Guest ranch facts for kids
A guest ranch, also known as a dude ranch, is a special type of ranch. It is set up for visitors and tourism. Think of it as a fun way to experience farm life, which is sometimes called agritourism.
A Look Back: How Guest Ranches Started
Guest ranches became popular because people started to love the idea of the American West. This feeling grew in the late 1800s.
In 1893, a historian named Frederick Jackson Turner said that the American frontier was "closed." This meant there were no more new lands to explore and settle. People then felt a bit sad for the old days, a feeling called nostalgia. But because the dangers of the frontier were gone, they could enjoy this feeling safely.
So, people from the East, who were sometimes called "dudes" in the West, could visit. They could enjoy Western life for a short time. They didn't have to risk their lives like real pioneers.
Famous people like Theodore Roosevelt had exciting Western adventures. Soon, paying guests from Eastern cities could have similar experiences. In the early days, the transcontinental railroad brought visitors. A wagon or buggy would then take them to the ranch.
Some guests wanted a fancy, easier version of "cowboy life." Others didn't mind the smells and schedules of a real working ranch. Guest ranches existed before the 1900s. But they grew a lot after World War I.
After the war, people had more money. The automobile was invented. And Western movies became popular. All these things made people more interested in the West. In 1926, the Dude Ranchers Association was started in Cody, Wyoming. This group helped the growing guest ranch industry.
Today, guest ranches are a long-standing tradition in the US. They are still popular vacation spots. Some ranches are open only in summer or winter. Others welcome guests all year.
Fun Activities at Guest Ranches
Guest ranches offer many exciting activities. Here are some popular ones:
- Horseback riding
- Target shooting
- Cattle sorting (like herding cows)
- Hayrides
- Campfire sing-alongs
- Hiking
- Camping
- Whitewater rafting
- Zip-lining
- Archery
- Fishing
Many college students work at guest ranches during the summer. Common jobs include housekeeping, being a wrangler (someone who works with horses), dining staff, or office staff. Some working ranches also take in paying guests. This helps them during tough financial times.
Hunting Ranches
Some guest ranches are made for hunters. These ranches might have native animals like whitetail deer, mule deer, bison, or elk. Other ranches bring in animals from places like Africa and India. These are called "exotic" species.
Hunting ranches can be a debated topic. Many traditional ranches let hunters use their land for native game. But some people think it's not fair to hunt animals kept in a small area.
Bringing non-native animals to ranches also raises concerns. Some worry these "exotics" might escape. They could mix with native species or spread diseases. However, supporters of hunting ranches say they help protect native herds from too much hunting. They also argue that raising exotic species on ranches can help save them from disappearing.
