Planning a Dude Ranch Vacation? Big Data Says These Are the Best in the US.

How were dude ranches ranked?

The Holafly dude ranch index ranked all 91 of the ranches represented in the Dude Ranchers’ Association’s official list of guest ranches, and came up with a list of the top 50. To rank them, it used data-driven methodology that evaluated everything from guest reviews to cost and airport access. Each ranch was scored across eight weighted categories: proximity to both regional and international airports, the number of horseback and non-horseback activities offered, the volume of on-site amenities and special events, the variety of dining options, its TripAdvisor review rating, and the average cost per night during July (generally the priciest month at dude ranches).

Each metric was normalized to a 100-point scale, with higher values indicating better performance (except for price, where lower cost contributed to a higher score). The final score for each ranch is the average of all those individual factors.

The top dude ranches in the US

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According to the data collected, the top dude ranch is Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Colorado, with a score of 71.2. With a modest nightly rate of $391, a near-perfect 4.9 TripAdvisor rating, and access to both regional and international airports, it ranked consistently well across nearly all categories. Following closely were Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge in Montana with a score of 70.7, and White Stallion Ranch in Arizona with 69.2. Both have easy access, a robst menu of amenities, and constantly high guest ratings. Alisal Ranch in California and Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona round out the top five. While luxury-focused Alisal Ranch is one of the priciest properties on the list ($1,108 per night), Tanque Verde Ranch is one of the most affordable in the top tier, at $375 per night.

The cheapest and most expensive dude ranches

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Among the top 20 ranches, the most affordable and most expensive were sorted by their least-expensive nightly rate in July, inclusive of taxes and fees.
The most affordable are:

• Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona: $375 per night, ranked #5 overall
• Greenhorn Ranch in California: $390 per night, ranked #6 overall
• Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Colorado: $391 per night, ranked #1 overall

The most expensive are:

• Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado: $1,141 per night, ranked #11 overall
• Alisal Ranch in California: $1,108 per night, ranked #4 overall
• C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado: $1,011 per night, ranked #17 overall

Why is cowboy culture thriving?

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Cowboy culture seems to be growing as a popular US travel trend, driven partially by the post-COVID desire to escape urban centers, be more connected to nature, and live a simpler, more self-reliant lifestyle. For many, COVID highlighted the downsides of crowded cities, from lockdowns and overwhelmed infrastructure to mental health strains tied to indoor isolation. It made open landscapes, fresh air, and the physical activity of ranch life look pretty appealing. Dude ranches are usually in remote places with relatively small numbers of guests, and rates nearly always include access to a full range of on-site or nearby outdoor activities.

Western living is also having a moment in pop culture. TV shows like Yellowstone and its spin-offs have brought everything from boots to wide-brimmed hats and rawhide decor into mainstream style. And for better or worse, the values cowboy culture symbolizes, like resiliency, autonomy, and connecting to the land, have become more culturally embraced. Experiences like horseback riding, cattle drives, and sleeping under the stars can be a chance for people to experience living in the moment and connecting with their surroundings in a new way.