The best fantasies start with a few reality checks: How well do you and your clan ride?

A working vacation

This will determine whether your destination should be a hard-core working ranch with a mission to brand, drive or round up cattle, or a "dude" setup where you can touch horseflesh for the first time and learn how to ride without undue pressure to do more than stay on top and steer.

There are lots of choices in between. A happy medium is a ranch that allows you to ride when, where, and with whom you please, and at your own pace.

Terrain may play a part in your fantasy. Do you dream about the sagebrush country of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, or Montana; the cactus-covered hills of the Southwest; or the tall green pines of the Rocky Mountains?

You'll find plenty of ranch options in all of these locales.

More Dude Ranch Resources:
Colorado Ranches
Montana Ranches
Wyoming Ranches
Arizona Ranches
Oregon Ranches

	When to Go Where you want to go determines the best time—or vice-versa. Ranches in northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and at higher elevations open later in the spring and close earlier in the fall than those in southern Colorado and lower elevations. Ranches in extremely hot climates such as Arizona are open in winter, closed in summer. Some are open year-round. For bargains, go during the fringe seasons. You might get caught by an early or late snow storm, but hey, real cowboys do it.