Holidays on Horseback

Holidays on Horseback: RVing & Ranch Rejuvenation

Are you tired of predictable beach vacations and crowded tourist hotspots? It's time to rediscover nature with a unique holiday experience upon four hooves. Ranch vacations offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a beginner, there's something for everyone at these six Canadian ranches handpicked for ultimate enjoyment.

Rediscover Nature with Ranch Vacations

Escape the city noise and discover the solace nature is eager to gift you. Harness the excitement horseback riding through scenic landscapes ignites within and take time to breathe in tranquil ranch life. Disconnect from technology and connect with the outdoors with activities like hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.



Therapeutic Benefits on Horseback 

Horseback riding offers therapeutic benefits, relieves stress, and boosts our overall well-being. It allows for deep connection and a bond with a sentient being like none other while experiencing the joys of nature. Horseback riding instills a sense of mastery, helps one develop trust and offers individuals a unique sense of freedom while enjoying an adventurous form of physical activity: in short, horses are medicine for our mental health. 

Trail Days, Overnights & Ranch Stays

Holidays on horseback vary greatly; there are many ways to enjoy our equine friends in nature!  Many locations offer trail rides by the hour while some offer retreats and overnight horse pack trips where Guests often ride on majestic trails to lakes and through rivers to forest base camps to spend an evening or evenings in cabins or tents with campfire cooked meals, like travellers of days gone by! Other ranches offer authentic working-cattle guest ranch experiences where Guests reside in cabins and are invited to participate in daily operations with their assigned horse, ensuring the ranch is running smoothly alongside trained wranglers and ranch hands! 



Six Unique Ranch Adventures

Ranches offer diverse outdoor adventures featuring unique overnight experiences, partnering perfectly with RV vacations. From Alberta to Yukon to Saskatchewan, we have six fabulous locations to choose from – or visit them all!

Kananaskis, Alberta: 
Boundary Ranch & Cowley's Rafter Six Ranch

Nestled on the eastern edges of Alberta's mountain range and a short distance from Canmore and Banff, are two spectacular ranches, Boundary Ranch and Cowley's Rafter Six Ranch. Located 30 km apart, these ranches offer uniquely different and equally remarkable experiences. 

If you are searching for trail riding specialists, look no further than Cowley's Rafter Six Ranch. Operating for close to 50 years, this world-famous ranch offers private rides and personalized services, perfect for special events and marriage proposals! Guests can choose from a variety of horseback trail rides catering to beginner, intermediate and advanced rider skill levels! Partake in a hearty 'Saddlebag Supper' trail ride, learn new skills at a personalized riding lesson or enjoy the views while on a hay wagon ride.

Any chance you have been inspired by the television show featuring feisty cowboys and cowgirls on 'Yellowstone'? Consider enrolling in Cowboy College to learn the tricks of the trade - see how well you would fare on the real ranges! After blissful day trips on horseback, mosey over to your RV at Rafter Six's rustic RV campsites for well-deserved rest.

Looking for adventure guaranteed to bring endless smiles? Head to beautiful Boundary Ranch offering experiences with hoof, woof, and water, to name a few! Guests can enjoy an adventurous canoe ride, a marvelous morning trail ride, and white-water rafting on a guided tour! Interested in an Adventure dog carting tour? Handsome huskies are eager to show you the sites - on wheels! These beautiful four-legged boys and girls provide touring services year-round, offering unforgettable dog sledding tours in fluffy snow trails! Perhaps a Christmas or winter sleigh ride with cups of hot cocoa interests you and your crew? Take in all the area has to offer; a world-class golf course is less than a kilometre down the road! Experience it all here!



Pemberton, BC: 
Copper Cayuse Outfitters

Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking to explore the stunning Sea-to-Sky Corridor located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lil´wat Nation or a beginner looking to learn more about horse riding, Copper Cayuse Outfitters has something for you. Copper Cayuse is a modern eco-outfitter offering everything from trail rides to multi-day expeditions taking you take you on journeys in B.C.'s rugged beauty.

Interested in a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list overnight riding tour? Embark on a multi-day adventure exploring rivers, lakes, forests, alpine meadows, and old mine packhorse trails as sure-footed horses carry you to the base camp where guides await at basecamp with a sumptuous campfire cookout! This majestic environment offers Women's Wellness retreats and hosts special ceremonies, providing truly rejuvenating experiences. 

A short drive away is breathtaking Nairn Falls Provincial Park, where sweet dreams will be enjoyed by all after spectacular days.

Whitehorse, Yukon:
Sky High Wilderness Ranch

Adventurer's paradise awaits on the shore of Łu Zil Män (Fish Lake), a thirty-minute drive from Whitehorse, YK at Sky High Wilderness Ranch.  Here, you can enjoy trail rides and unique experiences with huskies! For those seeking deep peace, consider seeking solace in an off-grid cabin and fill your day with horse-riding, hiking in the mountains and around the lake, or join in for a dog training session. If you love nature and animals, you will find your way!

Pioneer RV Park is a 30 km jaunt away and a terrific place to visit loved ones under the midnight sun! 



Kyle, SK:
La Reata Ranch

Plan an unforgettable getaway with friends while you experience the cowboy way of life at La Reata Ranch, under the endless sky in the heart of the Canadian Prairies. Participating alongside ranch hands and wranglers, Guests will work with their assigned horse like a cowboy, looking after a herd of up to 250 cattle and will witness the birth of calves on this working cattle ranch. Enjoy hearty and wholesome family-style meals in the cookhouse with fellow cowboy crew and ranch Guests while taking in the plain's expansive vistas.

Enjoy afternoons cooling down on Lake Diefenbaker with swimming, canoeing, water-skiing, and fishing as the ranch enjoys direct access so don't forget your bathing suit! Cowboys often challenge each other at horseshoes and dummy steer roping in the evenings while listening to country music under the star-sparkled skies. Cap the night off with a visit to the La Reata Saloon, where there is a pool table, foosball and dartboard to entertain. Unless you take up being a 'cowboy' as a new career, you aren't going to find a more authentic working-ranch experience than this! 



Cline River, Alberta:
McKenzie's Trail West

With over 50 years' experience guiding overnight horse trips and trail rides into the spectacular Canadian Rockies, McKenzie's Trail West near Nordegg, AB has you covered for all things 'Wilderness Horseback Adventure'! Select a suitable hourly trail ride with lunch and steak dinner options available or reserve your spot at the Pack Horse School or the Rustic Rocky Mountain Women's Retreat with a few friends! 

Interested in treating yourself to the ultimate wilderness adventure? Plan a pack trip and let experienced guides take you on an unforgettable journey into unfettered forest. Wake up in the crisp mountain air to the smell of fresh coffee, pancakes, and smoky bacon! Trail cooks will satiate heaerty appetites with meals prepared on wood stoves packed in and out on horseback. Evenings bring new friends together, in the glow of embers, recounting days abord four legs sharing “tall tales” after BBQ dinners. Friendships will flourish, many of which may last for years!

Relax at and explore Upper Shunda Creek Campground, adjacent to McKenzie's Trail West and less than an hour away from Columbia Icefields Adventure!

Cowboy Stories: Unveiling the Ranch Lifestyle

Immerse yourself in captivating cowboy stories as guides share their adventures at the ranch or outfitters. Listen to tales of cattle drives, roundups, and the challenges of working with horses, livestock, or teams of sled dogs. Experience the thrill of riding alongside cowboys as they go about their daily tasks. Discover the skills and traditions that keep ranching heritage alive.



Preparing for Holidays on Horseback

When preparing for your horseback riding holiday, make sure to pack comfortable riding clothes which will allow you to mount your horse free of restriction. Ensure you pack sturdy shoes or boots and a riding helmet you have tried on and deemed to fit you comfortably and appropriately. Many locations provide helmets but, for safety and sanitary purposes, consider purchasing your own. Don't forget essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, reusable water bottle and a hat to protect yourself from the elements. Bring layers, such as long sleeve shirts and rain jackets for varying weather conditions. 

Can Ranch Vacations Transform Perspectives?

Holidays on horseback promise a transformative experience and guarantee to alter perspectives on what a 'relaxing' holiday can offer; outdoor physical activity, bonding with animals, and trying new activities all boost our mood and increase mental wellness. Trade the hustle and bustle for the tranquility of wide-open spaces, find inner peace through horseback riding, and forge lifelong friendships! Embrace a simpler, more fulfilling way of vacationing on a ranch … you won’t regret it. 



Conclusion

An experience like no-other, embarking on an adventure-filled horseback riding journey to explore the countryside in an RV provides therapeutic benefits and a chance to disconnect from the fast-paced world. From majestic environments to family-friendly ranches and romantic getaways, there are options to suit every traveler's preference. 

By immersing yourself in the ranch lifestyle, riding the trails and embracing the tranquility of nature, these vacations have the power to transform your perspective on holidays and leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Reserve your CanaDream RV and start planning your ranch rejuvenation vacation!