Best Luxury Ranch Holidays in the USA

Amidst the scorched red deserts, vast wildflower meadows, towering mountain ranges and fragrant pine forests, lies a once-in-a-lifetime cowboy adventure. From saddling up and wrangling cattle across the prairies to sitting under the stars and toasting s’mores around the campfire, a ranch holiday offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the Great American West.

Beyond the authentic cowboy experience of riding horses and cattle round-ups, a luxury holiday to a guest ranch or a dude ranch is one of endless adventure. When you are not busy enjoying the unspoilt natural beauty of the Wild West on horseback, there are plenty of other activities on offer such as fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting and more. Each day will likely end with a delicious dinner, where you can exchange outback stories with fellow guests and locals, before tiring to a luxuriously cosy room surrounded by the great outdoors.

Ranch holidays in the USA are remote and slow-paced, perfect for those who are seeking an escape into the wilderness and wanting to reconnect with nature. If you are interested in booking a cowboy ranch holiday, read our expert guide below to find out everything you need to know.

From their expert experience, our USA specialists have handpicked their top seven favourite places to stay for an unforgettable ranch holiday.

The world-class lodges of Paws Up are a favourite at The Ultimate Travel Company. Set in the heart of Montana, Paws Up is an award-winning luxury resort, a working cattle ranch and home to 10 miles of the fly-fishing paradise known as the Blackfoot River. From the Western-chic cabins to the safari-style tents, Paws Up is not only the epitome of luxury and exquisite views, but promises its guest an authentic experience of the Great American Wild West.

As one of the best places to stay for a cowboy experience, Paws Up offers its guests over 70 different activities and adventures, including horseback riding, world-class sporting clay courses and countless nature hikes surrounded by the towering Montana mountains.

Price: £££££

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Having won awards for its levels of comfort, its stylish upmarket amenities and its fantastic ranch-style food, Brush Creek Ranch offers an all-inclusive guest ranch holiday amidst 30,000 acres of unspoilt Wyoming wilderness.

Each of the private log cabins and lodge rooms have been inspired by the original homestead architecture, meaning that you will be fully immersed in the authentic ‘old west’ whilst maintaining the utmost level of luxury. With their vast array of authentic ranch experiences, rejuvenating wellness sessions and unforgettable culinary classes, Brush Creek Ranch is truly a ranch holiday that has something for everyone.

Price: £££££

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At the foothills of the Rincon Mountains on 640 acres of rugged Tucson desert, the Tanque Verde Ranch is an all-inclusive and authentic dude ranch set amidst the spectacular desert landscapes of Arizona. Located near the majestic Saguaro National Park and the stunning Coronado National Forest, Tanque Verde Ranch is a tranquil desert retreat comprised of southwestern style guestrooms and offers its guests cowboy experiences at a variety of levels.

Price: ££££

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The Red Cliffs Lodge is a beautiful estate perched on the banks of the Colorado River and surrounded by the towering red rock cliffs of Moab. Aside from its world-class hospitality, spacious cabins and spectacular scenic views, the Red Cliffs Lodge is also renowned for its presence in iconic western movies. You may have seen the rugged landscape in Hollywood blockbusters such as Rio Grande with John Wayne, an actor who became the definition of an American cowboy.

The Red Cliffs Lodge is also home to the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage and the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo adventure. If you are looking for a Holywood Western escape, the Red Cliffs Lodge is the perfect place to go.

Price: £££/££££

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The Ranch at Rock Creek is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a five-star Western adventure. Hidden in one of Montana’s pristine valleys, The Ranch at Rock Creek promises a true Montana ranch holiday experience with its luxurious accommodations that have been designed with Western furnishings; its delicious cuisine which combines mountain tradition and contemporary dining as well as its staggering array of outdoor activities that take place both on the ranch and beyond.

Price: £££££

( FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK )

As a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, the Triple Creek Ranch is an award-winning ranch hidden away in the Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies. The all-inclusive, adults-only ranch offers a range of luxurious log cabins and ranch homes, all of which have been designed with a Western-style decor and complete with private outdoor hot tubs, log-post king beds and cosy wood-burning fireplaces. If you are looking for a romantic retreat, the Triple Creek Ranch is the perfect ranch holiday for adult travellers.

Price: £££££

( FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TRIPLE CREEK RANCH )

Deep in the Gros Ventre River Valley near Jackson Hole lies the historic guest ranch of Goosewing. With only 11 private cosy cabins, the Goosewing Ranch is a great exclusively off-the-grid ranch holiday in the USA. Here you can explore the untouched wilderness of the Valley by hiking, fly-fishing and personal UTV excursions, but the star attraction at Goosewing Ranch is its horseback riding adventures, catering to all riding levels from beginner to experienced.

Price: ££/£££

( FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GOOSEWING RANCH )

The best time to visit a guest ranch or a dude ranch in the USA depends on where you are going.

In Arizona, for example, the best time to visit would be between October and May, as the weather is usually too hot in the summer months for horse riding in the middle of the day. Whereas in Wyoming and Montana, the best time to visit would be between June and October, where the weather is usually bright, sunny and dry; in other words, the perfect conditions for outdoor cowboy adventures.

However, the ranches in Wyoming and Montana are usually open all-year round and offer incredible winter activities for those who are ready to brave the snow.

Click here to see a sample itinerary for a Montana ranch holiday.

Although it is worth bearing in mind that at The Ultimate Travel Company, we believe every journey should reflect your unique style and interests. Our itineraries are here to spark inspiration, serving as the foundation for your luxury ranch holidays in the USA. Whether you prefer a different type of accommodation, wish to focus on a particular experience, or weave in your favourite activities, our travel specialists will create a bespoke itinerary designed entirely around you.

Speak to our travel specialists to start planning your USA ranch holidays today: +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.