Dude’n It Up
Surprisingly in Love with my Trip to a Dude Ranch
(well, I should add - a 5 Star Dude Ranch)
There is a new breed of the American West Dude Ranch … the Luxury Ranch, where wagyu beef with a side of truffle risotto replaces the ole beanie weenies. And, your campfire is rimmed with Adirondack chairs, baskets of blankets and fixin’s for s’mores rather than a dirty log. Some things are inherent with a ranch: wide open spaces on gorgeous amounts of acreage with mountain range backdrops in the distance. But the Luxury Ranch is much more than its vistas. We have just returned from The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch where we had fantastic rooms, awe inspiring views, fabulous food, a truly amazing staff taking care of our every whim and WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!
Sunset at the Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch … where we snapped 100 photos and found it hard to pick our favorite!
My image of a Dude Ranch experience was formed mostly from the movie City Slickers where Billy Crystal is schooled in the meaning of life from the cantankerous wrangler, Curly, all while bumping along atop a horse. Horses are still an integral part of a working ranch – and – its definitely a highlight; but, these luxury ranches have one wrangler for every two guests, nothing is smelly and no one is Curly-like. When we were riding in early October, the horses were competing for our attention as the changing Aspen trees and their 50 shades of yellow were stunning … not a cow (or baby Norman) in sight.
And at a Luxury Ranch there’s also a lot more you can do to giddy up. At BRC we all enjoyed 2 activities a day that we each selected from a long list of offerings. Along with the horseback riding, our activities included: Orvis endorsed fly fishing, skeet shooting, rifle and pistol shooting, a 3D archery course, mountain biking, ATV riding, a ropes course, yoga hiking and zip lining. And these are but a few of the activities you can enjoy at these luxury ranches & they are ALL INCLUDED.
A luxe ranch would not be complete without some choices of lodging. You won’t go camping – now you’ll be “glamping” in your own yurt with fluffy down comforters, AC, private butlers and fireside catering. Or, you can stay in your own cabin, have a room at the lodge, or stay in a larger 3 or 4 bedroom house all together with your friends and family.
(📷 Brush Creek Lodge top row. Magee Homestead bottom row)
Bringing the kids? At BCR, the little kids will enjoy the “Lil Wranglers” camp where the staff is equipped to keep them busy (and safe). Bigger kids will love picking their own activities safely supervised with a guide. And big, big kids will enjoy the all-inclusive saloon where the pool table and poker tables are side by side, corn hole and a horseshoe pit are just outside, there is an arcade and gym with a basketball court next door. Mom and Dad can enjoy their own activities during the day and meet up at meal times and later beside the fire with a s’more stick.
Prefer to leave the kids at home and have some adult time? Many luxury ranches also have adult-only adjacent properties. Next door to BCR, Magee Homestead, a 5 Star Relais & Chateaux property, kicks it up a notch with its own culinary team, activities areas, pool, spa and chic cabins with fireplaces and private creekside fire pits. The activities there are on your time, not set times – and the common areas more intimate and have an elevated aesthetic.
Really just want focus on fishing or hunting? BCR has a third property, French Creek, which caters more to the sportsman with their own chefs, itineraries and housing.
At all of the luxury ranches, there is intense focus on the guest’s culinary experience. Many have Relais & Chateaux culinary teams that prepare exceptional farm to table meals. At BCR, we loved the food — 3 courses for breakfast, lunch and dinner - with many a-la-carte options. The venues changed each day, varied from casual to chic and served both family style and made to order. We appreciated the culinary team making us something special to celebrate our daughter’s birthday too. Oh, did I mention the alcohol is ALL INCLUDED here too :)
The all inclusive ranch has many included activities and experiences. But it also has some add-on options that can truly elevate your stay. Take a pastry class with the chef, sip a sampling of premium spirits in the private bar, explore the wine collection with the head sommelier, go golfing and many more - but don’t forget - find some time to “ahhh” at the full service spa.
We wanted to visit a Luxury Dude Ranch for the accommodations, the activities & the stunning openness of the sky. Most vital for us, we chose Brush Creek because it was a one flight to Denver + 3 hour ride to Saratoga, Wyoming. And in these crazy covid times, the wide open space - both inside and out - and the time spent outdoors is the quintessential definition of social distancing.
But it was the ALL-OF-IT-WAS-GREAT that completely surprised us. A vacation we never thought would go on our top-10-best-list (my daughter might have it as her #1). We repeatedly agreed that we cannot wait to go back - or experience another one - SOON!
2021 promises to be another busy year for these Luxury Ranches … if you are intrigued, its never too early to pick your dates
Great Luxury Dude Ranches with 🛎 JJT Booking Extras:
Where we stayed, The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek is featured above. And its sister property, Magee Homestead which is adults only and also mentioned above. I give a personal 👍🏻👍🏻 to both & 🛎 booking with JJT can get you room upgrades and credits for add on activities.
Here are a few more pix of Magee, the adults only property next door to Brush Creek:
Vermejo: Ted Turner’s private ranch of 550,000 acres just over the line in New Mexico where the deer and the antelope play - but - the Castle Rock Bison and Elk herds are the stars of the show. There is focused goal of sustainability here and great efforts at conservation. Abundant activities, diverse lodging choices (including Ted’s 25,000sf mansion) and fresh from the garden fare. Another one flight to Denver + car ride to the property, +4 hrs. (And, I am psyched to have a visit on the books here soon! Look for my highlights on instagram). 🛎 Booking with JJT gives you activity credits, upgrades and a Virtuoso Castle Rock Sundowner for 4 (a $350 value)
📷 Vermejo Casa Grande
Triple Creek Ranch: The Relais & Chateaux, Forbes 5 star property is an adults-only, all-inclusive luxe ranch located in the northern rockies of Montana. A myriad of activities (winter add-ons include dog sledding and skijoring - being pulled on skis by a horse), gourmet meals, hot tubs and a nicely stocked wet bar in your room with all your favorites. 🛎 JJT = upgrades and resort credit
📷Triple Creek Ranch
The Resort at Paws Up: A fabulous escape in the Rocky Mountains, Paws Up is a working ranch playground set on the Blackfoot River (where a certain Brad Pitt, Robert Redford fishing movie was made) . You can stay in a cabin big enough for the whole family - or - in their premier glamping tents also known as “nature on a silver platter” equipped with AC and the renowned The Last Best Bed®. A new adults-only section, The Green O, will debut in early 2021 with very chic tree house style cabins and an elevated cuisine. But regardless of where you stay, you’ll have a complimentary Lexus’ to help get you around. 🛎 JJT = upgrades, resort credit, welcome bottle of wine
📷The Resort at Paws Up
Ranch at Rock Creek: Set among 10 square miles in Montana’s western Big Sky region, the Forbes 5 Star Ranch at Rock Creek offers a stylish and luxurious yet true Wild West experience for families. RRC has 29 one-of-a-kind accommodations ranging from lodge rooms and homes to bespoke glamping tents. Their all inclusive activity list is long and checks just about every box possible (complete with a bowling alley and movie theater!). The decor is lavish, yet very Montana (and also a bit Italian with Frette sheets and duvets that don the beds). The R&C culinary team is considered “haute couture of gourmet cuisine.” 🛎 JJT = upgrades, resort credit, welcome premium bottle of wine
📷 The Ranch at Rock Creek
Dunton Hot Springs: Located just outside Telluride, the Relais and Chateaux property Dunton Hot Springs breathes new life into a 19th-century ghost town. The 13 rustic log cabins are all unique and surprisingly luxe, with heated slate floors and handpicked antiques. Join a trail ride into the Rockies or fly-fish along a private stretch of the Dolores River; you’ll find every conceivable winter sport, including heli-skiing. Farm-fresh meals and wine from the resort’s vineyard are shared over the Saloon’s long table. Grab a seat at the bar and you will find Butch Cassidy’s name scratched during his stay in Dunton. The highlight not be missed at Dunton - the Hot Springs: offered 5 ways, from 85 to 106 degrees (there’s no sulphur in these springs so fear of any bad smells either). 🛎 JJT = upgrades, resort credit & welcome wine.
📷 Dunton Hot Springs
** upgrades at all properties are subject to availability
And Two Interesting Finds:
Taylor River Lodge: A smaller yet chic Colorado property that prides itself on its fishing spots is more of an adult summer camp than a dude ranch. The property is all-inclusive and leans heavy on being both an active yet “hang out friendly” property. 🛎 JJT = varies
📷 Taylor River Lodge
Sorrel River Ranch: This Moab, Utah luxe “lite” ranch is a relaxation focused resort with some mighty awe inspiring topography. Here you can go canyoneering, skydiving, horseback riding - or - enjoy some yoga by the Colorado River. Known for its proximity to the famous Arches, this spot is a mix of luxe and a huge dose of laid back. (It is not all inclusive) 🛎 JJT = varies
📷 Sorrel River Ranch
I’d be honored to make you a Luxury Ranch Lover too :)
xoxo