10 must-see family ranches in North America (2025)


With horses to ride, fish to catch, and hearty cowboy meals to devour, there’s no time for screens on a guys’ ranch vacation—and for many families, that’s a good thing. Set in breathtaking natural landscapes and offering all-inclusive amenities, North America’s best ranches are perfect for family vacations and multi-generational travel. Some are open year-round and others are seasonal, but these guest ranches all offer fresh air, scenic horseback adventures, and memories to cherish. Here are the best guest ranches in the United States and Canada.

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1. C Lazy U Ranch

Granby, Colorado

C Lazy U Ranch’s luxury cabins feature a stone fireplace and handcrafted furniture (Photo: C Lazy U Ranch)

If you’ve ever considered a guys’ ranch vacation, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the C Lazy U Ranch. Close to Rocky Mountain National Park, this all-inclusive ranch offers everything from classic ranch activities like trail hikes to surprising options like a ropes course and zip line. Seasonal children’s programs are available for children ages 3 to 17. Most of the ranch’s 38 private cabins feature stone fireplaces, and many have bunk beds.

2. Three Bar Guest Ranch

Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada

Interior of the Three Bars Guest Ranch cabin; best ranches for families in the United States and CanadaInterior of the Three Bars Guest Ranch cabin; best ranches for families in the United States and Canada
Three Bars Ranch’s cozy cabins feature a porch for relaxing (Photo: Three Bars Ranch)

The 35,000-acre Three Bars Ranch, located in Canada’s Thousand Peaks Valley near Banff, offers a world-class equestrian program, rafting trips, fly fishing, hiking , cycling, skeet shooting and perfect evenings for families. Additional amenities include an indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub, tennis court, gym, and petting zoo. Its intimate and friendly setting makes it ideal for week-long stays full of adventure.

3. Ranch Tanque Vert

Tucson, Arizona

Children riding horses through the desertChildren riding horses through the desert
Tanque Verde Ranch offers a wide range of activities for children (Photo: Tanque Verde Ranch)

At Tanque Verde Ranch, children are divided by age into the Daily Kids program, which is covered by the all-inclusive rate and includes activities like horseback riding, swimming, and arts and crafts. Hiking, mountain biking, trail rides and the spa are options for all ages. The Breakfast Ride and Cowboy Cookout are two unique dining experiences the whole family will love.

4. Heavenly Guest Ranch

Buffalo, Wyoming

aerial view of Paradise Guest Ranch, one of the best family ranches in the United Statesaerial view of Paradise Guest Ranch, one of the best family ranches in the United States
Enjoy a rustic yet elegant family getaway at Paradise Guest Ranch (Photo: Canon Brownell)

The century-old Paradise Guest Ranch offers week-long family stays during the summer and adult-only weeks when the kids go back to school. Fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, archery, and outdoor evening programs under the stars are among the top activities here. The cabins are rustically elegant and have one to four bedrooms. Three meals a day are served in the dining room and the French Creek Saloon hosts a range of activities for all ages.

5. Greenhorn Ranch

Quincy, California

A child and an adult ride horses near a corralA child and an adult ride horses near a corral
Greenhorn Ranch offers horseback riding opportunities for guests of all ages and abilities (Photo: Greenhorn Ranch)

At Greenhorn Ranch in California’s Lost Sierras near Reno, the emphasis is on horseback riding for all levels, including loping for adventurous riders. Beginners will enjoy guided hikes recounting local history. Children aged three to 11 can participate in fishing, archery and crafts, while evenings bring family fun like movie nights and s’mores around a fire. camp. Accommodations include 16 rustic cabins, 12 lodge rooms, and a renovated airflow. The all-inclusive ranch serves hearty meals with local ingredients.

6. Rainbow Trout Ranch

Anthony, Colorado

Rainbow Trout RanchRainbow Trout Ranch
Colorado’s Rainbow Trout Ranch is one of the most remote ranches in the United States (Photo: Rainbow Trout Ranch)

Surrounded by 600 acres of national forest, Colorado’s Rainbow Trout Ranch features 16 cozy log cabins with fireplaces, sleeping one to eight people. At its heart is a magnificent wooden lodge, the second largest west of the Mississippi, featuring an expansive wraparound deck overlooking pastures and horse corrals. The serene setting, where only the wind whispers through the pines, makes this secluded ranch perfect for an unforgettable family getaway.

7. Triangle X Ranch

Moose, Wyoming

A five-generation guest ranch near Jackson Hole, Triangle The ranch is an authorized National Park Service concessionaire and an authorized U.S. Forest Service permittee, equating to millions of acres of equestrian territory in one of the most remote areas of the country. Accommodations include 20 one- to four-bedroom rustic cabins to support children’s and teen programs during peak season.

8. Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge

Bigfork, Montana

Flathead Lake CabinFlathead Lake Cabin
Ranch experiences include horseback riding, water sports and home-cooked meals (Photo: Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge)

On the shores of Flathead Lake, Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Montana. The lodge evokes the spirit of yesteryear while offering an all-inclusive men’s ranch vacation that includes horseback riding, water sports and home-cooked meals. Fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and archery are other options to stay busy, and summer programs are offered for children and teens. The lodge’s rooms, cabins and suites are all furnished in a Western style.

9. Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort

Solvang, California

Alisal Guest Ranch and ResortAlisal Guest Ranch and Resort
Alisal Ranch is in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country (Photo: Teal Thompsen)

Kids love the “Lil Riders” hiking program at Alisal Ranch, a luxury ranch located on 10,500 acres in Santa Barbara wine country. In the barnyard, they can help staff collect eggs each morning. Other activities include hiking, cycling, arts and crafts, golf, and an on-site spa. Learn how to barbecue like a pro at BBQ Bootcamp, one of the ranch’s signature experiences. Accommodation options include studios, cottages, and guesthouses for larger groups.

10. The Ranch at Rock Creek

Philipsburg, Montana

A little boy with a cowboy hat eating S'mores outsideA little boy with a cowboy hat eating S'mores outside
Kids will love their stay at The Ranch at Rock Creek as much as adults (Photo: The Ranch at Rock Creek)

Situated on 6,000 acres in Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers unexpected amenities like a 2,000-square-foot spa and a ranch sommelier to accompany the usual ranch activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, cycling and archery. In winter, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and sledding take center stage. The Forest Rangers Club in Flint offers outdoor educational programs for children ages four to 12, and the whole family can mine sapphires or take part in the ropes course together. Lodge rooms and luxury cabins are among the accommodation options.

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Beth Luberecki also contributed to this story.



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