Best Cattle Drive Vacations for Spring, Summer & Fall 2014
Mark your calendars for the best cattle drive vacations this spring, summer and fall at real working ranches in Wyoming, Kansas and Montana.
Working cattle ranches across the USA welcome travelers to participate in round-ups and cattle drives. Cattle drives are necessary to move cattle between winter and summer pastures, guiding cows to more nutrient rich grass and warmer conditions. Cattle also may need to be rounded-up for branding, vaccinations, castrating or to take them to market. Guests who want to participate in a real cattle drive have some good options at the below authentic working ranches.
These cattle drives are some of the best for 2014, offering riders the chance to learn new skills with long days in the saddle in America's wide-open spaces.
Doublerafter Cattle Drives, Wyoming- July to October Cattle Drives
Join real 40-50 mile week long cattle drive! Trips are 5-7 days in length, starting with a horsemanship clinic, before cowboying up to really ride the range. You'll trail the herd to the top of the Big Horn Mountains in the summer, the mother cows and their calves can graze high to their summer range. During September, guests gather cattle from the high country of the Big Horn Mountains and move the herd back to the ranch. Everything you do on these working ranch vacations serves a purpose.
Book this ranch trip! info@equitrekking.com?subject=Equitrekking%20-%20Doublerafter%20Cattle%20Drives">Email Dana or call 800-704-9268 Or 307-655-9539. Visit Doublerafter's website.
.jpg)
Guests cite the food as great on these cattle drives. Meals are prepared using cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens or at a pit barbeque.
Bar W Guest Ranch, Montana- Spring & Fall Cattle Drives
Cattle Drive Dates: May 31-June 7, 2014 & September 13-20, 2014
Cattle Drive Cost (Double Occupancy): $2,730
*Prices vary depending on room & occupancy.
The Bar W is a year round guest ranch located on Spencer Lake in Whitefish, Montana. Guests can get a true western experience- horseback riding, working cattle, square dancing, wagon rides, hiking, mountain biking, and telling stories at the campfire.
.jpg)
The Bar W Cattle Drive is a special week to turn city slickers into cowboys. We’ll head out for four days to our base camp located in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. You’ll ride as far as the eye can see over thousands of acres of Native American Territory. You’ll gather cattle driving them over the open prairie to the corrals to brand calves and care for the herd. You’ll feel like a real cowhand riding out long horns, cows, bulls. It’s all about horses, cattle, great country, and you! Join us for a beautiful riding vacation at our Great Ranch and prepare for lasting memories.
Book this trip! Call 866-828-2900 or 406-863-9099. info@equitrekking.com?subject=Equitrekking%20Travel%20Deals-%20Bar%20W%20Cowgirl%20Up">Email Bar W or learn more on Bar W's website.
Driving cattle during the spring at Bar W Guest Ranch in Montana.
Moore Ranch, Kansas- Longhorn Cattle Drives Spring, Summer & Fall, 2014
Experience life on a working ranch for these cattle drives. Moore Ranch is just 45 miles from historic Dodge City, Kansas. In this part of Kansas, longhorns were historically driven up the Western Trail to Dodge City, one of the best known cattle towns of that era. Moore Ranch welcomes one to five people at a time for a personalized ranch experience.
Spring Cattle Drive–– April 9-11, 2014. This spring Moore Ranch will be driving cattle back from winter pasture, about 35 miles. They will take a chuckwagon along and sleep under the stars or in cowboy teepees. Vacation Cost: $825
Short Cattle Drives-- July 3-4, 2014 and August 31-September 1, 2014. This is a shorter drive for those who are a little concerned about sitting in the saddle for a long period of time. Drive the longhorns to the east pasture about 11 miles from the ranch. Camp out that night under the stars or in cowboy teepees. The next day, ride back to the ranch. Vacation Cost: $525
Fall Cattle Drive–– October 8-10, 2014. Drive the longhorn cows about 35 miles from the ranch to winter pasture. A chuckwagon will accompany the ride and you'll sleep under the stars or in cowboy teepees. Vacation Cost: $825
Learn more: info@equitrekking.com?subject=Equitrekking%20Travel%20Deals-%20Moore%20Ranch">Email Nancy or call 620-826-3649. Learn more on Moore Ranch's website. Mention Equitrekking to receive the discount.
Cattle Drives are exciting events at Moore Ranch.
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch - Wyoming Cattle Drives
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch needs help throughout the year tending to their over 1200 head of Black Angus, their calves, and the hundreds of yearlings. Located on a real 100-year old operational ranch, guests help out with different tasks according to the seasons.
In the spring, there are big gatherings, brandings and riding the wide open valley prairies at elevations between 4,200 and 4,800 feet. In the summer after the snow melts, climb higher to find cattle amid pine forests, creeks, alpine meadows and mountain lakes. In late October and early November, the ranch begins to round-up cattle at the higher elevations to move them lower. There is cattle work year-round at the ranch with the majority from March through November, so check with the ranch to find out what's going on for the week in which you have an interest. Guests can try gathering, branding, fencing, sorting, searching for cattle and moving cattle and learn about rotational grazing to protect the environment.
Learn more: info@equitrekking.com?subject=Equitrekking-%20The%20Hideout%20cattle%20drives">Email The Hideout or call 800-354-8637 or 307-765-2080. Learn more on The Hideout's website.
Gathering cattle at The Hideout, one of the bigger and older ranches in the area.
Read about what to expect on your working ranch vacation. Learn more about authentic working ranches and cattle drives in Equitrekking’s Vacation Guide, an online guide featuring great dude ranches, guest ranches, working ranches and cattle drives.
