5 Family / Budget Friendly Dude Ranches

By BT Editor
March 17, 2022
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EMPPhotography - IStock

Dreaming of living a life like Rip Wheeler, or Kayce, John, and Beth Dutton in the popular tv show Yellowstone, even if only for a short while? What if we told you, we have the answer… take a dude ranch vacation! While dude ranches don’t have “train stations”, they do have many of the romantic features highlighted in this series about the western way of life, wide-open spaces, and the cowboy lifestyle.

Not only that but dude ranches are also the ultimate family vacation. There is something for anyone at any age! Activities, accommodations, meals, and more are offered at dude ranches to accommodate infants to grandparents and everyone in between. Anyone is welcome to take a dude ranch vacation where you will ride the trails, work some cattle, fly fish in pristine rivers, and dress the part. Spend time riding, eating, and enjoying the ranch with your wranglers and truly learn what it means to be a cowboy. By choosing one of the 90+ Dude Ranchers’ Association member ranches for your dude ranch vacation, you are ensuring your trip will include beautiful views, stellar horseback riding, delicious food, and comfortable lodging options.

We have found 5 dude ranches that are not only family friendly but also budget friendly. Go live out your cowboy dreams at one of these fabulous dude ranches!

Wyoming

Shoshone Lodge river crossing.jpg
Courtesy of The Dude Ranchers’ Association

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch - Located in a beautiful mountain valley three miles from the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch has been serving guests for almost 100 years. With abundant wildlife, breathtaking vistas, and access to hundreds of miles of horseback riding and hiking trails in the Shoshone National Forest, Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch is the ideal place to reconnect with those closest to you, enjoy new friendships, and experience a truly relaxing western vacation.

Colorado

Sundance Trail (51).jpg
Courtesy of The Dude Ranchers’ Association

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch - Only 100 miles from Denver International Airport yet lost in the wide-open spaces of the mountains. Shared adventures include family rides, beginner rides, advanced and fast rides, half-day rides, all-day rides, hiking, seasonal white-water rafting, yoga, rock climbing & belaying instruction, 21 round disc golf, Golf Course nearby, trout fishing, shooting sports & archery, massages and so much more! Sundance Trail is also pet-friendly – guest horses and dogs welcome!

Montana

Courtesy of The Dude Ranchers’ Association

Parade Rest Ranch is a true Montana dude ranch offering that memorable Montana guest ranch experience, located just 15 minutes from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Parade Rest Ranch is the closest of all the Montana guest ranches to Yellowstone National Park. The ranch also is located within 30 miles of world-renowned fly-fishing rivers and streams.

Arizona

Rancho de La Osa Arizona Dude Ranch Activities.jpg
Courtesy of The Dude Ranchers’ Association

Rancho de la Osa is Arizona’s most historic ranch. Ride the trails frequented by U.S. Presidents, movie stars, and other dignitaries. Learn to sort cattle as ranchers have for generations. Explore Native American ruins, the U.S.-Mexico border, or the neighboring 120,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuge. After a day spent adventuring, enjoy a cool drink in our Cantina, the oldest continually occupied building in the state of Arizona!

British Columbia

Sundance Guest Ranch cowboy view.jpg
Courtesy of The Dude Ranchers’ Association

Sundance Guest Ranch is an easy four-hour drive from Vancouver, BC and is located in one of the warmest, sunniest spots in Canada with sweeping, panoramic views of the wide-open Thompson River Valley that are so beautiful. At the end of the day, when you’ve just got back from a ride, and you’re sitting on the deck, watching the herd gallop by and laughing with someone you’ve known ten minutes you’ll know why we say: “The first time, it’s a vacation – after that, it’s coming home.™”


To find additional dude ranches visit The Dude Ranchers’ Association.

The Dude Ranchers’ Association member ranches will provide working, traditional, and budget dude ranch vacations for all types of travelers and guests. Different activities, cuisine, and service will set the new standard for any vacation! For more information or assistance in selecting the right dude ranch for you, contact the Dude Ranchers’ Association! With almost 100 years of experience and over 90 ranches to choose from, they will help find the right ranch for you!

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Super Nintendo World Set to Open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated themed land, will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, and will be the first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to debut in the United States. Super Nintendo World opened first at Universal Studios Japan to rave consumer and critical reviews in 2021. The U.S. debut of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood will transport theme park guests and Nintendo fans into the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to become part of their compelling universe. Super Nintendo World was conceived in partnership with Nintendo and Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to generations of Nintendo fans for over 40 years. The immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family. Themed shopping and dining will enhance the entire experience. To mark the occasion as the countdown begins to the land’s exciting debut, Universal Studios Hollywood will unveil a takeover of its popular Feature Presentation retail store with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD theming, opening soon. Located just inside the theme park’s main entrance, guests will have a chance to share their excitement for the land’s 2023 arrival by gearing up with merchandise such as Mario and Luigi themed apparel and iconic character hats. A selection of plush characters, including Yoshi, Mario, Bowser and Luigi in a variety of sizes, will also be among the many fun items available for purchase. More information and details will be shared soon. In the meantime, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for theme park updates. Get Discounted tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood in our booking platform.

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Where to stay on Martha's Vineyard on any budget

Martha’s Vineyard has a reputation for its beautiful beaches, traditional New England architecture, and for being a summer vacation destination for the rich and powerful. The island is known for being a vacation destination for ex-presidents, as well as being the filming location for Jaws over 40 years ago. You would be forgiven for assuming that Martha’s Vineyard is a destination too expensive for those of us that travel without the means of the wealthy. But you would be wrong. The secret to Martha’s Vineyard is that it has quite a few hotels, campgrounds, and hostels that provide reasonable budget accommodations. There are two tricks for getting these deals: book early, 6-12 months in advance, and book during shoulder-season, which are the months just before and after summer. We’ve assembled a list of our favorite options of stays on the island. $ - Under $100/night Tisbury - Martha's Vineyard Family Campground campmv.com Open May - October With several cottages, also offers space for tents and RVs. Clean, very safe, family friendly campground. Expect to pay $54-60 per campground per night. West Tisbury - Hosteling International Martha's Vineyard capecodhostels.org Open April - October Private and dorm rooms available, Families and non-members welcome. Rates range from $40-150 per night. Oak Bluffs - The Madison Inn madisoninnmv.com Open May - October, this 14 room property is located in the heart of the town center, close to all the fun, the beaches and the food! Rates as low as $79. $$ - Under $200/night Edgartown - Ashley Inn ashleyinn.net 1860 Whaling Captain's home is open year round and is an easy stroll to the town center, beaches and attractions. A charming stay for couples, friends and families. Rates as low as $125/night in the off-season. Edgartown - The Edgar Hotel edgarhotelmv.com Open year-round and recently renovated with all the modern comforts you need, a relaxed Island atmosphere you'd expect and a popular on-site bar and restaurant. Rates as low as $153/night. Oak Bluffs - The Narragansett House narragansetthouse.com This 13 room property is located in the heart if the town center, steps from food, beaches, shopping and fun. Rates from $144/night. Tisbury - Vineyard Harbor Motel vineyardharbormotel.us Open year-round and located on the harbor, each of the 40 rooms is an efficiency unit. Rates from $159/night. Tisbury- The Driftwood of Martha's Vineyard thedriftwoodmv.com Year-round B&B with farm-to-table options, quiet area close to town center. Rates from $150 during off-season and $300 during peak. Tisbury - Look Inn lookinnmv.com Comfortable old farmhouse located in historic district close to shops, restaurants and beaches. Rates from $175-200 per night. $$$ - Over $200/night Aquinnah - The Duck Inn duckinnonmv.com Cozy, year-round, 5-room property is perfect for a true getaway. Located in the western most side of the Island, visitors will enjoy amazing views, easy walk to the beach, fireplaces and divine hospitality. The Duck Inn is pet friendly, but contact them for specifics. Rates as low as $145 but go up to $335/night. Edgartown - The Edgartown Commons edgartowncommons.com Located steps from downtown this budget friendly property has 34 units are apartments (studios, one and two bedrooms) with kitchens, to make it easy for an extra long getaway. Open May - October. Rates from $215/night. Tisbury - The 1720 House 1720house.com Open year-round this 6-room was named one of Yankee Magazine's best small New England Inns. Steps from the beach and town center. Rates from $150 in the off-season and $250 in peak. Oak Bluffs - The Pequot Hotel pequothotel.com Open May - October A Charming small hotel is one block top beaches and a short stroll to shopping and dining. Rates from $200/night. CARD WIDGET HERE

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Discover USA: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Join Budget Travel as we continue our new series Discover USA. Discover USA explores states, counties, cities, and everything in between. Each week we will explore a new US destination to help you find things to do, itinerary ideas, and plan where to go next. This week, we invite you to Discover what Cheyenne, Wyoming has to offer. Cheyenne is known for its spirit of the old west, railroad history, rodeos, and western hospitality. Culinary Cheyenne has a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from Asian cuisine to buffalo burgers nestled in historical settings to modern delights. The town is also home to several craft beverage producers creating a variety of libations. Chronicles Distilling Courtesy of ChroniclesDistilling At the edge of downtown, this distillery serves unique infused whiskeys and vodkas. Chronicles Distilling is a Veteran Owned Family Distillery, run by two Marine Corps Infantry Veterans and Brothers, named Aaron and Chase Lesher. Chronicles Distilling produces corn based spirits, distilled in-house, that are bottled and sold for sale to go, as well as used to make cocktails for sale in their bar on the main level. All furniture and equipment have been built by Aaron and Chase Lesher. Free tours and samples are given to anyone who would like to learn about distilling and what Chronicles has to offer. Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House Steaks and fresh seafood are served in a casual yet refined environment in the only official steakhouse downtown. You can also enjoy locally-brewed Accomplice beers alongside your dinner. Voted One Of The 50 BEST Restaurants in America by MSN Lifestyle! The Metropolitan Courtesy of themetdowntown.com Featuring a menu of chef-inspired dishes, the Metropolitan’s mouthwatering brussels sprouts and bison pasta are nothing to balk at. New American cuisine awaits in one of the classiest spots in town. Accomplice Beer Company Courtesy of accomplicebeer.com Accomplice Beer Company is housed in the historic Cheyenne Depot, and is a unique brewery concept with self-pour taps and a newly expanded food menu including such favorites as kale salad, baby back ribs, chicken wings, and brewery sliders. The self-pour taps allow customers to sample a variety of beers without having to purchase a full pint — giving customers complete control of their journey into Accomplice craft beers. Arts and Culture Visitors looking for Western-themed art and a variety of cultural activities will not be disappointed when they arrive in Cheyenne. The city offers numerous galleries and museums to view beautiful and historic Western and indigenous art. Cheyenne Artists Guild hosts numerous art shows throughout the year. The historic Van Tassell Carriage House is the home of the guild, established in 1949 and is Wyoming's oldest continuously operating artists' association. Cheyenne also has an active community theatre, two ballet companies, a regionally acclaimed symphony orchestra, a chamber choir, and several music venues for numerous live performances. Terry Bison Ranch Courtesy of Terry Bison Ranch One of Cheyenne's most unique attractions! Take a tour on one of Terry Bison Ranch's custom-built trains to see ostriches, camels, a huge bison herd, and actually hand-feed the bison! Tours are every day except Christmas Day.You can also go on a guided trail ride and seasonal Sunday lunch train. The train is designed from an old-fashioned dining car and stops to let you visit with a herd of bison. ATV Tours of the Ranch are available as well! Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Courtesy of botanic.org The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens exists to cultivate growth and enrichment in the community of Cheyenne by providing a treasured garden space for enjoyment, celebration, and education. Come experience the dazzling variety of award-winning, curated displays of plants, shrubs, and trees from around the world in the brand-new Grand Conservatory; enjoy family-friendly activities in the Paul Smith Children’s Village; or take a walk through the community vegetable garden and greenhouse. Grand Conservatory and Paul Smith Children's Village. Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Housing one of the largest collections of horse- drawn carriages in the nation, this museum tells the story of the west, specifically the history of our own Cheyenne Frontier Days. Nelson Museum of the West Courtesy of nelsonmuseum.com The Nelson Museum is dedicated to the preservation of fine Cowboy and Native American objects as well as fine Western art. Home to a collection of nearly 6,000 artifacts encompassing Western history, including cowboy and Native American relics. Cheyenne Artists Guild Provides numerous art shows throughout the year. Located in the historic Van Tassell Carriage Barn (National Historic Registry), The Cheyenne Artists Guild is the oldest continuously operating, nonprofit arts organization in Wyoming. Explore the Outdoors Cheyenne is the gateway to Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest and offers countless outdoor pursuits. Outdoor adventure awaits with three key scenic and distinct areas—the Pole Mountain and Vedauwoo areas within Medicine Bow National Forest, and Curt Gowdy State Park. The destination is a convenient outdoor mecca with a vast array ready-to-discover adventures for all levels from the casual nature lover to the avid outdoor enthusiast featuring mountain biking, hiking, climbing, snow-shoeing, Nordic skiing and more. Pole Mountain Previously administered by the War Department for military training, the area is now home to single-track hiking, running, fat biking and mountain biking trails along with Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Curt Gowdy State Park Courtesy of wyoparks.wyo.go Sitting among the picturesque foothills of the Laramie Mountains, the area features granite towers, rocky soils and timbered slopes. Two small reservoirs form the heart of the park, with fishing boating and more! The park also features more than 35 miles of EPIC-rated single-track mountain biking and hiking trails. Vedauwoo Recreation Area Courtesy of heyenne.org Some of the most beautiful natural sculptures you will see are found just 27 miles west of Cheyenne in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Defying gravity up to 500 feet in the air, these ancient rock formations were created by ice, wind and water. The Native Americans named this area Vedauwoo (pronounced Vee-Duh-Voo), which means "Land of the Earthborn Spirits." You'll see why they believed it was a spiritual place when tons of rock seem to balance on inches of space. Pine Bluffs Recreation Area A rustic system of trails in the eastern portion of the county, Pine Bluffs Recreation Area trails through sandstone bluffs and prairie grasses. There is also a golf course and disc golf course like you’ve never played before! CARD WIDGET HERE

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Bass Pro Shops Announces World's Fishing Fair - Springfield, Missouri

That’s when Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 1935 S. Campbell Ave., begins celebrating its 50th anniversary with the World’s Fishing Fair, an event featuring exhibitions, vendors, seminars, concerts, sales and more. The fair is expected to be the largest fishing-focused event in the history of angling. The fair features concerts by Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Chris Janson and others along with NASCAR legends, America’s top fishing pros and outdoor personalities, and some of the brightest minds on the conservation landscape. Other highlights include: Fishing lessons from angling legends and today’s top prosPerspectives on the importance of conservation and how you can help presented by leaders from the world’s finest conservation organizations More than 200 exhibits from more than 150 outdoor gear manufacturersTurkey Days, an exhibit composed of a select group of turkey hunting vendorsSales on fishing tackle and boats Visitors can round out the experience by watching the World Casting Championships and visiting the National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, the International Game Fish Assoc. Hall of Fame, the American Fly Fishing Museum, the Archery Hall of Fame, the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum and Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. This marks the second World’s Fishing Fair for Bass Pro. The first, in 1988, drew an estimated 250,000 people to Bass Pro’s flagship store in Springfield. Fifty percent of proceeds from fair admission fees will be donated to support conservation efforts. For more information about the World’s Fishing Fair and the latest schedule, visit basspro.com/fishingfair. The event schedule and lodging information are updated regularly. For information about places to stay, play, shop and eat in Springfield, visit the Convention & Visitors Bureau website. CARD WIDGET HERE