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Top 5 destinations for your socially distant vacation: Luxury dude ranches

Rolling hills and green pastures. Tree-lined mountains. Tens of thousands of acres of land. Freshwater rivers. Rustic, luxurious cabins. Fresh food cooked over the fire. Being one with the outdoors. That’s the norm year-round at a luxury dude ranch in the Rockies. But, what about staying at a luxury dude ranch during COVID?

It’s a time of year when people are normally traveling all over the place. You might be wondering what to do with the rest of your summer. And what about the fall? Or the rest of 2020? 2021?

Where can you vacation in the Rockies during COVID?

As COVID numbers continue to trend in the wrong direction for the United States, we continue to be more limited in where we can travel. This is a dynamic situation, and things are changing daily. But overall, here’s the trend if you are thinking about a vacation during COVID. As a US citizen, if you are going to travel near term, domestic is your safest bet.

For more detail on this, read my article covering the Top 50 destinations in the US for your post-quarantine vacation (linked here).

If you are thinking about taking a vacation during COVID, I need to tell you something. There are so many amazing properties spread across the US that were designed for social distancing. And that was wayyy before it was the travel industry’s hottest trend! If you don’t believe me, read on.

This article will dive into the region towering high above most of the rest of the United States: the Rockies. Specifically, I will share 5 of my favorite luxury dude ranches to consider for your Rockies vacation during COVID.

For the purposes of this article, I am only including luxury dude ranch destinations in the Rockies. I realized that there are too many great options in the Rockies, so there is a post dedicated 100% to non-dude ranch luxury resorts in the Rockies (linked here).

 

Top 5 luxury dude ranches for your post-quarantine vacation

Whether you live in the Rocky Mountains, driving distance from the Rocky Mountains, or you’re willing to fly to the Rockies, there’s a breathtaking option for you. 

And yes, I understand that there are some areas in the Rocky Mountain states that are seeing spikes in COVID cases. The properties on this list are all in remote locations, have tons of outdoor space, and offer secluded accommodation options. For example, cabins, glamping tents, private homes, or full buyout.

We’ve chosen options at different price points and rounded things out geographically within the Rockies. That being said, the quintessential luxury dude ranch experience is expensive no matter what. But, it’s an all inclusive experience. The interpretation of “all inclusive” varies by property, but in general this means all meals, drinks, and most activities. So when you think about it, you’re getting a good amount of value for the cost.

It is also not an end all, be all list. There are too many great properties to include them all. If you do not find something that matches your needs, please reach out and ask (email me directly: jordan@thejourneybound.com). I am happy to have the conversation and guide you in the right direction!

You might be looking for a near term driving distance getaway. Or maybe you’re planning ahead for a time when you will be ready to travel. Either way, continue reading and use this hand-picked list of luxury dude ranches as a starting point. 

 

VIP perks and amenities for you

I am partnered with many of these properties (e.g. Virtuoso), which means free stuff and VIP treatment for you! At a minimum, this means:

  • Activity credits to use during your stay
  • Potential room upgrades
  • Round trip airport transportation (at some properties)

Plus, I will always contact the properties directly on behalf of my clients. This ensures they are ready to welcome you personally, and gives you the best chance of receiving extra amenities and room upgrades 🙂

 

The Resort at Paws Up | Greenough, MT – The Resort at Paws Up lies at the crossroads of incomparable luxury and unspoiled wilderness. It is a luxury mountain resort situated on a sprawling, 37,000-acre, authentic working cattle ranch in western Montana. Regardless of your accommodation preference, you’ll experience an unfiltered connection with the natural beauty of Montana amidst a landscape of impeccable rustic elegance and comfort. Here, you’ll live day to day, adventure to adventure. Cast a fly in sparkling waters to eager trout, explore the land Lewis & Clark swooned over by horseback, by two wheels or four, or by foot, or lose yourself in a world-class spa. You’ll sleep deeply, eat world-class cuisine, and enjoy impassioned personalized service.

Choose from a variety of safari style glamping tents, luxury cabins, and luxury ranch homes.

  • Open: Now
  • $1600++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

The Ranch at Rock Creek | Philipsburg, MT – Nestled in one of Montana’s most pristine valleys, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers a year-round experience, balancing authentic Western adventure with lavish all inclusive amenities. Start the day with inspired Ranch cuisine, then engage in an endless array of outdoor activities, including fly fishing, sport shooting, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Experience awe-inspiring views from The Top of the World by horseback and then drift off for a refreshing night’s rest in a bespoke glamping tent or luxury cabin under the Big Sky.

Choose from a wide range of accommodation options, including lodge suites, luxury homes, a converted historic barn, and canvas glamping cabins.

  • Open: Now
  • $1800++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Triple Creek Ranch | Darby, MT – Experience the legendary hospitality and enchanting beauty of Triple Creek Ranch, set in the heart of the breathtaking Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies. Triple Creek Ranch offers an all inclusive vacation experience of refined rustic elegance, gourmet cuisine and thoughtful wine pairings, and warm, welcoming, five star service amidst the romance of a forested mountain retreat. Here, adult travelers enjoy a truly romantic setting with incomparable scenery, a wide variety of native wildlife, and a seemingly endless menu of all inclusive outdoor activities.

Choose from a variety of luxury ranch cabins and well-appointed ranch homes.

  • Open: Now
  • $1100++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Lone Mountain Ranch | Big Sky, MT – For over 100 years, Lone Mountain Ranch has given travelers an authentic experience of Yellowstone Country. Surrounded by the park, the Montana Rockies, rivers and grasslands, and only 40 minutes from the Bozeman Airport, this is where guests find and enjoy the good things in life. Activities range from horseback riding and year-round fly fishing to all-access tours of Yellowstone Park and skiing (Nordic or downhill). Stay in a historic private cabin with all the elevated comforts of home, where the property’s ranch hands, expert guides, and chefs curate the best of what Montana has to offer.

Choose from a variety of accommodation options, ranging from one- and two-bedroom cabins to private homes.

  • Open: Now
  • $850++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Brush Creek Ranch | Saratoga, WY – Time seems to stand still at Brush Creek Ranch, a collection of all inclusive guest ranches, each with their own style, in stunning Saratoga, Wyoming. It’s a place where beautiful sunsets and starlit night skies instill wonder in families, couples, and friends. Immerse yourself in the great American west with over 30,000 secluded acres and 5,000 feet of elevation change. Pause from life’s everyday demands to reconnect, relax, and rejoice in unbridled luxury.

Choose from a variety of lodge rooms, cabin suites, and private cabin accommodations in Brush Creek’s three ranches: Lodge & Spa, Magee Homestead, and French Creek.

  • Open: Now
  • $1800++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Again, this is not an end all be all list of luxury dude ranches. But, whether you’re looking for a Rocky Mountains vacation during COVID or if you’re planning ahead for a time when you will be ready to travel, this hand-picked list is a great place to start. 


Most luxury travelers don’t have the time, knowledge, or expertise to plan truly awesome vacations. I offer a personalized travel planning and concierge service to help you save time, access the best travel experiences, and travel hassle free.

I am partnered with many of these luxury properties (e.g. Virtuoso), which means VIP perks and amenities for you! To contact me directly, email jordan@thejourneybound.com. To start planning your trip today, click SCHEDULE A CALL below.

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