Anyone who imagines a dude ranch to be little more than a bunkhouse with outside bucket showers, a cracked mirror for shaving and pork and beans for supper, will be mightily impressed by the high levels of comfort to be found in the not-so-wild west of North America. Several ranches also offer spas, golf, swimming and tennis. 
Recommended tour operator: Western & Oriental
Western & Oriental says
With more than 90 ranches in 16 states across the USA and Canada, there are thousands upon thousands of acres of cowboy country waiting to be explored, whatever your standard of riding.
No two ranches are the same, and they vary from large resorts with luxurious amenities down to small working ranches where you literally become one of the ranch hands.
Even those who have never before sat in a saddle can enjoy the cowboy experience, and you can do as much or as little riding as suits you.
The range of other activities on our dude ranch holidays is enormous. Try your hand at whitewater rafting, fishing, skeet shooting, line dancing, cattle driving, camping out in the wilderness, visiting – or even starring in – a rodeo. Alternatively, you can simply lie back and relax beside the pool.
For a relaxing stay, opt for one of our preferred Resort ranches, where you’ll be amazed by a high level of service in fantastic locations, such as Tanque Verde and the adult only Triple Creek.
To get a better taste of the wild west, we recommend a Guest ranch, where you’ll be able to see the real cowboy lifestyle and feel like you are on a movie set. Our most popular Guest ranches are White Stallion (ideal for families), Goosewing Ranch and Elk Mountain.
For the ultimate cowboy experience, head to a guest working ranch, such as Black Mountain and Rocking Z Ranch where the wranglers will show you the real cowboy way and you can even help them out.
You can also combine a week on a ranch with another holiday experience – perhaps a glitzy city break in Las Vegas or a tour of one of America’s national parks.
Click here for more about dude ranch holidays in America and our worldwide special offers.
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