
Surrounded by western Montana’s rolling valleys, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers a secluded retreat that’s perfect for travelers hoping to channel their inner frontiersman. In addition to activities like horseback riding, sport shooting and naturalist classes, there are a variety of season-specific offerings. Summer visitors can fly-fish in Rock Creek or tackle the property’s ropes course, while winter guests traverse more than 20 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. Accommodations at The Ranch at Rock Creek feel like something out of a Clint Eastwood movie (think: cowhide furnishings and wood-paneled walls), with a variety of rustic-style lodging options, ranging from glamping cabins to a remodeled 19th-century barn.
Cibolo Creek Ranch
Cibolo Creek Ranch, which sits at the foothills of the Chinati Mountains in southwestern Texas, appeals to historians and outdoor enthusiasts. History buffs will enjoy exploring the property’s three restored 19th-century forts, which acted as the hubs of the ranch’s original agricultural enterprise. Meanwhile, photography and nature enthusiasts can embark on guided wildlife watching tours on foot or via the ranch’s Humvee or all-terrain vehicles (photography seminars are available for wannabe enthusiasts). The resort also provides a variety of shooting activities, along with gun rentals.
Triple Creek Ranch
Triple Creek Ranch offers a luxurious sanctuary in the heart of Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. A typical summer day at Triple Creek Ranch could begin with a morning hike from your cabin or house, followed by an afternoon horseback ride and a luxury dinner with wine provided by the property’s on-site sommelier. Or it could be drastically different thanks to the wide range of activities available at Triple Creek Ranch. Accommodations are just as diverse. Guests can choose between one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins, as well as luxury ranch homes equipped with stone fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs.
Lost Valley Ranch
Considering its secluded location next to 26,000 acres of Colorado’s Pike National Forest, Lost Valley Ranch is deserving of its namesake. Visitors don’t end up at this ranch because they can’t read a compass though; travelers have sought out this wilderness retreat since it opened in 1961. Guests can spend their nights in cabins outfitted with wood-burning fireplaces, porch swings and traditional Western and designer furnishings, but sleeping takes a back seat to the versatile adventures available. Visitors can participate in traditional ranch activities, such as hiking, fly-fishing and trapshooting, or opt for the property’s more unique offerings, such as square dancing lessons and cattle roundups and penning.
The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch
The spirit of the Old West is alive and well at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in southern Wyoming. Guests will have their pick of lodging options, including a 700-square-foot yurt, which sits on the far reaches of the ranch and is accessible by horseback. Along with personally prepared meals, yurt occupants also enjoy private outdoor activities, such as pond fishing and archery instruction. More traditional accommodations, such as lodge rooms and cabin suites, are also available. Wherever you choose to bed down at the property, you’ll have access to a variety of activities, including outdoor rock climbing, paintball and yoga overlooking the Platte River Valley.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa honors its heritage while satisfying the needs of modern-day travelers. Alongside the original ranch homestead, which dates back to the 1930s, guests will find a host of modern amenities, including a full-service spa, a gourmet steak restaurant and a wine cellar. Outdoors, lodgers will have more than 6,000 acres to explore, including nearly 75 miles of cross-country ski trails. Visitors can even try their hand at a biathlon, a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Depending on the season, lodgers also have access to zip line tours, paddleboarding, ice skating and fly-fishing.
Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa
Located near Arches National Park, Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa showcases the golden desert vistas of Moab, Utah. The majestic sandstone formations that populate the nearby landscape are the main reason to make the trek to this ranch, but it also offers luxury amenities, including farm-to-table dining, spa treatments and rooms outfitted with private porches and fireplaces. Available activities run the gamut, from making s’mores by the evening bonfire to more adrenaline-pumping options, including skydiving and canyoneering. For those interested in a more traditional ranch experience, guided horseback rides and hikes are available.
Spring Creek Ranch
Spring Creek Ranch is located on East Gros Ventre Butte in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and sits within 1,000 acres of open space, creating a prime environment for wildlife watching. Visitors can sign up for year-round safaris to the nearby national parks and wilderness areas, with unique options like snowshoeing through Yellowstone National Park in the winter. Numerous activities are available on-site and nearby, including heli-skiing and whitewater rafting. When it’s time to bed down, Spring Creek Ranch provides a variety of cabin-inspired lodging options with log furniture, wood-burning fireplaces and Grand Teton views.
Wildcatter Ranch and Resort
Wildcatter Ranch and Resort in north central Texas offers a traditional ranch experience without skimping on luxury or relaxation. When you’re not on a guided horseback ride, trying your hand at archery or hiking your way through the Texas Hill Country, you can enjoy gourmet meals at the on-site restaurant, relax at the infinity-edge pool or indulge in a therapeutic massage. Other on-site activities include sport clay shooting and Jeep tours. Accommodations, which are spread across the ranch’s 1,500 acres, feature exposed wood and stone, scenic views, fireplaces and Western-style decor.
Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort
Set on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch in Solvang, California, Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort is an ideal option for guests who want to unplug and enjoy decades-old traditions. Rooms are devoid of modern amenities, such as telephones, TVs and minibars, and men are required to wear jackets during dinner. Visitors can expect luxurious digs with arched ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces and custom artwork and are encouraged to make the most of the resort’s activities, which include horseback riding, fishing and barnyard tours, along with typical resort activities, such as golf, tennis and cycling.
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The 10 Top Luxury Ranch Resorts in the USA originally appeared on usnews.com
