[naters]

Does anyone have any recommendations for guest ranches "out west"..... Especially ones that have programs for people that have never ridden, and perhaps with other guided activities (fishing, or?)..

Thanks in advance!

[MoonoverMississippi]

Check out Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Loveland, Colorado.

Good riding program for any level of experience (very nice, well trained horses too), excellent guided fishing, horse-drawn hayrides, hiking, etc. Depending on the week you go, you can herd cattle, help with regular ranch chores, or just enjoy the scenery. But if you want a real "roughing" it/tough ranching experience, it probably isn't for you.

It is also a short drive from Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, so there are plenty of options for other things to do.

[naters]

Sounds great!!! Trail riding would be great, but have no desire to rough it, or help with farm chores (we can do that here at home, LOL).

[Macimage]

I've always wanted to go to the Alisal Ranch:

http://www.alisal.com/

[Louise]

If you have no desire to rough it, then this might be just the place for you. The desert rides are wonderful. And, the pampering looks great. It's been a long time since I was there, but, I remember it as one of my favorite vacations. http://tanqueverderanch.com/

[Twiceshy]

Hi Naters - DH (who does not ride) and I went to Black Mountain Ranch in CO this summer. Fabulous for both of us, and plenty of non-riding activities.
www.blackmtnranch.com Great people, great horses, good food, and nice accommodations.

[lilitiger2]

CM Ranch in Dubois Wyo, has new management so may have changed, but you do NOT have to do any work! Non riders can hike, fabulous fishing, hang out and read, go square dancing on tuesd evenings in town (everyone goes!). Great food and wonderful people but comfortable RUSTIC cabins (no TV). www.cmranch.com ranch was founded by charlie moore back in the 40s? awesome pack trips as well. The Elkhorn Ranch (outside Tucson, AZ)is open Nov-APril, also great hiking for non riders. Also no TV, poor cell service, wonderful vacation with lovely cabins but not "luxury". http://www.elkhornranch.com/ Elkhorn also has a sister ranch outside Bozeman, MT also lots of fishing etc for non riders. http://www.elkhornranchmt.com/ These are the real deal guest ranches, fun, relaxing, not high end, great horses for the rider, lots of stuff for nonrider folk (had a family reunion at the CM and it was awesome!)

[AdagioWA]

Try the kdiamondk in Washington state. Wonderful place with a great owner and staff. Getting the horses in from the range in the morning and herding them back at night was a highlight. The riding was wonderful as well and they deal will with both riders and non-riders.

http://www.kdiamondk.com/

[Foxtrot's]

October/November edition of "American Cowboy" has 253 of the country's top guest ranches listed.

[KateKat]

Went to North Fork in Colorado. Great people, super friendly, very easy trail riding activities. Decent string of horses and definitely have other activities. A lot of people fished and some of us went on a rafting trip. Had a blast!

[dani0303]

Sylvan Dale is pretty close to me. I interviewed for a job but it was a little too far for a daily commute.

SO worked at Sundance Ranch in Red Feather Lakes, CO for a summer. He rode a lot and taught rock climbing. It was a neat place
http://sundancetrail.com/

[Peggy]

Wonderful place. We went there as kids with my parents and then started goign again as a family for my parents' 50th anniversary.

I've always wanted to go to the Alisal Ranch:

http://www.alisal.com/

[Ella1234]

Check out the Sweet Grass Ranch near Big Timber, Montana.

http://sweetgrassranch.com/

Also on Facebook.

I've been there twice so far (2009 & 2011) and hope to go back again next summer. The ranch is an amazingly beautiful place which sits at the end of a dirt road, the nearest neighbors are miles away.

A really wonderful family has been running the guest ranch for years. The food was fabulous, the horses were great, wranglers were wonderful. Walk, trot, canter, gallop, as the terrain allows of course. No "nose to tail" riding unless the trail demands it. Many rides going out each day. Fast, slow, short, 1/2 day, all day rides, you choose. Trail riding, cattle drives, hiking, fishing, swiming. Sweet Grass creek runs through the property. Part of the creek runs right behind the cabins, can listen to it all night.

Have fun with your search. There are many great guest ranches out there!

[faybe]

Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Emigrant, Montana- in the heart of Paradise Valley, near Bozeman and definitely NOT roughing it! We went as a family a couple times as kids (I was 7 or 8?) and always enjoyed it, and most recently DH and I went back under the new ownership for our honeymoon. It was amazing. There are certain blocks of the season that are reserved for adults only and some that are very family friendly. When we were there we rode every day (some days with our own guide, since we both ride) and some days with the group, which included people who had never ridden before. Tons of trails on their property and surrounding national forest. We also went hiking, took fly fishing lessons, and took a small group tour of Yellowstone with a former bear ranger (we saw two grizzly mommas and cubs and two wolves!). The cabins are simple but very cozy- no tv/internet except in one small area of the main lodge, but each cabin has it's own fireplace, lots of books and cozy quilts. And the food was absolutely incredible! Overall our experience was amazing and we will definitely be going back!

http://mtnsky.com/default.aspx

[naters]

Thanks guys! Great suggestions!!!

[LoriO]

Also check out www.equitrekking.com They are a huge resource for equine themed vacations all around the world. You can go state by state and look at all the different ranches that offer vacations.