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2014 Horse Vacations

Dreaming of getting away from everything BUT horses? Here are some of the best places to consider

From Horsetrader sales staff - March 20th, 2014 - Cover Story, Special Section

7 Lazy P
(406) 466-2245
Choteau, MT
www.7lazyp.com

Welcome to the 7 Lazy P! The Crary family invites you experience the Crown Jewel of Americas Wilderness System, the Bob Marshall. 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and the 7 Lazy P has been providing extraordinary backcountry adventures since 1931. You can camp beneath stunning cliffs and alpine lakes, alongside gin-clear streams and mountain meadows.

Our itineraries include the iconic destinations of the Bob Marshall, such as the Chinese Wall, the North Wall, the Trilobite Range, and the North Fork of the Sun River and Middle Fork of the Flathead. Experience a sensory kaleidoscope of wildflowers and wildlife. Cast a fly for a native Cutthroat, scramble to the summit of a peak, or just relax as you watch the horse herd graze peacefully in a meadow.

You’ll ride a seasoned mountain horse while the camp and your gear is packed on our wonderful mules. You will be accompanied by an experienced and enjoyable crew, and will enjoy fantastic wilderness meals prepared by our backcountry chef. Trips can accommodate up to 10 guests and include lodging and meals at our historic lodge the night before and after your pack trip.

Bar W Guest Ranch
(866) 828-2900
Whitefish, MT
www.BarWGuestRanch.com

The Bar W Guest Ranch is a year-round ranch ready to treat you with true western, Montana hospitality – from the moment you arrive until long after the sun sets. Nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, there are over three thousand beautiful acres available for horseback riding and outdoor activities. Located 30 miles from Glacier National Park, the Bar W Guest Ranch is a great western vacation for all ages! While at the ranch, enjoy trail riding, cow sorting, rodeo events, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, wagon rides, campfires, western dancing, and cowboy singing. ItÕs the complete vacation package! Stop by our ranch for a family oriented summer package or visit for a specialty week including Adult Only, Cowgirl Up, Cattle Drive, and Photography Week. Here at the Bar W, time runs a little slower, things seem a little easier, and every day feels like Saturday.

Dude Ranchers’ Association
(866) 399-2339
Cody, WY
www.duderanch.org

Dude ranches are the original, all-inclusive destination for families. Located in some of the most breathtaking areas of the U.S. (and Canada), dude ranches can handle any request, from horseback riding and fly fishing to yoga and cooking classes to zip lining and hiking. The Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA) can help your family plan the perfect vacation to one of its 95 plus accredited guest ranches.

There is a broad spectrum of guest ranches across North America, ranging from rustic, no-frills working ranches to luxury resort-style ranches. From valleys complete with untouched Rocky Mountain backdrops to desert sunsets across the Southwest, you can find DRA-accredited ranches throughout the Western U.S. What are you waiting for – head out West and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch
(575) 772-5157
Winston, NM
www.GeronimoRanch.com

Experience horseback riding and scenic beauty in the breathtaking, untouched Gila National Forest! Ride through tall ponderosa forests, up on mountaintops, and down into deep canyons with sheer cliffs and crystal clear streams. From atop your well-trained horse, spot abundant wildlife including elk, mule deer, and javelina.

This is the land Geronimo grew up in. Swim in the creek near the headwaters of the Gila River where he was born! Visit 1,000 year old cliff dwellings and pit houses dating back to the Mimbres people! Search for pottery shards and view pictographs still remaining from these ancient people.

Our main focus is on riding and making this a special vacation for you. Other activities that our guests enjoy are hiking, campfires at night with s’mores and fantastic stargazing, swimming in our small pool or the creek, or just reading a good book on one of our bench swings.

Come enjoy the warm hospitality, delicious food and extraordinary peacefulness Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch offers! You will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Goosewing Ranch
(888) 733-5251
Jackson Hole, WY
www.GoosewingRanch.com

Goosewing Ranch combines the lifestyle of ranching in the Wyoming wilderness with many of the modern refinements that will make your visit with us especially enjoyable.

At 7,400 feet, the valley is the host to some of North AmericaÕs most spectacular game: elk, moose, mountain sheep, antelope, bear, eagles, geese, cranes, and much more, not to mention fantastic scenery and mountain views.

Located near Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, Goosewing Ranch offers riding for every level of horseman from novice to advanced, adult to child. There are also many other activities for adults, families and children to enjoy; from swimming and dancing to target shooting and fly fishing.

We invite you to share with us this corner of North America’s wildest country just as it has been for over a hundred years – a working ranch reborn as an isolated retreat deep in the Gros Ventre River Valley.

Lone Mountain Ranch
(406) 995-4644
Big Sky, MT
www.LoneMountainRanch.com

Lone Mountain Ranch is an authentic summer guest ranch located 18 miles from Yellowstone National Park in the mountains of Southwestern Montana. With miles of horseback riding trails from the ranch, some of the best fly-fishing in the world with Orvis endorsed guides, our Outdoor Kids Program (ages 3-17), guided hiking and biking, Yellowstone tours, and whitewater rafting and ziplining just minutes away, you’ll have every opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural world. Incredible ranch cuisine, cozy accommodations in a log cabin or the Ridgetop Lodge, and stunning alpine scenery compliment the plethora of adventures which offer the perfect destination for your summer vacation experience.

Summer Horseback riding includes intermediate and advanced rides in the Gallatin National Forest and nearby Yellowstone National Park, as well as beginner rides on the ranch.

Lone Mountain Ranch offers 4 to 7 night all-inclusive packages for families, couples and singles looking for an unforgettable Yellowstone Horseback Riding experience!

Our Heritage Guest Ranch
(308) 665-2810
Crawford, NE
www.Vacation-Ranch.com

Welcome to Our Heritage Guest Ranch! Nestled in the foothills of the picturesque Pine Ridge of northwest Nebraska, we provide a unique recreational experience. You are invited to accompany us as we carry out our daily ranch tasks, or take advantage of the opportunity to ride your horse or four-wheeler, partake in hiking, biking, fossil hunting, fishing, photography and stargazing. We offer unique packages taking you back in time, such as our Horse Drawn Package, where covered wagons were common and the Lakota Package will give you an experience you will never forget, with a look into the life of Native Americans and knowledge about their history, culture and spiritual beliefs. We are proud to host many different types of events, including Ladies retreats, where focus is on Natural Health and Natural Horsemanship; artist retreats, offering unique scenery to practice skills in painting or drawing; and riding clubs, with 23 box stalls and 12 outdoor corrals available for your horses. There is a two bedroom house to rent with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom, in addition to lofts in the barn, each with a full bathroom, microwave, and refrigerator. There are four trailer parking areas to support electricity and water and several areas to dry camp.

We are within easy driving distance of Fort Robinson State Park, Chadron State Park, Fur Trade Museum, Agate Fossil Beds, Hudson/Meng Bison Bone Bed, Scottsbluff National Monument, and Chimney Rock, in Nebraska. Mount Rushmore and the Black hills of South Dakota are also within driving distance. Our ranch is one of the National Natural Landmarks in the United States. We are surrounded by the Oglala National Grasslands; consequently the scenery is kept pristine and not encumbered by viewing unsightly construction or factories. Its seclusion is one of the attractive elements we have to offer. People enjoy their stay in the quiet atmosphere only disrupted by an occasional train. They get a true feel of how nature is at its best. Our ranch has been handed down through family members since 1887.

Outfitters of the Wyoming Wilderness
(307) 455-2725
Dubois, WY
www.OutfittersWyoming.com

Escape the frenzied chaos and technological overload of modern life. Remember the simple things like the feel of a good horse beneath you, the sun rising over a mountain peak, the rush of water as a stream makes its way to the river, the crackle of a campfire and the brilliant last rays of sunset painting the cliffs and glaciers red.

Outfitters of the Wyoming Wilderness has been creating outdoor adventures for more than 40 years. We are a family owned and operated business based in Dubois, Wyoming. Situated in the historic Wind River Valley between the Absaroka and Wind River mountain ranges, Dubois is the perfect destination to soak in the beauty of these truly wild places. We are 80 miles from Jackson Hole, 55 miles from Grand Teton National Park,Êand 80 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

We offer all inclusive pack trips and scenic or fishing day rides from the comfort of town into the some of the wildest and most beautiful country in the world. We can arrange for accommodations in town, and also for transportation to and from the airport. We also offer discounts for groups of 4 or more, so bring your family and friends to experience a true Wyoming outdoor adventure! Join us and experience the wilderness aboard one of our trusted mountain horses.

Rock Creek Pack Station
(760) 872-8331
Bishop, CA
www.RockCreekPackStation.com

Get ready for a season of packing! Experience all the beauty in the Eastern Sierra that naturally comes with our many rides, excursions and packing schools. Since 1947, Rock Creek Pack Station has been offering wilderness and outdoor vacations in the Eastern Sierra, under the ownership of the London family. Herb London was active in the operation of the pack station until his death in March of 2011. His son, Craig, has spent every summer since his birth in 1954 at the pack station and operated the pack station with his dad. The London family is dedicated to serving the public, taking care of the land, making sure the horses and mules of the operation have happy and meaningful lives, and that the crew has a good time and is fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication.

Consider a mountain packing or camping vacation for this summer! Spend a few days tracking wild Mustangs, or four days on a horse drive, herding over 100 horses and mules more than 80 miles. Or you can spend a week at our packing school, learning backcountry horsemanship and camping skills. We have access to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. We offer scheduled traveling pack trips as long as ten days, or as short as three days. In addition, we provide a full spectrum of custom trips, deluxe ‘full service’ trips, dunnage transport and spot trips. We can give you just a little help, or a full service vacation. Our schedule for the 2014 season is online now, so contact us to book your trip today!

Stagecoach Trails Resort & Horse Camp
(760) 765-3765
Julian, CA
www.StagecoachTrails.com

Located in the wide-open high desert, and adjacent to the Anza Borrego State Park and its many miles of trails, Stagecoach Trails Resort and Horse Camp is a relaxing getaway from your busy life. With plenty of rustic cabins, and well-tended full hookup sites you will be as near or as far from your horses or neighbors as you want to be. You will be amazed at the glory of the night sky and the utter quiet beauty of desert valley sunrises. Stagecoach features plenty of corrals, a riding arena and an equestrian wash rack. A brand new Western-style event center and kitchen is now available for rent, to groups, reunions and more. Amenities include basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoes and a beautiful pool.

Stagecoach Trails is just 20 minutes from historic downtown Julian and 20-30 minutes from restaurants and art galleries at Borrego Springs, fishing at Lake Henshaw, Lake Cuyamaca and only 40 minutes from the action at Pala Casino. Stagecoach Trails is situated perfectly for your relaxing getaway!

UC Davis Extension’s Summer Horse-Packing Adventures
(530) 757-8639
Davis, CA
www.extension.ucdavis.edu/beyond

UC Davis Extension’s summer horse-packing programs teach students from the back of a horse, with the Sierra Nevada mountain range serving as the classroom. The courses combine a superb outdoor adventure with a rare opportunity to learn about wild horses, livestock management and hands-on veterinary medicine. Students spend ‘class time’ immersed in either the rugged High Sierra country or the Inyo National Forest of California, surrounded by blooming wildflowers, mountain meadows and towering vistas.

The four to seven-day courses give students the chance to explore the splendor of these pristine lands – an opportunity most may never experience – and embrace the beauty of the horse. “It was a life-changing experience,” said student Rose Rollo.

This summer UC Davis Extension will be offering two horse-packing classes, each with its own unique adventure – Mustangs: A Living Legacy; and Mountain Horsemanship: Veterinary Care and Horse-Packing in the Wilderness.

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