Texas Ranch Vacations

Dude ranch vacations in Texas offer western horseback riding in the second-largest U.S. state - by both area and population - riding through diverse landscapes that resemble both the American South and Southwest. This makes it one of the best places in America to take a western ranch vacation.

But don’t assume you’ll be horseback riding through desert during your guest ranch vacation - Texas might be popularly associated with the Southwestern deserts, but actual fact, less than 10% of the land area is desert – think more along the lines of former prairies, grasslands, forests, and the coastline. Take a western horseback ride through coastal swamps and piney woods, over rolling plains and rugged hills, or through the desert and mountains of the Big Bend – whatever you’re looking for from your next guest ranch vacation, Texas can provide!

With the Texas cattle industry thriving after the Civil War, the state is now widely associated with the cowboy image – and it certainly lives up to that. Texas plays host to some of the best western ranches in America, which can give you whatever you want from your next dude ranch vacation. From authentic working ranches where you can get involved with ranch work and cattle drives; to authentic guest ranches where you can saddle up for horseback trail rides and immerse yourself in western cowboy culture; to luxury dude ranches and family dude ranches, popular with families with children, honeymoon couples, corporate retreats, novice and first-time horseback riders, and those wishing to experience a more relaxing vacation on a western ranch.

Texas might be a large state with rough terrain, but it compensates for this with America's longest highway and railway system, and the largest number of airports – so wherever in the world you’re coming from for a western vacation in Texas, you’ll have no trouble getting there! Another thing Texas has in abundance is great cuisine. Sit down to the dinner table in the ranch house after a day of horseback riding or ranch activities, and tuck into a blend of Southwestern, Southern and Western influenced cuisine. To set you up for a day in the saddle at your chosen Texas guest or dude ranch, try a breakfast burrito – a soft flour tortilla wrapped around bacon and scrambled eggs or other hot, cooked fillings.

Pack for all seasons if you choose a cowboy vacation in Texas, as the state’s multiple climate zones gives this state highly variable weather. Maximum temperatures in the summer months range from 26°C to 38°C depending on your chosen working ranch, guest ranch or luxury dude ranch’s location. If you’re looking to book a winter ranch break then pack your thermals – snow frequently falls through cold months in the more mountainous areas of western Texas. But wherever you’re staying and whatever the weather, you can be sure of great horseback riding and a fantastic dude ranch vacation at a ranch in Texas.