For an authentic wilderness adventure, ditch the business suit and briefcase and harness your inner cowboy at a dude ranch! City slickers who don’t know one end of a horse from the other can learn to ride and those who can already sit a saddle will find their skills improve quickly with some tips from the resident wranglers.

Cattle drives on a real working ranch are not just for show and entertainment. The cattle need to be moved from pasture to pasture and you can help. Don fringed chaps, leather gloves and of course, a cowboy hat and go to work with the professionals. The gear is not just for show either; it is very necessary equipment to protect from the elements and the rugged work. And while herding cattle can indeed be hard work, galloping all-out across the wide-open expanse like John Wayne is too exhilarating to be considered anything but play.

You can also enjoy fly fishing in blue ribbon trout streams, trail rides through the high country, and sport clay shooting in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the west. After a day in the saddle or other outdoor adventure, you can soothe those muscles with a soak in the hot tub or a massage from the onsite spa. Dining is a whole other adventure. Get into the spirit of the west with a genuine cowboy chuck wagon meal or a lavish barbeque under the stars. Gourmet meals, fine wines, tasting menus and private chef’s tables in the ranch lodge are also options that are sure to please those cowboys and cowgirls with a discerning palette.

A western-style vacation at these three fabulous properties combines outdoor adventures with rustic-chic accommodations, plenty of luxury and pampering service.

Resort at Paws Up – Located on 37,000 acres on the Blackfoot River in the Montana wilderness, this resort is appointed in a tapestry of rustic elegance. Accommodations are unique private homes, the Bunkhouse which is a former hayloft and Tent City with feather mattresses and fine linens in the wilderness. Sophisticated cuisine with the freshest meats, produce, and ingredients make every meal an adventure. In addition to cattle drives, activities include fly fishing, hiking, golf and more.

2019 Virtuoso partner complimentary amenities: Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), daily full breakfast, complimentary round-trip private airport transfers, a bottle of wine in room on arrival, and a $300 USD activity credit.

 

Triple Creek Ranch – 75 miles south of Missoula, Montana, in the Bitterroot Mountains, this Relais & Chateaux property was voted the number one inn in North America and the number two hotel in the world! 23 luxurious log cabins with private or nearby outdoor hot tubs, wood-burning fireplaces, king beds, and fully-stocked wet bar assure your comfort. All-inclusive rates include world-class cuisine with seasonal locavore, fine wines, and a variety of exhilarating activities. The Ranch is adults only unless a party reserves the entire ranch.

2019 Virtuoso partner complimentary amenities: Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), full breakfast daily, $100 USD Resort/Hotel credit, early check-in/late check-out, complimentary Wi-Fi.

 

Brush Creek Ranch – Located in the heart of Wyoming’s famed Platte River Valley, between the Sierra Madre Mountain range and stunning Medicine Bow National Forest, Brush Creek Ranch is an all-inclusive luxury ranch resort. Reclaim a sense of independence while riding trails, driving cattle, fly-fishing or hiking on 30,000 unspoiled acres. Stay in timbered rooms with open-hearth fireplaces and plush amenities or restored 19th-century log cabins with decks, full kitchens, and expansive views.

2019 Virtuoso partner complimentary amenities: Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), full breakfast daily, $150 USD premium activity credit, early check-in/late check-out, complimentary Wi-Fi.

Let the adventure experts at Covington Travel arrange your western adventure at a luxury dude ranch so you can get in touch with your inner cowboy!