A dude ranch vacation is one of the most fun vacations you can do by yourself or with your family. It’s easy to have a good time here, but to get this type of cowboy experience, it does come at a cost. The cost associated with visiting a dude ranch can vary depending on the type of vacation you may be looking for and where you want to go.
There are all-inclusive ranches that cover all you need, from activities to meals, while there are also working ranches where you can experience ranch work firsthand. The costs of a dude ranch vacation also depend on other variables, from the length of time you plan on attending to any additional activities you want to do.
We analyzed the data and costs for over 50 dude ranches from different regions of the United States to help travelers figure out the average prices for a dude ranch vacation.
How Much Does A Dude Ranch Vacation Cost?
A dude ranch vacation costs between $2075 to $3126 per adult for one week. Families can expect to pay between $950-$1750 per child for one week.
We included the weekly cost since many ranches will have a minimum stay of anywhere from 3 to 7 days. So if you plan on staying for less than a week, you can expect to pay lower than what’s quoted above.
The numbers shown above come in a wide range simply due to the fact that even a single ranch itself will have different prices per package. Ranches will offer packages that mainly differ on the planned activities you’re looking to do or the number of guests you’re bringing along. There are also factors like the ones mentioned below that affect the pricing.
Additional Costs
One of the main activities that greatly affects things is horseback riding. Contrary to popular belief, horseback riding isn’t always included in the main price of a dude ranch. So, if you plan to ride a few trails or want a horse to stay with you for the entire stay, expect to pay an additional $300 to $500 extra.
The ranch location can also impact how much you need to pay. A ranch vacation on the West Coast typically costs more than one in the Midwest. Since many ranches are found in more remote locations or popular states like Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming, you also need to consider any flight and transportation costs. Ranches sometimes offer airport shuttles where they pick you up at the airport and bring you directly to them for an extra fee that falls between $25 to $100.
The time and season you book can also affect the price. We recommend booking a vacation as far in advance as possible. If a ranch is only open during a specific season, like May to September, the closer it gets to the summer months the more expensive it becomes as spots get filled. Other ranches that are open year-round consider summer the busy season, so coming to them in late fall or early spring is a better choice if you’re on a budget.
The winter season is a popular time to visit since many ranches double as ski resorts or offer popular winter activities, so you might not always save money coming during the colder weather.
The type of accommodation you stay in also increases or decreases your expected costs. If you plan to stay in a luxury lodge or home over a more rustic cabin, the price difference can be between $500 and $800 on average.
Most dude ranches are typically all-inclusive, and those costs usually cover everything from meals, accommodations, and some activities. Dude ranches will offer additional activities for an added cost, like ATV riding, white water rafting, golfing, spa services, and even cross-country skiing. Horseback riding sometimes is and sometimes isn’t included, so you will want to find that out. Fly fishing is another very popular dude ranch activity, but that’s typically always included.
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are generally always covered, as well as some appetizers and drinks. In terms of alcohol, this one will greatly vary per ranch. A lot of dude ranches don’t want visitors drinking and riding horses, so it’s not always included in the rate.
You will also need to consider gratuity and tips. While at most places, you aren’t technically required to tip, it’s something nice to do for the hardworking ranch staff. You can tip staff in any way, from handing out cash to working with the ranch to split a tip between all their workers in advance. However, there are other dude ranches where an automatic charge of 10% to 15% of the total price is added for gratuity This all varies depending on the ranch.
Overall, dude ranches are the perfect family-friendly vacation and one that you and your kids will remember for a long time. While it can certainly be pricey, it’s worth the lifetime of memories that you make here.