Eatons' Ranch

Eatons’ Ranch is widely regarded as the oldest dude ranch in America. The Eaton family started the ranch in 1879 and still runs it today, on 7,000 acres along the eastern slope of the Big Horn Mountains at Wolf, about 18 miles west of Sheridan. The ranch borders the Bighorn National Forest, so trail rides lead straight out into the mountains.

It is also one of the bigger ranches in the West, with room for about 125 guests and a herd of more than 200 horses. That scale shows in the riding: Eatons’ is one of the few dude ranches that offers unescorted trail rides on its horses, alongside guided all-day rides into the national forest, horsemanship lessons and faster rides for experienced riders.

The season runs from June through September, with a three-night minimum. Days follow a classic ranch rhythm: family-style meals in the dining room, cabins of different sizes with private baths and maid service, trout and bass fishing, hiking, a heated pool and a Saturday-night barbecue by the creek. Children’s programs are organized by age, and trail riding starts at age 6.

Sheridan County Airport is about 20 miles away; Billings, Montana, about 125 miles, is the nearest large airport. Eatons’ does not publish rates on directory listings, so ask the ranch for current prices and what the rate includes.