The past 18 months reinforced the need for celebration and commemoration. Graduations, weddings, births, memorials, so much had to be postponed, canceled, and worse, ignored to tend to the needs of the global pandemic. However, summer 2021 began with a sense of normalcy, and by mid-summer, events and family reunions were the most welcomed of events for relatives.
Dude ranches were born from the idea of bringing families and loved ones together for adventures, community cuisine, and spectacular star-filled evenings with roaring campfires, plenty of S’mores, and loads of stories. This epitome of Wild West adventure is not only thriving and coveted in 2021, it’s now the destination to reunite for the most monumental life moments.
There are nearly 100 Dude Ranchers’ Association member dude ranches across the Western United States and Canada, each entirely different from one another. Here’s a sampling of ranches that help honor friends and family, dude ranch style.
Circle Z Ranch
Patagonia, Arizona
Autumn and Early Winter Celebrations
Circle Z Ranch is an astounding atonal adventure for honeymooners, family reunions and intimate weddings. And, the ranch runs phenomenal programming and deals up until Christmas.
C Lazy U Ranch
Granby, Colorado
White Winter Wonderlust
Looking for a last-minute destination wedding for 70 and 90 folks? Then C Lazy U might be the most perfect winter wedding host. The 100-year-old ranch is notorious for melding dude ranch activity with luxury cuisine and beverage for the most elegant of affairs.
Rawah Ranch
Glendevey, Colorado
Raw Wilderness
Rawah Ranch, a stunning oasis, is an all-inclusive experience that is thoughtfully curated for those who wish to disconnect. Pick up a fly rod, horseback ride along alpine ridges, take a hike along meandering aspen-lined trails. Relax in a rocking chair on your front porch to watch for moose and elk.
Kay El Bar Guest Ranch
Wickenburg, Arizona
Reuniting in the Wild West
This stunning boutique dude and guest ranch is ideal for family reunions and anniversaries with a 24-person maximum. The ranch is located in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains on the banks of the Hassayampa River in the iconic Sonoran Desert.
Greenhorn Ranch
Quincy, California
Weekend Getaways
Greenhorn Ranch is located in the stunning Lost Sierra Wilderness on 660 acres with access to 500,000 acres of public land for riding. The year-round, California high woods destination has multiple lodging options and activities for all seasons.
Full List of activities: https://duderanch.org/plan-your-visit/dude-ranch-activities/
Photos credit: Dude Ranchers’ Association