After the never-ending spring break of 2020, summer loomed ahead and, with five children spanning a decade in age, finding a vacation that genuinely appealed to everyone in our blended family was proving to be a challenge. The usual beach destinations felt crowded and uncertain, so I floated the idea of a dude ranch to my husband and we set our sights on the wild west for something entirely different.
With Guidance from a dear friend and seasoned Wyoming rancher, we landed on Eaton’s Ranch, founded in 1879 by the Eaton brothers near Wolf, Wyoming, just outside Sheridan. The oldest working dude ranch in the United States, Eaton's is nestled among the pine-covered eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains and encompasses 7,000 acres of rolling hills, grassy meadows, lush valleys, red rocky cliffs and open skies that seem to stretch forever.
There is a rhythm to life at Eaton's Ranch. Before sunrise, wranglers on horseback gather the horses and bring them to the barn, where they are paired with their riders for the duration of their stay. Fast friends are made over horse cakes tucked into saddlebags. Soon after daybreak, the breakfast bell echoes across the property, summoning guests to the dining room. Hats come off at the door, gentlemen. The day is about to begin.
Once in the saddle, adventure awaits. Trails with names like North Red, Indian Rocks, Roosevelt and Chocolate Drop wind through breathtaking landscapes, each offering a different view of Wyoming's rugged beauty. While the horses know these routes well, every ride brings something unexpected.
One horse decides he must lead the pack. Another cannot be trusted bringing up the rear because he'd rather head back to the barn. A sudden mountain rain shower pops up or a snake along the path might spook. Someone spots an antler during a shed hunt or a beloved hat flies off. The unexpected moments become opportunities for problem-solving, teamwork and, hopefully, eventual laughter. For any family, there is something uniquely rewarding about navigating challenges together in the saddle.
At midday, dusty horses and riders alike take a well-earned break. Some guests head to the pool while others grab a book, start a puzzle, hunt for horseshoes, learn a new card game or skip rocks in the clear waters of the Wolf River. The pace slows, and something remarkable happens: people truly connect. Without the distractions of constant notifications and endless scrolling, conversations stretch longer. Siblings spend time together. Parents become fully present and unplugged. Air conditioning is relegated to the common areas and Wi-Fi is even more rare. And somehow, that feels like part of the charm.
Following afternoons filled with fly fishing, skeet shooting, tie-dyeing, lassoing, boot branding, visits to nearby Sheridan for shopping and happy hours in the Saloon, the dinner bell rings. Families share three meals a day around the same table. In today's world, that may be the rarest luxury of all. Stories from the day's adventures are traded while the evening's rides are eagerly anticipated.
Night rides are where Mother Nature gets to show off once more: antelope, prairie dogs and more wildlife emerge while sunsets stun even the most seasoned rider. Once back at the barn, horses are sent out to the pasture to graze beneath the stars that seem so close you could touch them, until the morning, when the ritual begins again. A pleasant exhaustion settles over the ranch—the kind of tired that comes from time well spent rather than time merely passed. Dusty boots line cabin porches, the creak of wooden floorboards tells stories of generations who have walked these halls before and the whir of the fans lulls us to sleep.
The ranch feels a bit like summer camp for families, where adults rediscover their sense of play and children of all ages gain confidence with every ride. Beyond the ranch, you encounter Indian reservations and storied battlefields. And, if you time it right, your visit might align with the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, an amazing showcase just a short drive from the ranch. Since 1931, locals and visitors from across the globe have gathered to celebrate the west and experience some of the best rodeo action in the world. Indian relay races, rodeo queens and clowns, bucking broncos, shopping and carnival rides meant big fun for our whole posse.
Departures don't feel like goodbyes. Instead, they feel like promises. For five years we counted down the days until our return to the ranch. During our time at Eaton's, we experienced countless firsts together—from first dances to first rodeos—and grew in ways we never expected. The lessons are subtle but meaningful: patience, resilience, adaptability and the value of working through challenges together. Alas, as our children grow into lives of their own, schedules and commitments mean this summer's adventure will look a bit different. But Wyoming, we will see you later, partner. And thanks for reminding us what matters most. Happy trails...until we meet again.