Give your child a working ranch experience at Rankin Ranch in California. This ranch's wonderful supervised children’s program has been featured in Sunset Magazine and Better Homes & Gardens Vacation Guide. Children and their parents stay at the Quarter Circle U Rankin Ranch, located deep in the Tehachapi Mountains of California. It has been a working cattle ranch since the days of the Civil War, and the Rankin family still raises White Face Hereford cattle just as their ancestors did 150 years ago.

Parents and grandparents especially appreciate this ranch's special attention to kids learning to ride. The counselors are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and join the children again in the evening with planned activities for ages 4-11. Kid campers enjoy arts and crafts, hikes, and visits to the animal farm, where they can help bottle feed the baby animals, throw hay to the lambs and goats and hold the chickens. The pigs are always a hit as they “recycle” the left over fruits and vegetables from the kitchen. 

Other ranch activities include hiking, fishing (trout stocked pond), swimming (heated pool May to September) and planned evening activities. Guests enjoy the large recreation room with a pool table, foosball and games; other outdoor activities include shuffleboard, ping pong and lawn games.

Adventure West…Kidstuff says, “A full operation cattle ranch, Rankin offers a fun filled, down home kind of vacation, complete with tradition, history and diversions for both young and old.”

Guests travel from across the United States and around the world to visit this California guest ranch. They enjoy the fact that it is a “real” working ranch, and are fascinated with its century old history. Many guests emphasize the importance of the “family” atmosphere; meeting and visiting with Rankin family members is routine as they all live on the ranch...4th, 5th, and 6th generations. “Western hospitality” is part of the package!

The favorite activity at the ranch has always been the horseback riding. Rankin Ranch has both adult and children rides (riding starts at age six) which explore the meadows, Walker’s Basin Creek, and mountain ridges overlooking the beautiful little valley of Walker Basin. The wrangler will pick the perfect horse for you, and guide you through beautiful trails across the ranch.

Horse Camp Activities

Rankin Ranch has children rides for kids ages six and up. The trail rides are approximately one hour long. Parents and kids that would like some extra one on one time with these four legged friends can rise and shine with the wranglers and help them groom the horses to get ready for the day.

Days are filled with arts and crafts, nature hikes, scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, talent shows, swim meets, and much, much more. Weekly boat races are a ranch favorite…children love building creative toy boats to be raced at the creek or spillway the following day.

Sample Children's Program Itinerary

Arrival Day
3:30 Check Into Your Room
5:30 Adult Patio Party/Children’s Activities in the lounge
6:30 Dinner in the Garden Room
After dinner the children go to feed the animals (adults are welcome to join)
8:00 Evening Activity

Full Ranch Days
7:30-9:00 Breakfast is served
Morning Ride as Posted
9:30-12:30 Children’s Activities throughout the morning
12:30 Lunch on the terrace
Afternoon Rides as Posted
1:30-3:30 Children’s Activities throughout the afternoon
5:30 Adult Patio Party/Children’s Activities in the lounge
6:30 Dinner in the Garden Room. Children usually sit together with the counselors for dinner, but if you prefer, Rankin Ranch can arrange family seating.
After dinner the children go to feed the animals (Adults are welcome to join in.)
8:00 Evening Activity

Departure Day
7:30-9:00 Breakfast is served
Morning Ride as Posted
9:30-12:30 Children’s Activities throughout the morning
12:30 Lunch on the terrace
1:00 Departure
 

Kids Program 1 – The children make boats and race them in the spill way at Walker Basin Creek.
Kids Program 2 – Your children are the stars of our weekly Talent Show with skits depicting the history of Rankin Ranch.
Fishing 2 – You might just catch the “big one” at Lake Julia.
Horseback 2 – Daily trail rides will take you through the mountain and meadow cattle country.
BBQ 1 - Make sure you include Wednesday dinner or Sunday lunch in your ranch stay as you will love the haywagon ride and BBQ.

150 years of California history is alive and well at this famous cattle and guest ranch with a wonderful children's program...fun for all ages! Adults will enjoy this family ranch vacation and ranch camp experience for kids.

Location

2 ½ hours North of Los Angeles

Age Group

All Ages

Gender

Male/Female

Capacity

30-50 guests

Riding Style & Ability

Western All Levels

Season/ Sessions

April through September – minimum stay one night

Rates

$150-$275 per person per night – All Inclusive Rates
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