What exactly is a dude ranch? Dating back to the late 19th century, dude ranches were first opened as authentic Western adventure vacations. The focus of the trip is horse riding – from slow-paced rides to advanced trots over tougher terrains – but the ranches also provide loads of other activities like cattle penning, horseshoeing and watersports. Great for friends, families and couples alike, you can choose from fine-dining stays to humble abodes – the Dude Ranch Association (DRA) has so much information. Let’s saddle up and discover the best dude ranches the USA has to offer.