Dude Ranchers’ Association Welcomes Four New Accredited Ranches
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The Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA) has added four new ranches to its impressive list of member ranches: The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in California, Creek Ranch in New Mexico, Badger Creek Cattle and Guest Ranch in Colorado, and Rancho De La Osa in Arizona. All four ranches went through a rigorous inspection and approval process and were found to meet the highest standards in the dude ranch industry.
The DRA represents a broad spectrum of guest ranches across North America, ranging from luxury ranches with five-star cuisine and spas to no-frills working ranches. The DRA was established in 1926 to preserve, protect and promote the special experience a dude ranch vacation provides. There are currently more than 100 DRA-accredited ranches.
“Guests staying at a DRA-accredited ranch are guaranteed a top-of-the-line Western vacation experience,” said Colleen Hodson, executive director of the DRA. “These ranches combine the highest hospitality standards with the charm and unparalled spirit of the Wild West.”
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort – Santa Barbara, Calif.
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort is a secluded property located in California’s famed wine country, Santa Ynez Valley, just 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Alisal features 50 miles of riding trails, a 100-acre spring-fed lake, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, a pool, a spa and much more. The Western-themed accommodations and activities ensure guests will enjoy a true dude ranch experience, but Alisal prides itself on being “far more” than your traditional ranch. With its year-round temperate climate, Santa Ynez Valley is the perfect place to visit all year.
Creek Ranch – Creek Ranch, N.M.
Creek Ranch, located 30 minutes from Santa Rosa, N.M., is a bare-boned Wild West experience. At this carefree and relaxed ranch, guests can horseback ride as much as they desire and end each day sitting around a campfire telling stories. Creek Ranch boasts 8,200 acres of unspoiled land with stunning sunsets as the backdrop. Consider these spectacular views all the frills you’ll need in order to experience the ultimate dude ranch vacation. This ranch only accommodates up to eight people at a time, keeping it as personal and customized as possible for each and every guest. With roping and shooting lessons on the agenda in addition to riding, Creek Ranch is perfect for those who have dreamed about a true Wild West experience.
Badger Creek Cattle and Guest Ranch – Badger Creek Basin, Colo.
Whether you’re looking for a lighthearted riding experience or a serious lesson in cattle sorting, your Western vacation at Badger Creek Cattle and Guest Ranch is sure to be unforgettable. Your horse for the week will be your new “best friend,” making the riding experience even more fulfilling. Located on the border of the San Isabel National Forest and Pike National Forest, this ranch is a photographer’s dream, with breathtaking views of the Collegiate Peaks and Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Outside of horseback riding and taking in the incredible views, guests can experience spectacular fly fishing near the ranch, as well as hiking and mountain biking. Of course, relaxation is an option, too. The front porch beckons guests to sit, relax and gaze at the endless stars in the Colorado Rocky Mountain skies.
Rancho De La Osa – Sasabe, Ariz.
Rancho De La Osa is one of the most historically significant ranch properties in the West. The trails here were once frequented by U.S. presidents and legends like Pancho Villa. Guests can even relax in the room where the Marshall Plan was drafted and Margaret Mitchell wrote the American classic “Gone With the Wind.” Aside from being a historical treasure, Rancho De La Osa is a sportsman’s paradise, situated on 509 acres and surrounded by 120,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuge. The food and wine are exceptional, the hospitality top-notch, and the views mystifying. This is the ultimate dude ranch for riding, biking and hiking all while soaking in some of the most important moments in Southwestern history.
