When you think of the Dutton family ranch, peaceful might not be the first word that comes to mind amid the murders, deceit and missing cattle—and yet, doesn’t it still look dreamy? Lucky for us you ...

The origin of the dude ranch vacation is a fascinating story. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, “dude” was the name given to “big-shot city slickers” by Western cattle ranchers (or cowboys).

Dude ranch vacations bring to mind western states like Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana, which are chock-full of places for a city slicker to ride horses, eat hearty meals, square dance and ...

I never thought I'd visit a real dude ranch, much less ride a horse - something I had never done. This fact surprises many, because I grew up on a farm near Floodwood. (I did drive a tractor, though.) ...

As the winter snows melt and springtime comes to the vast expanses of the American West, the land comes alive. And one of the best ways to experience the awakening West is on a ranch. Here, it's still ...

Cowboys. Horses. Guns. Booze. And tennis? When it comes to dude ranches, hosts are adopting John Wayne’s, “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do,” and are offering options unheard of just a few ...

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky We rode our line of horses along a trail winding between giant saguaro cactuses ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Happily telling stories about travel and discovery around the world. Dude ranch vacations are classically American, combining ...

David Scott finds a new friend at French Broad Outpost Ranch. Dude ranch vacations bring to mind western states like Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana, which are chock-full of places for a ...

We rode our line of horses along a trail winding between giant saguaro cactuses towering nearly 30 feet in the air like spiky desert signposts. Despite being in southern Arizona, we shivered in the ...