Hey dude... beef up an outback adventure on a US ranch

First of all, for those who can remember it, lets get that old movie City Slickers out of our minds. A slapstick comedy about white-collar guys on a dude ranch might have given us a laugh but dude ranches are a big, “almost serious” business in the USA.

And they give us travellers a chance to get our hands dirty and learn new skills. But, more importantly, for a more elevated travel experience — an authentic cowboy adventure at a working ranch in stunning surrounds in Colorado.

Horseback trail rides, cattle drives, feeding and caring for livestock and other hands-on experiences are all part of the itinerary at the increasingly popular “working dude ranch” offerings in Colorado, where travellers are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and help out for their holiday.

GET INTO IT . . .

BADGER CREEK RANCH

A small family-owned ranch in central Colorado, Badger Creek Ranch is a remote, off-the-grid location, that offers guests the option to work with livestock, fix fences and move cattle, then dine on locally sourced food. This is a great place to learn to ride or brush up on your riding skills and explore the open range.

ZAPATA RANCH Adjacent to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Zapata Ranch maintains a herd of 2000 wild bison. Guests can work alongside the ranch’s wranglers, ride among the bison or into the park, hike in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains and go whitewater rafting.

SYLVAN DALE GUEST RANCH At Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, make a special connection by taking over the care of your horse during your stay. We hope you like s’mores, because Sylvan Dale offers traditional campfire experiences in the evening. The ladies can also book Cowgirl Roundups (perfect for a ‘girls getaway’).

SUNDANCE TRAIL GUEST RANCH If you’re into your outdoor adventures, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch north-west of Fort Collins offers a host of activities, from golf, archery, yoga, trout fishing, square dance lessons, river rafting (from float trips to whitewater rafting) and scenic rides with breakfast or lunch out on the trail.

ADD LUXURY . . .

VISTA VERDE GUEST RANCH

Want to amp up the luxury? A cross between traditional dude ranches and luxury resort, just north of Steamboat Springs, Vista Verde Guest Ranch combines Western hospitality with four-star amenities, such as a private hot tub on the deck of every cabin, spa robes and Italian linens, creating a high-end summer or winter getaway.

C LAZY U RANCH

If a four-course dinner paired with wines curated by the ranch’s onsite sommelier sounds good to you you’ve come to the right place. C Lazy U Ranch has been hosting people for over 100 years and they’ve created a refined yet authentic experience, with horseback riding and hiking, yoga, ziplining and spa experiences.

DEVIL’S THUMB Clearly not your rustic dude ranch, Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa sits two hours west of Denver near Winter Park. Guests enjoy paint and sip classes, daily yoga, live music, a movie theatre and a full menu of spa treatments. Accommodations range from one-bedroom log cabins to the seven-bedroom/10-bath Grand Guest House.

BROADMOOR’S THE RANCH

The Broadmoor’s The Ranch at Emerald Valley has 10 luxury cabins, each with a fireplace, surrounded by Pike National Forest and just up the road from the famed Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Herd cattle on horseback, play golf on a championship course and try your hand at lawn games. Wrap up the day with an indulgent dinner and a glass of wine on the deck or s’mores by the campfire.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BAR LAZY J GUEST RANCH If you’re looking for something more family friendly, nestled in a valley along the banks of the Colorado River west of Boulder, Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch is one of the oldest continuously operating dude ranches in Colorado. In addition to trail riding, families can enjoy fly fishing, trap shooting, guided hikes and mountain biking, then relax in the heated pool and hot tub. Another good family option is Colorado Trails Ranch outside Durango, where families will enjoy the basketball/volleyball court, petting zoo and heated pool, as well as outings to the Puebloan ruins at Mesa Verde National Park and rides on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

GETTING THERE Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado’s gateway airport, and spend time exploring Denver before connecting to a flight to one of the State’s regional airports or renting a car and driving to your vacation destination.

FACT FILE

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With support from Brand USA.