Saddle up and take your little cowboys and cowgirls on the Wild West adventure of a lifetime. There are ranches in Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming to suit all riding abilities, from complete novices to rodeo dudes. All offer plenty of opportunities for reining in and trying out other activities, like hiking, fishing and crafts.
Recommended tour operator: Inspiring Travel Company
Inspiring Travel Company says
With a choice of more than 40 ranches in seven states across the USA, there are thousands upon thousands of acres of cowboy country waiting to be explored, whatever your standard of riding.
Options vary from luxurious resort ranches with a host of activities and amenities to small working ranches where you literally become one of the ranch hands – and you can do as much or as little riding as you wish.
Our specialist ranch team will tailor-make your holiday to match the activities you are interested in and your riding experience. Here are their top five choices for families.
White Stallion Ranch is in Arizona. It’s extremely comfortable with restaurants, a bar, regular cook-outs plus tennis courts and swimming pool. Children aged five years and above can go on escorted trail rides without mum and dad and will be kept entertained with plenty of activities, including a petting zoo, sports court and games room.
Some of the wildest riding country is in Wyoming. We recommend Goosewing Ranch, a tranquil retreat. Children aged six years and above can ride on the trails and there are up to two hours of kids activities per day including crafts, nature hikes, pony rides and lawn games plus a children’s rodeo.
Also in Wyoming, Paradise Ranch has a particularly good kids programme from sleep-outs to their own rodeo. Accommodation is in comfortable rustic cabins with two up to four bedrooms.
Triple J Wilderness Ranch, in Montana, works well for riders of all levels of experience and expertise, including beginners. This family-run favourite operates children’s programmes between mid-June and mid-August, from ages 6 years upwards and there are plenty of hiking trails and trout fishing ponds on site.
Colorado’s Elk Mountain Ranch hosts no more than 30 guests at a time, offering a more intimate experience. Kids activities are organised from ages three years and over.
Our team can also add on other destinations and experiences, combining a ranch stay with a fly-drive or time in New York City, Las Vegas or on a cruise. Find out more.
Check out our full range of ranch holidays and our latest worldwide special offers.
Note: All the travel companies featured on this site are personally recommended by our editors. Companies pay us a flat annual fee; we don’t get any additional payments if you click on their sites or make a booking. Those fees pay for the upkeep of our site, so we can keep it current and reliable. See more about how we work.