Idaho Ranch Vacations

Diamond D Ranch is set within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Northern Idaho. This area is abundant in wildlife, forest, hills, canyons, and mountains and is dominated by the Salmon River mountains. Diamond R Ranch traces its history back to 1960, when this all-inclusive ranch first came to be.

Lodging at Diamond D offers a bed and breakfast in the main lodge, suites, or comfortable, traditional log cabins with multiple bedrooms. Diamond D Ranch can accommodate up to 35 guests, so it’s ideal for a large group dude ranch vacation.

This family-owned ranch offers a range of fun activities for adults and children. Guests can participate in archery, fishing, hiking, shooting, swimming, and arts and crafts. There’s also horseback riding and guests can even try their hand at panning for gold.

Or simply gather around the bonfire to unwind and make new friends. They also run hunting trips and is one of the longest-established big game hunting operators in the state.

Other amenities and facilities available include a solar-heated pool, an outdoor hot tub, row boats to use on the private lake, and guided trail rides for all abilities. The huge lawn also offers a range of outdoor games for everyone, such as badminton, corn-hole, horseshoes, and volleyball.

Located in Antelope Flats, Granite Creek is an Idaho dude ranch for those who want to ride horses, canoe across the creek pond, and go fishing. This is a real-life working cattle ranch, so you can get some hands-on experience living in an entirely different lifestyle to the one you’re probably used to.

Granite Creek Ranch was founded back in 1917 and now occupies a large 4,000-acre site. More than 200 cows live on the ranch, as well as the resident horses. This part of Idaho is only a 2-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park.

At Granite Creek, there’s the Aspen Hills Retreat vacation home, perfect for big or small families. You can also camp at Granite Creek Ranch or stay in one of the cabins on site that can sleep between 4 and 8 guests. Riders as young as 7 years old can go on one of their awesome trail rides that are led by the experienced staff and take you to Baldy Mountain or Blackburn Canyon and other notable places.

They offer a self-service breakfast, and you can prepare lunch and dinner on the BBQs, at the communal kitchen, or by cooking over the campfire. If you want to do some fishing, you will need to bring your own rods, including barbless hooks to release your catch back into the pond.

Mackay Bar Outfitters & Guest Ranch is located in Idaho’s backcountry by the Salmon River. This one lies within the Frank Church River of No Return wilderness. Guests can explore a site occupying more than 273,000 acres of space.

Mackay Bar offers a selection of experiences for individuals and groups. These include all-inclusive packages, fishing breaks, and guided hunting programs. With 75 miles of the Salmon River to enjoy, it’s a paradise for those who love to fish or simply spend time by the water. You can also take a thrilling jet boat ride along the river or take a fun ATV ride.

The warm, western welcome extended by the hosts is one of the things guests most appreciate about staying at the ranch. As is the unspoiled wilderness setting. The accommodation and facilities are luxurious, so you can savor delicious and freshly prepared meals and relax in comfort.

Be warned, though, visiting Mackay Bar Ranch involves getting off-grid. You won’t have any signal for your cell phone or other devices, so it’s a good way to disconnect from technology.

McGarry offers guests the choice of two Idaho guest ranches. One can be found close to the south fork of the Snake River, while the other is located in the river’s upper valley. The owner is a fourth-generation rancher who decided to offer ranch vacations at his property for paying guests.

Life at the McGarry ranches is about joining in with the working life of the property. A maximum of ten guests per week can stay here, and accommodation is supplied in a shared log cabin. There are separate bathrooms and showers.

All meals are provided, from the daily breakfast at 7 a.m. to the evening meal. This is served whenever the day’s work has been completed, which may be at 5:30 p.m. or later. Lunch is eaten on the go from the coolers that were taken along for the ride.

If you want a taste of life as a cowboy or cowgirl, then a stay at any of these cattle ranches could be for you. Here it’s all about getting on with the day’s work along with everyone else, whether they’re a member of the McGarry family or guest.

There’s nowhere better in Idaho to experience how the old West really works, though if you’re looking for all-out luxury, then this probably isn’t the best option to book. However, you can experience everything from horseback riding, driving cattle, calving, and much more.

Red Horse Mountain Ranch is an all-inclusive ranch close to Lake Coeur d’Alene. You can take a break here between May and October, and the fact that there’s a kids’ program makes it suitable for families as well as couples, solo travelers, or groups. Up to 60 people can be accommodated at one time.

You can stay in a cabin or suite or opt for the Hilltop Home. Suites have one bedroom, while lodges have 1-4 bedrooms. All come with a private deck to soak up the unspoiled scenery and peaceful silence. The Hilltop Home is a luxurious house with 2,800 square meters of space and several bathrooms.

Themed weeks are offered at Red Horse. These include singles and solos, women’s and adults-only vacations. In the summer, it’s all about taking a break with the family and enjoying Western hospitality and the kid’s program.

Packages run from Sunday to Saturday, and apart from chef-prepared meals, drinks, and accommodations, these cover five full days of adventure with entertainment during the evenings. Activities to try out at the ranch include archery, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, ziplining, hiking, and horseback riding. Once you arrive, a horse is assigned to you for the weekly scheduled rides.