Wide Open Dreams: Three Ranches to Escape to
Wicky Wicky Wild Wild West
With the Yellowstone series booming everywhere, it seems like everyone around me suddenly wants to live the Ranch Life.
I haven’t watched it yet, but I know I'll eventually give in to that whole atmosphere of horses, gunfights, and jaw-dropping landscapes.
But I didn’t wait for Kevin Costner and his Stetson to feel that deep pull toward wide open spaces.
A few years ago, I discovered a Dude Ranch — those traditional ranches that opened their doors to city folks craving a taste of the wild — at the foot of the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado: Zapata Ranch.
Horses, bison, passionate biologists, and a lunar-like landscape.
I followed them religiously on Instagram, hoping to organize a trip there one day.
Until I found out they had closed their doors to the public. 💔
Still, I haven't given up on the idea.
They gave me the name of another, equally confidential ranch.
And along the way, I found two other addresses (both kid-friendly) offering that same simple, animal-connected, deeply rooted way of life.
Paintrock Canyon Ranch — Authentic Glamping
✈️ Sheridan, Wyoming
🦬 Ranch life, fly fishing, wildlife observation (bison, elk, eagles), river swims, and nights under safari tents.
"The raw beauty of the place and the attention to every detail make the experience profoundly rejuvenating."
This is probably the place that comes closest to what Zapata Ranch offered.
In fact, it's run by the same team, Ranchlands.
There’s no staged Western show here — just real immersion: cattle work, wildlife observation, horseback rides, campfire evenings.
You stay in beautiful safari tents set up by the river.
Each tent has a cozy bed, an ensuite bathroom, and everything you need to fully embrace the calm, even in the middle of nowhere.
It’s probably not suited for young kids, but it’s the kind of elegant, precious escape I dream of sharing with my partner or my sister.
Lone Mountain Ranch — Bison Excursions in Yellowstone
✈️ Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
🛏 Comfortable all-inclusive stays, local cuisine, Yellowstone safaris (bison, wolves), fly fishing, archery, hiking, and cross-country skiing in winter.
"A magical place where you finally breathe again, and everything around you seems to slow down."
What makes this ranch truly unique is its proximity to Yellowstone.
This century-old ranch offers guided excursions into the park to spot bison, elk, and even wolves.
You stay in charming private cabins, perfect for families (cribs available).
There’s a wide range of activities both in summer and winter.
The welcome is simple, generous, and sincere — ideal for those seeking fresh air and simplicity without giving up on comfort.
Red Rock Ranch — Like Staying with Friends
✈️ Jackson Hole Airport
🎣 Fly fishing, horseback riding, campfire evenings, kids program, and a warm, family-style atmosphere.
"You arrive as a guest and leave feeling like part of the family."
With just ten cabins and a small, close-knit community vibe, Red Rock Ranch is designed with families in mind.
Children can learn horseback riding while adults explore the mountains.
Days are filled with fishing, cooking, and sharing meals in a cozy lodge open to the outdoors.
Everything here feels intimate and unhurried.
The wooden architecture, the golden evening light, the quiet rhythm of nature — it all invites you to slow down.
You truly feel welcomed like an old friend.
Three ranches.
Three invitations to lose yourself a little, only to find yourself again —
On horseback, by a river, or simply facing the vastness.