Imagine yourself taking the best vacation of your life at a dude ranch. The cool, fresh mountain air, the open spaces, the feel of a steady horse beneath you as you top the next rise. There is a little cowboy in all of us. Come find yours...
Dude ranches are the original Western vacation. Our first ranchers introduced the unique beauty of the American West to “dudes” from all over. All this happened in the best way possible: from the back of a horse. This horseback adventure was surrounded by honest and real Western hospitality that these dude ranch pioneers considered a part of the code of the west.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association was founded to preserve, protect, and promote their unique vacation experience and its identity. Though guest expectations have changed and ranchers have had to change with them, the core principles of dude ranching remain the same.
The following six words beginning with H represent the ideas that summarize those principles. The notes clarify how these principles apply to any ranch that is a member or seeks to become a member of the DRA.
Horses
* Horses are central to any dude ranch experience.
* There must be adequate stock, tack, facilities, and trails for the riding program. All will be well cared for.
* Attention will be paid to horse and rider safety.
Hats
* Hats symbolize the special emphasis on Western atmosphere and appearance.
Hospitality
* A genuine friendly Western welcome with staff, food, accommodations, facilities, and activities to authenticate it.
Heritage
* Dude ranch vacations began as long stays where relationships developed and guests had an exclusive and complete ranch experience.
* Dude ranch guests will be on an American plan.
* Even amidst today’s pressures for quick visits and short vacations, ranches should encourage week-long stays (6 or 7 nights.)
* Regular multi-day dude ranch guests should not be significantly or adversely affected by any non-dude ranch business.
Honesty
* You are at least as good as you advertise, if not better.
* You operate your business with integrity.
Heart
* You have a heart for developing friendships with your guests and demonstrate it in your actions.
The Dude Rancher's Association is the governing body of the West's Dude Ranch industry. The Association was created to provide an organized structure for its members, in which they are able to exchange ideas and experiences in an effort to uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. The Association promotes the western ranch vacation, while continuing to build a stronger working relationship with Federal and State land agencies in order to preserve and protect parks, forests, and wildlife. The Association makes every effort to assure the successful continuation of the traditional Western Dude Ranch experience.
Dude and Guest Ranch Vacations
"The Dude Ranchers' Association was formed in 1926 to preserve this special way of life and the wonderful environment in which dude ranching takes place. When you vacation at a Dude Ranchers' Association member ranch, you can be sure of a quality vacation. Our dude ranches offer all-inclusive vacations that are perfect for solo travelers, multi-generational families and corporate events. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, cycling, zip lining, white water rafting, rodeos, camp fire sing-a-longs, western dancing, fine dining and more await your discovery on your next dude ranch vacation."
