Yellowstone series sparks demand for Dude Ranch Vacations
Yellowstone, the wildly popular cable television series starring Kevin Costner, has sparked newfound interest in the Rocky Mountains and specifically luxury dude ranch vacations. Red Reflet Ranch, a 28,000-guest ranch in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, has experienced a surge of guests booking five-figure vacations because of their love for the show.
Red Reflet even hosted one guest who asked to be called “Kacey” during his stay. For those who don’t watch the show, Kayce Dutton is the heart-throb son of Yellowstone Ranch owner John Dutton (played by Costner) on the show. The boom of RV travel, road trips and staycations due to COVID-19 has also bolstered demand for these exclusive getaways.
Here are a few world-class guest ranches where holidaymakers can experience the luxurious cowboy lifestyle of the Dutton family on Yellowstone.
1. Red Reflet Ranch is a 28,000+ acre luxury resort and working ranch in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Activities include equestrian programs, mountain biking and hiking on 100+ miles of private trails, ATV tours, shooting ranges, fly fishing, family-friendly activities (climbing wall, natural water park, zip-line), cooking classes, cattle branding, farm-to-table cuisine and more. Guests stay in fully-stocked, private cabins at the all-inclusive luxury ranch.
2. The High Lonesome Ranch sits along the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies. With a national park-scale landscape perfectly situated to help connect large ecosystems, High Lonesome Ranch is located on a key habitat corridor. Fly-fishing for five species of trout, wing-shooting for upland game birds in pristine coverts, dude ranch weeks where families and friends can participate in real cattle drives, glamorous camping in safari-style tents, family reunions, weddings, corporate group retreats, big game hunting, and personal getaways beckon.
3. The Ranch at Rock Creek, located in the heart of Western Montana. Originally a working ranch homesteaded in the early 1900’s, owner Jim Manley opened it as an all-inclusive guest ranch in 2010. Set among 10 square miles of rugged Montana ranchland, the ranch offers guests over 30 outdoor recreational activities, and dozens of unique accommodations featuring four different styles (lodge rooms, canvas cabins, historic barn and luxury homes), memorable ranch cuisine, and a full-service spa. Families, couples, and friends will discover that The Ranch at Rock Creek is a special place that offers the best of America’s “True West” without sacrificing true comfort.
4. The Bar W Ranch is a traditional, western-style ranch resort on Spencer Lake in Montana. The 3,000-acre property is a year-round dude ranch that treats guests with true Montana hospitality. All meals are included, as are activities such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, archery, and fishing. There are picnic areas, BBQs and lawn games, plus a hot tub. Glamping at the Bar W offers a luxury camping resort experience combined with a true cowboy vacation only 23 miles from Glacier National Park.