If You Love "Yellowstone," Your Next Vacation Should Be At A Dude Ranch
Here are a few favorites in the South.
It’s no secret these days that the country aesthetic is cool. In the South, boots and jeans have never gone out of style, for both practical and stylish reasons. We also love our drama in the South, so when Yellowstone, the television show, erupted onto the scene in 2018, there was no doubt that our area of the country would eat up every minute. With the hard edge of The Sopranos and drama like Dallas, Yellowstone hasn’t stopped gaining fans since its debut.
If you want to live the Yellowstone life, minus the train station, there’s a vacation option that you might want to consider. Heading to a dude ranch offers a stay full of connection and outdoor experiences that will impress any age. Another bonus, there are horses.
These days, many dude ranches offer a little less cowboy-ing and a little more relaxing. You can book a stay at a working dude ranch that will let you move cattle by horseback and fix fences for a full experience or simply trail ride and enjoy a cowboy cookout at others. The choice is up to you. Whichever type of ranching you pick, the vacation will be full of memories and carry the possibility that you’ll be hooked on homesteading.
Here are a few special spots in the South for an amazing dude ranch adventure.
Shangrila Guest Ranch
South Boston, Virginia
Shangrila Guest Ranch has a backstory of land preservation. Owners Gary and Julie Holmes have made it there life’s work to purchase and conserve 800 acres in the area for trail riders, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. They started with the property next door, outbidding a developer intent on clear cutting the forest.
That same piece of property was built into a guest ranch where visitors come to disconnect from the electronic world and get back to a simpler way of life. Of course, there’s horseback riding, but hiking, horseshoes, ping pong, and card games are available. As is simply hammock time with a book and a cool drink. Guests can choose to take a cane and pole to the lake for some fishing or participate in hay rides in the wagon. If you’d like to pitch in and help, eggs need gathering, ducks, and other farm animals need feeding and the over 50 horses on the property need to be greeted in the pasture. Ride their horses or bring your own, this ranch offers something for every skill level.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Roden
River Ranch, Florida
Are you familiar with glamorous camping or ‘glamping’? Many campers love the outdoors, along with comfortable accommodations and some kind of toilet. This ranch in Florida promises to resort level amenities with a camping experience through their glamping tents, teepees, or covered wagons. They come with all kinds of creature comforts, including air conditioning or heat, microwave, mini fridge, and upgraded linens. For those that worry, there’s also a private bathroom and a concierge to troubleshoot any needs.
There’s a petting zoo to get close to those precious little farm animals, skeet shooting, bungee jumping and archery. The rodeo on Saturday nights offers guests a chance for rides on a mechanical bull. You can also come home with your own Western souvenir courtesy of the store on site. There are special perks all the time. For those that love the nightly campfires, the resort offers a "S’mores and Pours" delivery. All the melty marshmallow and graham cracker supplies are delivered along with a bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon to your campsite.
Cataloochee Ranch
Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Cataloochee Ranch is planning an opening in late 2023 in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Operated as a sister property to The Swag, a luxurious outpost on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cataloochee has the advantage of offering the epic chef’s picnic on Gooseberry Knob to their horseback riding guests. Right now the horse rides are Wednesday and Saturday with plans for two events open to the public every month until they open.
Related: 20 Affordable Family Vacations You Haven't Thought Of Before
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