Ranching holidays in the USA are the ideal way to really bond with your family and enjoy some fantastic adventures. Whether you are planning a long trip around the country or only have a week or two to explore, you will find plenty to do in the Old West.
One of the best places to visit if you are looking for an authentic ranch experience is Wyoming. The state is well-known for its ties to this period in the country’s history and you will probably feel like you have stepped right into an old Western movie when you visit some of its sights.
Cody, a classic Western town, is one such example and its most famous association is with Buffalo Bill – there’s even a museum dedicated to the cowboy in the settlement.
The Plains Indian Museum may be another attraction you want to take in if you visit the area, while if you are in Cody during the summer months, it is worth staying for the Cody Nite Rodeo.
Held every evening, this event gives cowboys the chance to prove their skills at managing a bucking bull, which is bound to be a spectacle you do not forget in a hurry!
Before you rush out to explore the cowboy country, however, it is a good idea to spend a few days on a ranch and soak up the atmosphere. Start your USA holidays by getting settled into your accommodation and then enjoy your first taste of the west with a horse ride.
If you are accomplished in the saddle, you will be able to head out into the bush on one of the trails, while those with less experience can look forward to a full introduction to horsemanship by a knowledgeable guide.
As well as exploring the paths by horseback, there are other activities typically associated with this part of Wyoming, such as fly fishing.
The River Shoshone is a great spot to cast off, as it is brimming with a range of fish, including rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. If you have never had a go with a rod and reel before don’t worry, as your guide should be able to teach you a few tricks!
A highlight of any American ranch holidays is bound to be a camping trip in the wilderness. This will give you the opportunity to really appreciate how cowboys must have lived all those years ago.
Your guide will lead you to a suitable spot where you can set up for the evening, light a campfire and enjoy the stars overhead as part of a truly magical experience.
If this has got you in the mood for discovering a bit more of the region’s wildlife, make sure you stop off at Yellowstone National Park before concluding your family adventures.
The reserve covers over 2 million acres and spreads into three states – Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
There is a lot to explore within its borders, so you are best leaving a few days to make sure you can appreciate all it has to offer.
One of the main attractions is the geysers, of which there are more than 300. Old Faithful is one of the most famous, but you are bound to be amazed by the sight of these giant thermal vents discharging into the air.
If you and your little ones love seeing local wildlife on your travels, you have come to the right place. Yellowstone is home to a diverse range of creatures from wolves and grizzly bears to bison and elk.
To learn more about some of the flora and fauna in the national park, you can pay a visit to the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center, which houses a museum and looks after many artefacts collected within the park. There is also a research laboratory situated in the complex, although this is not accessible to the public.
One final natural feature you should be sure to see before you leave Yellowstone and begin your journey home is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. While it is not as large as its counterpart in Arizona, it is still an impressive sight.
The Yellowstone River flows through the canyon, which runs for 20 miles, with both the Upper and Lower Falls worth viewing if you are at this end of the geological structure.
