10 Reasons to Plan a Ranch Vacation in Cody Yellowstone This Year

CODY, Wyo., April 11, 2025 – With 17 dude and guest ranches and one working ranch dotting the forested regions that surround the town of Cody, enthusiasts of classic Western adventures have plenty of choices for a ranch vacation this year. And now is the time to make plans, as many ranches sell out in the summer, especially during the peak summer weeks.

Ranch choices include dude ranches with all-inclusive itineraries, and guest ranches with a la carte options. There’s also a working ranch – Fiddle Back Ranch – where guests can observe daily ranch activities.

“Ranch vacations provide travelers of all ages with a chance to experience the romance and appeal of the American West in the same ways that early ranch visitors did more than a century ago,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park. “There’s a ranch vacation for every type of traveler, too. Multi-generational groups may want to choose a dude ranch vacation with a set itinerary, while some travelers may prefer to choose a few experiences at a guest ranch. Whatever they choose, though, travelers will be treated with the same legendary hospitality that dude ranchers experienced generations ago.”

Dude and guest ranches have been a staple of the American vacation experience since the early 1880s when Howard Eaton started the Custer Trail Ranch in the Dakota Badlands and ran horse packing trips to Yellowstone National Park. Most early ranch guests were from the East, and part of the adventure for these guests was to don Western attire like cowboy hats, cowboy boots and chaps, prompting their hosts to call them “dudes.”

Modern-day ranch visitors are still invited to “cowboy up” with hats, boots and other Western attire. Downtown Cody shops like the Cowboy Palace and Wayne’s Boot Shop sell an array of attire, from boots to shirts.
Examples of ranches in Cody Yellowstone include the Bill Cody Ranch, a guest ranch celebrating its 100th anniversary this year; Elephant Head Lodge, a pet-friendly guest ranch with family-friendly activities; K3 Guest Ranch Bed & Breakfast, where guests can stay in a converted wagon or bedroom in the main lodge; Rimrock Dude Ranch, with modern cabins and an outdoor pool and hot tub; Pahaska Tepee, a guest ranch featuring Buffalo Bill’s original hunting lodge as well as cabins, a restaurant and bar; and UXU Ranch, known for its culinary excellence and comfortable cabins.
Here are 10 reasons to add a ranch vacation in Cody Yellowstone to your vacation plans this year.

1. Original ecolodges – Travelers who want to minimize waste and impact when they travel can feel good about taking a ranch vacation. With a focus on sustainable landscaping, minimizing waste, human-wildlife harmony and serving locally sourced foods, sustainable operations are a way of life for dude and guest ranches.

2. Backcountry adventure for everyone – No matter what their previous experience in the wilderness, travelers can have a safe and fulfilling backcountry adventure at a ranch. Wranglers and guides are primarily focused on guest safety, so whether guests are enjoying a trail ride, hike or fishing excursion, they can count on the expertise of their leaders.

3. Fishing – Fishing is a not just a pastime in Cody Yellowstone; it’s a way of life. Under the careful tutelage of their guides, ranch guests can learn effective and fun fishing techniques for casting in streams and rivers throughout the region.

4. New friends – Whether its crooning around a campfire or enjoying a relaxed backcountry lunch in an outcropping, there is plenty of time for ranch guests to get to know one another.

5. Cowboy attire – Even fashion-forward urban dwellers will enjoy the laid-back attire of a dude rancher which typically includes jeans, cowboy boots, cowboy hats and sturdy all-weather jackets.

6. Fresh food – There’s no Kroger down the street, so ranches rely on serving foods using locally sourced beef, fish and vegetables and making fresh desserts using old-fashioned techniques like Dutch-oven campfire cooking.

7. Starry nights – Most ranches are situated far from city lights, so there’s minimal light pollution. Wyoming has some of the clearest and darkest skies in the country, particularly in northwestern Wyoming’s Park County, where just 30,000 residents are spread out over 7,000 square miles.

8. Ranching your way – Whether travelers prefer a set itinerary for a multi-day stay or a choice of activities throughout the day, there’s an option for everyone. Dude ranch schedules often include a day in Yellowstone National Park, a day devoted to in-town adventures like the Cody Nite Rodeo, adventures like horseback riding and fishing and evening events, such as a square dance or campfire cookout.

9. Unplug – Although ranches are equipped with Wi-Fi, guests often find themselves voluntarily unplugging from their devices so they can enjoy the views, sounds and vibes of the wilderness.

10. Solo travel – With plenty of guests to chat with over dinners and guides to assure their safety and comfort, ranch vacations can be a perfect fit for solo travelers.

Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.

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Media contact:
Mesereau Travel Public Relations
720-284-1512
[email protected]
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