Best Dude Ranches with Mountain Biking
A frequent question that we get emailed here at Equitrekking is, “What are some dude ranches where I can ride and my husband (son, sister or friend) can do other activities?” A popular more recent question has related to guest ranches with mountain biking. While many horse enthusiasts want to trail ride, many modern groups have travelers with varied interests.
by Darley Newman
According to the Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF), which tracks outdoor recreation and publishes the annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Study, mountain biking is a popular U.S. activity, with nearly 40 million participants annually.
Mountain biking at Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Spring, Colorado.
Whether you want to saddle up on two wheels or four legs, here are some great dude ranches where you can do both.
Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
This Colorado guest ranch's extensive mountain biking vacation program involves instruction in the man-made Terrain Park and adventurous single track mountain biking or Forest service road rides, Vista Verde Ranch draws guests interested in biking in Colorado’s scenic Rocky Mountains. Lead guide Steve King takes beginning guests on easier four-wheel drive roads in the National Forest and over fun technical challenges, helping them learn new skills during each session. More advanced riders may want a full day out on singletrack trails. The ranch will send you along with a picnic lunch. Vista Verde Ranch has a fleet of Jamis bikes with disc brakes and dual-suspension.
Lone Mountain Guest Ranch in Big Sky, Montana
Naturalist guides lead travelers on scenic and heart-pumping trails at Lone Mountain Guest Ranch, a historic Montana summer and winter guest ranch just 20 miles from Yellowstone National Park and a 45-minute drive to Bozeman. Whether you’re seeking gentle road grade rides up the Taylor Fork and Tee Pee Creek Roads or exciting single track rides, the altitude and weathered terrain make this Montana ranch activity a challenge.
C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado
Mountain bike trails traverse the ranch at C Lazy U, which is spread over 11,000 acres of land. Guests can enjoy guided or unguided mountain biking and may spot a variety of wildlife. Local guides, many of whom have ridden professionally, take out mountain bikers of all skill levels. All of the necessary equipment is provided by the ranch.
Tanque Verde Ranch in Tuscon, Arizona
This year-round Arizona dude ranch offers over 600 acres of Sonoran desert with single-track mountain biking trails for desert adventure rides. Mountain terrain and views allow for beginning and more experienced mountain bikers to pass through a variety of elevation and landscapes. Tanque Verde provides guests with
helmets, gloves, and bicycles fully equipped with mechanical disc brakes. This Arizona guest ranch also has a unique Pump Track, which allows riders to coast through a track on their bikes using momentum generated from their arms and legs.
Check out more great dude ranches with biking and cycling and other global horseback riding vacations with biking in the Equitrekking Vacation Guide and other top dude ranch picks at Top20Ranches.com.
