History and Traditions of American Dude Ranches

In the late 1800s adventurous East Coast city dwellers like Teddy Roosevelt discovered that ranch visits in the West made great vacations. Roosevelt wanted a taste of cowboy life and of hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. His accounts of ranch life helped spark interest in the American West. The urbanites, or “dudes” as the ranchers called them, came in droves and ranchers started hosting them and charging for their stays. Dude ranches today provide a tangible link to the real and imagined past of the American West. They pride themselves on the authentic experience they give city guests. Dude ranches have served and still serve as country homes where guests feel like family among staff and ranch hands. Discover the histories, traditions, and storied hospitality that made the dude ranch part of the mythology of the American West.