USA - Yellowstone Ranch

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There are no set itineraries on this classic dude ranch adventure. Depending on the rider's skill, there are relaxing outrides of a few hours, through to full day excursions in the spectacular Absaroka Mountains and Shoshone National Forest. Riding instruction is available on request for beginners or those wanting to brush up their skills (extra charge).

The ranch is a few miles from Yellowstone Park, and riders have the chance to experience the 150-year-old park for a day during the six-night package. Enjoy a tour of the Park to see some of the spectacular landscapes and attractions, while searching for wildlife. Lunch will be provided during the tour. Guests staying three nights can also consider touring Yellowstone National Park on their own (an extra cost). The ranch is close to the East Entrance and some of Yellowstone’s popular northern attractions including Lamar Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

3-night packages will have the option to go white water rafting (Sunday - Wednesday stays), or on a trip to the Cody Nite Rodeo (Wednesday - Saturday stays) at extra cost. Both of these excursions are included in the 6-night package.

Additional activities at extra cost include archery, sport shooting and hiking, fly-fishing in the Shoshone River (Fishing license required. Enquire for details) 

Non-Riders are welcome to enjoy the ranch activities and off-site excursions as per the itinerary. There are no special non-rider rates.

3-night stays must check in on Sunday or Wednesday.
6-night Package must check in on Sunday.
Check-in: 2:00pm Checkout: 11:00am

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

Most of the horses are Quarter Horse types, but there are some mules and draft crosses. Tack and riding is strictly Western style. Rides will vary from an hour or two, to half-day or longer rides, depending on the guests skills and requirements. Although the ranch can accommodate 35 guests, riding groups are normally limited to 6 riders per wrangler. The daily activity schedule will vary and can include horseback riding and other on-ranch activities such as sport-shooting, archery and hiking. There are also additional off-ranch excursions. Riding lessons can be booked (not included in rate).

There are numerous activities for guests. All levels of rider can be accommodated and allocated the perfect horse to suit their skill level.

The weight limit for this ride is 242 lb/110 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Each cabin on the ranch has its own bathroom and some have several bedrooms. They are furnished with cozy bedding, Navajo rugs, and tasteful decorations. Meals will range from cocktails and dinners enjoyed in the expansive, rustic lodge, cook-outs and campfires, or saddlebag lunches out on the trail. Enjoy a taste of Wyoming with locally inspired dishes and traditional ranch recipes.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. You should be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, you are normally not eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

April, May and the beginning of June can be still cool, rainy and sometimes even snowy (it can be warm and sunny as well but it won’t be hot). Later June, July and August are hot with little precipitation (thunderstorms in the evening, nights are cooler). September is usually still warm but there may be some rain. October: anything is possible, some years it snows a lot, other years it's a perfect Indian summer.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

BE AWARE: There are restrictions and prohibitions on the import of certain prescription drugs into the US. The USA Food and Drug Administration website contains further information and advice on bringing medicines into the USA.

Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

You should take suitable steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks. There are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

Health authorities have classified the USA as having a risk of Zika virus transmission in Florida and a few parts of Texas

You can contact the emergency services by calling 911.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the USA and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In the USA the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).

There is no cell service at the ranch/during ranch activities, but wifi is available in all guest areas (public areas and guest rooms). If guests' cell phones are capable of wifi calling, we recommend setting it up prior to their trip. If using a GoPro please get the permission from the group that they are willing to be filmed.

- Riding Helmet – We strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots/ Cowboy Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- T-shirts/Sleeveless tops/Comfortable shirts
- Long sleeve shirts – we highly recommend riding in long sleeve shirts to block the sun
- Comfortable western or denim shirts
- Bike Shorts / Tights / Underclothing – To minimize possible chafing from riding
- Jeans/Long Pants for evening/daytime wear
- Shorts/ Skirts
- Belt
- Outerwear – Jackets, vests and layers are suggested
- Hoodies or pullovers
- Cowboy Hat (w/Stampede String) and/or Ball Cap
- Walking/Hiking boots
- Sandals/Flip flops – For the pool area
- Bathing suit – For the pool/hot tub
- Water shoes - For rafting
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- After-sun moisturizer
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Plug in converter – If you are traveling from outside the USA
- Reusable plastic or stainless-steel water bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Lightweight backpack – allows you to carry your essentials during the day while keeping your
hands free
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Personal fishing equipment for the avid fisherman (fly rods available to borrow at the ranch)
- Copy of Passport

Provided by hosts
Riding helmet

This ride has 3 and 6 night itineraries between 26 May - 28 Sep
6 nights: Sunday to Saturday
3 nights: Sunday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Saturday

2025: 25 May - 27 Sept

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E. Annie Proulx’s three books of Wyoming short stories (“Close Range”, “Bad Dirt”, “Fine just the way it is”)

Mary O’Hara’s “Flicka” triology.

The Virginian” by Owen Wister (a classic one) and

Zane Grey’s Western novels.

C.J. Box (i.e. “Open Season”) and

Craig Johnson (i.e. “The Cold Dish”).

Cowboy poet Baxter Black 

“Where Rivers change Direction”, a memoir by Mark Spragg about life on an early dude ranch.

“Where the Rivers Run North” by Sam Morton, a historical novel.

“The Meadow” by James Galwin.

Lone Star: A History Of Texas And The Texans by by T. Fehrenbach 

Discovering Natural Horsemanship: A Beginner's Odyssey by Tom Moates.

.Monty Roberts books, particularly ‘The Horse Whisperer’

Notes From A Big Country by Bill Bryson and

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck.

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Off ranch excursions include white river rafting, rancj rodeo, Yellowstone National Park (included in certain dates), fly-fishing, hiking, archery, sport shooting

Bighorn sheep, bison, grizzly and black bears, elk, river otters and other.

The USA has 4 main times zones - Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST) and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Vermont is on EST, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah are all on MST, California is on PST. Weights and measures are imperial although weight is always expressed in pounds, not stone. The US gallon is 3.8 litres in contrast to an imperial gallon which is 4.2 litres. Mobile telephone: 4G and 5G is widely available throughout the US in cities, towns, villages and along main highways with AT&T having the best overall coverage and T-mobile offering better speeds in cities. There is NO cell reception at the ranch, but there is WiFi in our saloon and office. There are still a few rural areas which have the older CDMA telephone networks. To be able to call from these areas we recommend buying a cheap Verizon phone from eg Walmart (from $13) and topping up with credit. Almost all hotels and airports offer free wifi connection.