Wyoming

on location: west ❖

heather lee

f looking for a memorable place to book a family reunion, look no further than Wyoming’s dude ranches. The opportunities are endless.

Featuring abundant grasslands, spectacular mountains, canyons and deserts, Wyoming’s natural beauty is pictureperfect and world-renowned. The state is home to two national parks and two national monuments that draw tourists by the millions. Yellowstone National Park is known around the world for its

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hot springs, geyser activity and glacial ice forms. Grand Teton National Park boasts the jagged Teton Range Mountains with some peaks soaring over a mile and a half. Devils Tower National Monument is a stump-shaped rock formation that rises 1,280 feet. Fossil Butte National Monument features brightly colored fossil beds at the base of a bluff that rises more than 7,500 feet above sea level. Along with these noted landmarks are countless national forests and rivers

that provide settings for the dude ranches in Wyoming.

“It’s all about history, hats, horses and hospitality. Experience the West in true cowboy country.” That’s the slogan for the Wyoming Dude Ranchers Association, founded in 1926. Dude ranches, also known as guest ranches, are typically family-owned and -operated. They provide tourists the opportunity to experience life in the West. Horseback riding, fishing, hiking and cattle driving

Wyoming Dude Ranch Getaways Western-style fun awaits buckaroos of all ages on family reunions in the Cowboy State Saddle up for adventure at a family-friendly Wyoming ranch retreat.

Wyoming Office of Tourism

LeisureGroupTravel.com

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on location: west ❖ are a few of the activities available to suit every age range at a reunion.

No two Wyoming dude ranches are the same. One ranch that specializes in family reunions is Medicine Bow Lodge and Guest Ranch, located 22 miles from Saratoga. Medicine Bow sits at approximately 8,500 feet in the Snowy Range of the Rocky Mountains in Medicine Bow National Forest. A newly refurbished lodge features vintage log walls, a stone fireplace and seating for as many as 30, with spaces for games and entertainment. Cabins are also available.

Medicine Bow also has events planned every night. Sunday night is game night, Tuesday dance night, Wednesday a cookout, Thursday entertainment night, Friday a rodeo and Saturday night a sunset ride. Activities for children include building with clay and access to a kiln that allows them to take their projects home. Saratoga, a 25-minute drive from the lodge, provides golf, fly fishing, museums, spas and shopping in a quaint town. (800409-5439, medbowlodge.com) Another ranch known for its children’s program is Red Rock Ranch.

Located just outside Jackson Hole, the Red Rock provides an ideal atmosphere

The jagged peaks of the Teton Range enthrall guests at Lost Creek Ranch.

The wide range of activities at Medicine Bow Lodge means no one will be left out. As owner Debbie Bishop explains, “One of the wonderful amenities at our ranch is that we can cater to what our families desire during their stay with us. A typical day for family reunions would start off with a breakfast buffet in the dining room. Then they would have the choice of horseback riding, hiking, fishing, relaxing in a hammock or sitting with loved ones as they reminisce about the growing-up years.”

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Go online and see the article on the group-friendly attractions of Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming. Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=23107.

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for families. Available for groups of 28-30, the entire ranch can be booked to provide a reunion with its own private paradise. Schedules are customized for each group, with such activities as hiking, fishing, swimming and horseback riding. Guided hiking programs spotlight the scenic landscape with views of the Teton Mountain range. A conference center is available for gatherings and events. Red Rock boasts a 70% return guest ratio, with 90% of its guests being families. (307-733-6288, theredrockranch.com) The Hideout Lodge and Resort sits on 300,000 acres of land near Shell.

While not offering traditional kids’ programs, the Hideout has other special-

ties and takes pride in its lodging and culinary excellence. The Hideout offers a vast array of livestock and diversity of terrain, as it is one of the biggest and oldest ranches in the area. Open year round, the Hideout offers winter activities such as riding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Summer diversions include trap shooting, 4x4 riding, fly fishing and a local dinosaur dig site.

(800-354-8637, thehideout.com) If booking a large group, try Bill Cody Ranch in northwestern Wyoming.

Located 30 minutes west of Cody and 30 minutes east of Yellowstone, the ranch includes 16 cabins, a family chalet, executive log homes and a main lodge capable of handling groups of 60-70 people. Open mid-May through September, Bill Cody Ranch has 85 horses that are available for two-hour, four-hour or all-day rides. All cabins have TVs and are decorated with modern, Western furnishings. (800-6152934, billcodyranch.com) Another ranch that caters to large groups is Lost Creek Ranch Lodge and Spa. It is located between Grand Teton National Park and BridgerTeton National Forest near Jackson Hole. The ranch is capable of accommodating groups up to 55. Horseback riding, trips to Grand Teton National Park, a spa, weight room, and yoga and pilates classes are available. (307-7333435, lostcreek.com) The range of activities at Wyoming dude ranches will suit every interest at a family reunion. From horseback riding to hiking, dude ranches provide memories that will last a lifetime.

Waking up every morning to the sun rising behind the mountains, groups will remember their Wyoming vacation forever. LGT Obtain Wyoming visitor guides and itineraries – and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info LeisureGroupTravel.com