A Little Dude Ranch History

The lure of the Old West and all it's wonders had spread across the country and the Atlantic by the end of the 1800's.

The transcontinental rail system provided the ease of travel necessary for easterners to experience the unparalleled beauty, romance, adventure, and simplicity of the western life. The stream of visitors escaping the hustle and bustle of city life became an onslaught on the ill-prepared accommodations that existed in the frontier towns and did not meet the standards of new visitors.

The natural creation of the dude ranch industry insured the safe, comfortable exploration and ability to experience the wonders of the West. The original dude ranches were frequently started by cattle and horse ranchers. These early ranchers were overwhelmed with requests of summer accommodations because nowhere else could be found adequate food, shelter, and hosts that could help anyone enjoy the wonders of the West.

The western dude ranch experience offers relief for both the body and spirit of those seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern life as it did over a century ago. Lasting bonds and great memories still bring families back to dude ranches generation after generation. This is the living testimony to the timelessness of the values and standards of the original dude ranchers.

Most of these early visitors came to stay for extended periods of time and all were seen as guests in the rancher's home. It soon became apparent that it was not just the wonders of the West attracting returning visitors, but also the ranchers' love of their way of life. In order to not feel as a burden, the visitors began offering to pay for their stay. Soon entrepreneurial individuals, often former guests on other ranches, began their own lodges and ranches for the specific purpose of receiving guests.

Dude ranching slowly evolved from many sources in different locations and began to organize itself at the urging of the Northern Pacific Railroad in September of 1926 in Bozeman, Montana. The railroad saw the dude ranches as a partner in the tourism industry of the West to combat the automobile taking over the travel industry and the often isolated and impersonal experience of staying in hotels.