Out & About

There’s something special about dude ranch vacations. My first dude ranch experience was in the summer of 1989, and to this day it still goes down as my family’s all-time favorite vacation. We made so many great memories and met so many people who remained good friends for many years after.

I was at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch for just 48 hours, but once again, I left with memories I’ll keep forever—and a handful of e-mail addresses and phone numbers from the new friends I made.

Brush Creek Ranch dates back to 1884. It was in that year that the Sterrett brothers settled the land—not far from the town of Saratoga, Wyoming—and built a homestead from logs cut and hauled from the adjoining Medicine Bow National Forest.

A few years ago, the property was purchased by Bruce White, who thought the 13,000-acre parcel would make a fine retreat for his family and friends. But hospitality runs in White’s veins (he’s the chairman and CEO of White Lodging, which operates hotels across the country), and it wasn’t long before he decided to turn the property into a luxury guest ranch.

During my visit, I did my best to sample a bit of everything the ranch has to offer. This was easy given that stays are all-inclusive, which means that every meal, every cocktail in the saloon, every activity from fishing to shooting, and every gratuity, is included. It seems like such a simple thing, but there’s something cool about ordering a glass of wine and just walking out of the saloon when you’re done.

Our stay began with a creekside cookout just steps from the banks of Brush Creek. After we’d eaten our fill from the BBQ buffet, we gathered around the campfire and feasted on s’mores (made by Finch, a very helpful young guest from Florida) while listening to live music.

Then it was back to our cabin for bed. Lodging options at the ranch range from two- and three-bedroom log cabin residences to cabin rooms and suites (situated in painstakingly restored historic cabins) to rooms in the Trailhead Lodge. My friend Susie and I stayed in Joe’s Cowgirl Cabin, a residence that includes a full kitchen (which you can arrange to have fully stocked before your arrival)…

spacious dining room and living room with stone fireplace…

bunk room with two single bunks and a double bed (I’m thinking of re-creating that bed in my guest room. It was so cozy!)…

and master suite complete with its own fireplace-warmed living area and sun porch.

Outside are three patios—one with an outdoor fireplace—that offer the perfect spots for an early morning cup of coffee or late-night stargazing. As you can imagine, it’s pretty dark out there at night, so the stars are spectacular!

In the morning we rose early, in time for an 8 a.m. breakfast at the Chuck Wagon, a massive three-season log structure complete with a full kitchen, barbecue and open fire pit.

Then it was off for a morning of shooting at the Brush Creek Bow & Gun Club, which offers a 10-station sporting clays course, skeet course and competition archery. We did some target shooting with a .22 long rifle…

tried out the multi-station skeet course…

then moved on to a selection of pistols, from a .38 to a 9 mm.

Mind you, I’d never so much as held a gun before, so I was nervous, but our guides Ron and Jim were so great, I was hitting the targets in no time. In fact, if I were returning for a week-long stay, I’d go shooting every day.

After lunch, it was time for our second activity of the day: horseback riding. We saddled up and set off to explore some of the ranch’s 50 miles of trails on our mounts, Bart and Marvin.

After all that fresh air and sunshine, it was time for a rest. The decks that wrap the Trailhead Lodge offer plenty of shady spots to kick back and relax.

Soon it was time for a more formal sit-down dinner, served family style in the beautiful Trailhead Lodge: lamb chops with Brussels sprouts, duck breast with sauteed greens, fluffy mashed potatoes and hot, fresh bread—and a slice of berry cheesecake for dessert.

On our last morning, we decided to try one of the ranch’s more relaxing activities: massages at the Trailhead Spa. The facility may be small, but it offers big-time relaxation. My friend and I agreed that our massages were some of the best we’ve had. (Note: spa services do cost extra.)

Then it was time to cross back over the Snowy Range and head home to Denver. Next time we’ll allow more time to stop and explore at the top of the pass, which is truly one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen—lush carpets of wildflowers, glittering alpine lakes and green, green everywhere, all against a backdrop of bare rock faces, some still covered with snow.

Now for the details:

Lodge Rooms start at $720 to $1,200 per night

Cabin Rooms & Suites start at $720 to $2,500 per night

Log Cabin Residences start at $1,680 to $6,000 per night

(Prices are per unit and based on full occupancy.)

To learn more about The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, visit www.brushcreekranch.com or call 307.327.5284.