Creede, Colorado
4UR Ranch
A historic hot-springs guest ranch near the headwaters of the Rio Grande
FamilyFly fishingLuxury
Family Dude Ranches with Kids’ Programs
A good kids’ program is what turns a ranch week into a holiday for the whole family. Here is every ranch on Frontier Stays that runs one, from small family outfits to luxury resorts.
- 54 ranches
- Updated October 2026
- Checked against each ranch's own information
The short answer
Dozens of dude ranches across the West run children's programs. For a classic family week, look at historic ranches such as Eatons' Ranch in Wyoming, open to guests since 1879, Cherokee Park in Colorado and Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge in Montana.
For more comfort, C Lazy U, Vista Verde and The Ranch at Rock Creek combine kids' programs with luxury. In winter, the Arizona desert ranches such as Tanque Verde also run children's programs. Use the table to compare season, stay length and whether the price is all-inclusive.
All 54 ranches at a glance
| Ranch | Location | Season | Typical stay | Kids' program | All-inclusive | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4UR Ranch | Creede, Colorado | June – September | 3-night minimum | ✓ | – | San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS), about 75 miles; Denver (DEN) about 184 miles |
| 63 Ranch | Livingston, Montana | Summer | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 50 miles; pickup can be arranged |
| 7D Ranch | Cody, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights | ✓ | – | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, about 52 miles; shuttle available |
| A Bar A Ranch | Encampment, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights June to August; 3 nights late August to September | ✓ | – | Laramie Regional Airport (LAR), about 83 miles; Denver (DEN) about 187 miles |
| Absaroka Ranch | Dubois, Wyoming | June – August | 4 or 6 nights | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 78 miles; shuttle available |
| Alisal Ranch | Solvang, California | Year-round | Flexible; nightly stays | ✓ | – | Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), about 35 miles |
| Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge | Bigfork, Montana | June – September | 7 nights, Sunday to Sunday | ✓ | ✓ | Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), about 30 miles |
| Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch | Parshall, Colorado | June – September | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 124 miles |
| Bar W Guest Ranch | Whitefish, Montana | Year-round | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), about 16 miles; shuttle $55 each way |
| Brush Creek Ranch | Saratoga, Wyoming | Year-round | 3 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| C Lazy U Ranch | Granby, Colorado | Year-round | 7 nights in peak summer (Sunday to Sunday); 2 to 5 nights the rest of the year | ✓ | ✓ | Denver International Airport (DIA) |
| Cherokee Park Ranch | Livermore, Colorado | June – September | 6 nights in summer; 3 nights in September | ✓ | ✓ | Denver International (DEN) or Northern Colorado Regional (FNL), each about 50 miles |
| CM Ranch | Dubois, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights, Sunday to Sunday | ✓ | ✓ | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC); ranch transfers $250 per car each way |
| Devil’s Thumb Ranch | Tabernash, Colorado | Year-round | Flexible; nightly bookings | ✓ | – | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 2 hours |
| Drowsy Water Ranch | Granby, Colorado | May – September | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 100 miles |
| Eatons’ Ranch | Wolf, Wyoming | June – September | 3-night minimum; most guests stay a week | ✓ | ✓ | Sheridan County Airport (SHR), about 20 miles; Billings (BIL), about 125 miles |
| Elkhorn Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana | Summer | Ask the ranch | ✓ | ✓ | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 58 miles |
| JJJ Wilderness Ranch | Augusta, Montana | Summer | Sunday to Friday | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Latigo Ranch | Kremmling, Colorado | January – February, June – September | 6 nights in summer; 3 nights in winter | ✓ | ✓ | Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), about 81 miles; Denver (DEN) about 135 miles |
| Lazy L&B Ranch | Dubois, Wyoming | June – August | 6 nights | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 99 miles |
| Lost Creek Ranch & Spa | Moose, Wyoming | June – September | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 10 miles; shuttle included |
| Lost Valley Ranch | Sedalia, Colorado | March – November | 7 nights in summer; 3-night minimum in spring and fall | ✓ | – | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 44 miles; shuttle available |
| Majestic Dude Ranch | Mancos, Colorado | May – October | 6 nights, June to September | ✓ | ✓ | Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), about 46 miles |
| Medicine Bow Lodge | Saratoga, Wyoming | May – September | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Laramie Regional Airport (LAR), about 78 miles; Denver (DEN) about 230 miles |
| Nine Quarter Circle Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana | June – September | 6 nights in summer | ✓ | – | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), about 60 miles; shuttle available |
| Paradise Guest Ranch | Buffalo, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights | ✓ | ✓ | Sheridan County Airport (SHR), about 50 miles; Casper (CPR), about 100 miles |
| R Lazy S Ranch | Teton Village, Wyoming | June – September | 7 nights | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 35 miles |
| Rainbow Trout Ranch | Antonito, Colorado | June – September | 6 nights | ✓ | – | Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), about 76 miles; Santa Fe (SAF), about 106 miles |
| Rancho de los Caballeros | Wickenburg, Arizona | Ask the ranch | 3-night minimum | ✓ | – | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), about 75 miles |
| Rankin Ranch | Caliente, California | March – November | 2 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Red Horse Mountain Ranch | Harrison, Idaho | May – October | 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday | ✓ | ✓ | Spokane International Airport (GEG), about 70 miles |
| Red Rock Ranch | Kelly, Wyoming | June – August | 6 nights in summer; 3 nights in early June and late August | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) |
| Rocking Z Guest Ranch | Wolf Creek, Montana | March – October | 3-night minimum | ✓ | – | Helena Regional Airport (HLN), about 26 miles |
| Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch | Cariboo, British Columbia | May – September | 3 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Sundance Guest Ranch | Ashcroft, British Columbia | Summer | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Ask the ranch |
| Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch | Loveland, Colorado | June – August | 5 or 6 nights in summer | ✓ | – | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 67 miles |
| Tanque Verde Ranch | Tucson, Arizona | Year-round | Flexible; nightly rates | ✓ | ✓ | Tucson International Airport (TUS) |
| The Branded Rock Canyon | De Beque, Colorado | April – December | 3 - 6 days | ✓ | ✓ | Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), about 1 hour; Denver (DEN) about 4 hours |
| The Home Ranch | Clark, Colorado | Year-round | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) |
| The Resort at Paws Up | Greenough, Montana | Year-round | Flexible; nightly rates | ✓ | ✓ | Missoula Montana Airport (MSO), about 35 miles; transfers included |
| Triangle X Ranch | Moose, Wyoming | Year-round | 7 nights in summer; 4-night minimum in winter | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 16 miles; shuttle available |
| UXU Ranch | Wapiti, Wyoming | June – September | 4 or 5 nights, starting Sunday | ✓ | ✓ | Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, about 37 miles; shuttle available |
| Vista Verde Guest Ranch | Clark, Colorado | Year-round | 6 nights in summer (Sunday to Saturday); 3 to 7 nights in winter | ✓ | ✓ | Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), shuttle included; Denver (DEN) is about 175 miles away |
| Western Pleasure Guest Ranch | Sandpoint, Idaho | Year-round | 3-night minimum in summer; flexible in winter | ✓ | ✓ | Spokane International Airport (GEG), about 90 miles; shuttle $350 |
| Wind River Ranch | Estes Park, Colorado | June – October | 6 nights in summer; 4 nights in September and October | ✓ | – | Denver International Airport (DEN), about 81 miles |
| Goosewing Ranch | Jackson, Wyoming | June – September | 3-night minimum | ✓ | – | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 33 miles |
| HF Bar Ranch | Saddlestring, Wyoming | June – August | Ask the ranch | ✓ | – | Ask the ranch |
| Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch | Stanley, Idaho | June – September | 3+ | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Lone Mountain Ranch | Big Sky, Montana | Year-round | 3 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Mountain Sky Guest Ranch | Emigrant, Montana | May – October | 5 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Rawah Ranch | Glendevey, Colorado | June – September | 3-night minimum | ✓ | – | Laramie Regional Airport (LAR), about 58 miles; Denver (DEN) about 190 miles |
| Silvies Valley Ranch | Seneca, Oregon | Year-round | 3 - 5 days | ✓ | – | Ask the ranch |
| The Ranch at Rock Creek | Philipsburg, Montana | Year-round | 5 - 7 days | ✓ | ✓ | Ask the ranch |
| Three Bars Guest Ranch | Cranbrook, British Columbia | May – October | 2-night minimum; most guests stay a week | ✓ | ✓ | Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), Cranbrook, about 10 miles; free shuttle |
“–” means the ranch doesn't list it, not necessarily that it isn't offered. Always confirm details and prices with the ranch.
The ranches
Livingston, Montana
63 Ranch
A family-run Montana dude ranch since 1929
Family
Cody, Wyoming
7D Ranch
A secluded dude ranch in Wyoming's Sunlight Basin
FamilyFly fishing
Encampment, Wyoming
A Bar A Ranch
One of the oldest and largest guest ranches in the West, on the North Platte River
FamilyFly fishing
Dubois, Wyoming
Absaroka Ranch
A tiny ranch at the headwaters of the Wind River
FamilyRomantic & adults-only
Solvang, California
Alisal Ranch
A 10,000-acre working ranch in Santa Barbara wine country
FamilySpa & wellnessWinter
Bigfork, Montana
Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
A family dude ranch on the shore of Flathead Lake
All-inclusiveFamilyLuxury
Parshall, Colorado
Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch
Colorado's oldest continuously operating guest ranch, on the Colorado River
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Whitefish, Montana
Bar W Guest Ranch
A small year-round ranch minutes from Whitefish
All-inclusiveFamilyWinter
Saratoga, Wyoming
Brush Creek Ranch
True Spirit of the American West & All-Inclusive Luxury
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Granby, Colorado
C Lazy U Ranch
Colorado's premier guest ranch since 1919
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Livermore, Colorado
Cherokee Park Ranch
A family-owned northern Colorado ranch welcoming guests since 1886
All-inclusiveFamilyWorking ranch
Dubois, Wyoming
CM Ranch
A classic family dude ranch near Dubois, Wyoming
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Tabernash, Colorado
Devil’s Thumb Ranch
A 6,500-acre ranch resort and spa near Winter Park
FamilyFly fishingSpa & wellness
Granby, Colorado
Drowsy Water Ranch
A family-run Colorado dude ranch since 1977
All-inclusiveFamilyWorking ranch
Wolf, Wyoming
Eatons’ Ranch
America's oldest dude ranch, in the Bighorns since 1879
All-inclusiveFamily
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Elkhorn Ranch
A historic dude ranch on the Gallatin River, a mile from Yellowstone
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Augusta, Montana
JJJ Wilderness Ranch
A family-run dude ranch on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Kremmling, Colorado
Latigo Ranch
A small all-inclusive ranch and Nordic center at 9,000 feet
All-inclusiveFamilyWinter
Dubois, Wyoming
Lazy L&B Ranch
A family-run riverside ranch in the Wind River country
Family
Moose, Wyoming
Lost Creek Ranch & Spa
All-inclusive luxury beside Grand Teton National Park
All-inclusiveFamilyLuxury
Sedalia, Colorado
Lost Valley Ranch
A historic ranch in Pike National Forest, under an hour from Denver
FamilyWorking ranch
Mancos, Colorado
Majestic Dude Ranch
A high-energy family dude ranch near Mesa Verde country, 35 minutes from Durango
All-inclusiveFamily
Saratoga, Wyoming
Medicine Bow Lodge
A small family-run lodge in the Medicine Bow forest, welcoming guests since 1917
Family
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Nine Quarter Circle Ranch
A Kelsey family dude ranch near Yellowstone for three-quarters of a century
FamilyFly fishing
Buffalo, Wyoming
Paradise Guest Ranch
A week in the saddle in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains
All-inclusiveFamilyWorking ranch
Teton Village, Wyoming
R Lazy S Ranch
A classic Jackson Hole dude ranch since 1947, between the Tetons and the Snake River
FamilyFly fishing
Antonito, Colorado
Rainbow Trout Ranch
A third-generation family ranch on the Conejos River
FamilyFly fishingWorking ranch
Wickenburg, Arizona
Rancho de los Caballeros
Riding and golf on an 18,000-acre desert ranch near Phoenix
FamilyWinterWorking ranch
Caliente, California
Rankin Ranch
A peaceful country ranch vacation in California’s Walker Basin
All-inclusiveFamilyWorking ranch
Harrison, Idaho
Red Horse Mountain Ranch
Riding and adventure above Lake Coeur d'Alene
All-inclusiveFamily
Kelly, Wyoming
Red Rock Ranch
A family dude ranch in the Gros Ventre Mountains since 1974
FamilyWorking ranch
Wolf Creek, Montana
Rocking Z Guest Ranch
An 18-guest family ranch on Little Prickly Pear Creek, 26 miles from Helena
FamilyFly fishingWorking ranch
Cariboo, British Columbia
Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch
Canada’s Premier Luxury Guest Ranch
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Ashcroft, British Columbia
Sundance Guest Ranch
A horse-centred ranch in BC's Thompson River valley
Family
Loveland, Colorado
Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
A Jessup family working ranch on the Big Thompson since 1946
FamilyWorking ranch
Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Ranch
A historic desert guest ranch in the Rincon Mountain foothills
All-inclusiveFamilySpa & wellness
De Beque, Colorado
The Branded Rock Canyon
Adventures at the Ranch
All-inclusiveFamily
Clark, Colorado
The Home Ranch
A Relais & Châteaux guest ranch in the Elk River Valley
FamilyFly fishingLuxury
Greenough, Montana
The Resort at Paws Up
Luxury homes and glamping on a 37,000-acre Montana ranch
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Moose, Wyoming
Triangle X Ranch
A five-generation family dude ranch inside Grand Teton National Park
FamilyWinter
Wapiti, Wyoming
UXU Ranch
A historic 1929 guest ranch 17 miles from Yellowstone's East Gate
All-inclusiveFamilySpa & wellness
Clark, Colorado
Vista Verde Guest Ranch
Laid back luxury. Endless adventure.
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Sandpoint, Idaho
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
A small, year-round family ranch near Sandpoint, Idaho
All-inclusiveFamilyWinter
Estes Park, Colorado
Wind River Ranch
A Christian family guest ranch at 9,200 feet near Estes Park
Family
Jackson, Wyoming
Goosewing Ranch
A riding-first ranch deep in the Gros Ventre valley, 33 miles from Jackson Hole Airport
FamilyFly fishing
Saddlestring, Wyoming
HF Bar Ranch
One of Wyoming's oldest guest ranches, on 7,500 acres in the Bighorn foothills
FamilyFly fishingWorking ranch
Stanley, Idaho
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
Idaho’s Finest Guest Ranch in the Sawtooth Mountains
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Big Sky, Montana
Lone Mountain Ranch
Luxury All-Inclusive Guest Ranch in Big Sky Country
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Emigrant, Montana
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
Upscale Family & Adventure Guest Ranch
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Glendevey, Colorado
Rawah Ranch
A small, high-country ranch on the Laramie River
Family
Seneca, Oregon
Silvies Valley Ranch
A Ranch for All Seasons
FamilyFly fishingSpa & wellness
Philipsburg, Montana
The Ranch at Rock Creek
Forbes Five-Star All-Inclusive Luxury Ranch Resort
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
Cranbrook, British Columbia
Three Bars Guest Ranch
A family guest ranch in the Canadian Rockies
All-inclusiveFamilyFly fishing
What a ranch kids’ program usually includes
Most programs mix riding lessons and trail rides with ranch activities such as fishing, crafts, hikes and campfires, run by counselors or wranglers. Many split children by age, often something like 3 to 5, 6 to 12 and teens. Some run all day, so parents can ride or relax; others run in the mornings, with family time in the afternoon.
Questions to ask a ranch
- From what age can my child join the kids’ program, and from what age can they ride on the trail?
- Are there family rides, so we can ride together?
- Do children eat with their parents or separately? Some ranches, such as Moose Head Ranch, deliberately have no kids’ program so families do everything together.
- Is babysitting available in the evening?
- Is the program included in the rate?
Best time to go with kids
July and August match most school holidays and are the busiest weeks, so book early. June is quieter but can still be cool in the mountains. For a winter trip, the desert ranches around Tucson and ranches open in the snow, such as Triangle X, are options; see our winter dude ranches.
Frequently asked questions
Which dude ranches have kids' programs?
Every ranch on this page runs a children's program, from small family ranches such as Rawah Ranch and Western Pleasure to luxury ranches such as C Lazy U and The Ranch at Rock Creek.
What age is a dude ranch good for?
Most kids' programs start between ages 3 and 6, and trail riding usually starts around age 6. Ranches are often at their best for families with children aged 6 to 16.
Do kids ride horses at a dude ranch?
Yes. Children get their own riding program, with lessons and trail rides suited to their age and ability, and often family rides with their parents.
Is a dude ranch good for a family with teenagers?
Many ranches run separate teen programs with faster rides, cattle work and adventure activities. Check whether a ranch has a dedicated teen group.