Dude Ranch vs Guest Ranch? What’s the difference?

All dude ranches are guest ranches… but not all guest ranches are dude ranches. The difference comes down to what’s included in the base rate.

Most dude ranch vacations bundle three key elements right into the price:

• Three prepared meals a day (breakfast, lunch, supper—and often cookouts under the stars)
• Activities such as horseback ridin’, fly fishin’, and hikin’
• Lodging with that rustic western charm

Guest ranch vacations, on the other hand, can wander outside the traditional “dude ranch” definition. Some private ranch rentals leave meals and activities up to the guests, with owners offering third-party outfitters for an added fee. Others lean toward hunting ranches, where the focus is on elk, deer, or other game—again with outfitters brought in to guide the experience.

That said, the terms guest ranch and dude ranch are often used interchangeably when folks talk about western vacations. So if you’re doin’ a little research, be sure to ask:

• Are meals included?
• Are activities an extra charge?
• Are there additional fees tied to lodging?

Sort those details out, and you’ll be sittin’ tall in the saddle for a smooth vacation plan.

May your trail be smooth and your campfire burn bright!