When A-listers want to get away these days, they don’t fly to the tropics and flop on a beach. They buckle up for a wild ride in America’s cowboy country. Stargazing takes on a whole new meaning at the new breed of super-luxe ranches, where the likes of Kate Bosworth and Gwyneth Paltrow come to kick back and recharge.
Naturally, you’ll immerse yourself in age-old survival skills: wing shooting, fly fishing, cattle herding, orienteering on horseback, and cooking over an open fire. An amazing bonding experience for families or groups of friends, ranch stays offer a deep dive into the traditional way of life and respect for nature of the Native Americans who first inhabited these awe-inspiring landscapes.
But there are more glamorous indoor and outdoor pursuits on offer at the new crop of ranches, too. A purifying Mountain Air facial in a tepee, archery lessons, and glamping in a luxury yurt with amazing views of the mountain ranges.The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana combines Western adventure with lavish all-inclusive amenities. This working ranch is all about authenticity: there are horses for riders of all abilities, stagecoach rides, barn dances, and there’s even a weekly rodeo during the summer.
The bar stools at the Silver Dollar Saloon are topped with saddles. You’ll sleep in log cabins with four-poster beds and period décor or luxury canvas cabins on the banks of Rock Creek, with a rocking chair on the porch for gazing at the epic scenery. This is experiential travel at its most inspired.
