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Welcome to Eatons' Guest Ranch Photos coming soon!
Eatons' Ranch is a dude and cattle ranch located on the magnificent, pine-covered eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains in northeastern Wyoming. Just eighteen miles west of Sheridan, the Ranch consists of 7,000 acres of beautiful open country with rolling hills, grassy meadows and hidden valleys. Twisting processions of cottonwood and pine trees mark the course of tumbling streams that roll out of the mountains.
For 125 years, we have offered our guests a western experience and shared with them a way of life. We are proud to carry on a tradition and preserve a ranching heritage that goes back five generations.
We invite you to join us and experience everything Eatons' Ranch has to offer. Once you have spent time with us, you will always be part of Eatons' and its history.
Eatons' Family Dude Ranch History
Back in 1879, three brothers, Howard, Willis, and Alden Eaton established their horse and cattle ranch near Medora, North Dakota. Their friends from the East began to visit them almost immediately.
Some of these early guests stayed for months at a time. Finally, one of the guests recognized the expense these extended visits entailed and prevailed upon the Eatons to charge for room and board, so "folks can stay as long as they like." Thus, the dude ranch business was born and an industry started.
In 1904, to provide a more suitable and varied riding terrain for their ever-growing number of guests, the Eatons "pulled up stakes" in North Dakota and moved to the present ranch location on Wolf Creek near Sheridan, Wyoming.
Eatons' Ranch has always been in the hands of the Eaton family and is now operated by the fourth and fifth generations of Eatons.
HISTORICAL POINTS
Yellowstone Park is only half a day's drive away from Eatons' Ranch. Battle of the Little Bighorn National Monument, Fort Phil Kearny, Fetterman Massacre site, battlegrounds of the Wagon Box Fight, Tongue River Canyon, Bradford Brinton Memorial, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art and the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody are all within easy driving distance as well.
General Information for your Dude Ranch Vacation
Summer 2010 Season: May 29 - September 30
Climate: At just 4,500 feet, we tend to have mild weather. Early June can be wet, but the remainder of the season is typically dry. Daytime temperatures are often in the low to mid 80s with temperatures falling into the 50s in the evening. Please visit the Weather Channel for current conditions in Wolf, WY.
Capacity: The Ranch can accommodate as many as 125 guests comfortably among our 51 individual cabins.
Clothing: There is no formality in clothing at the Ranch. Western riding clothes are usually worn throughout the day; casual and comfortable clothes are the norm when not riding. Lightweight jackets or sweatshirts may be needed for cool evenings and mountain riding, and rain gear is always a good idea, just in case. Do not forget to bring your swimsuit for our pool and hot tub.
Laundry Facilities: Coin-operated laundry facilities are located on the Ranch. Garments in need of dry-cleaning can be left in the office to be sent to town.
Ranch Store: We carry a small supply of drugs, toiletries, snacks and beverages in our store. We also recommend a visit to our gift shop; we have a fantastic selection of Eatons' Ranch caps, shirts, fleece pullovers, jackets, coffee mugs and much more. Our selection of Southwestern and Native American jewelry is especially popular.
Coffee Shop: If you miss breakfast or are looking for a refreshing drink after your ride, the coffee shop is the place to be. We serve an assortment of coffees, cold drinks, bagels and cookies. Come visit with guests and staff between rides!
Town Trips: We have a van traveling to town every afternoon, Monday through Saturday. If you need anything from town, you can place your order in the office and it will be delivered to your cabin. For those who would like to visit Sheridan for the afternoon, arrangements for transportation can be made in the office.
How To Get Here:
Sheridan: The Sheridan Airport is served by Great Lakes Air, which has a code share with Frontier and United through Denver, CO. We provide transportation for the 30-minute drive at no additional charge.
Billings, MT: The Billings airport is served by most major airlines. Guests often rent cars for the two-hour drive, or Ranch transportation can be arranged in advance for an additional charge.
Casper, WY: The Casper airport is served by United via Denver and by Delta via Salt Lake City. Guests can rent a car for the 2.5-hour drive, or Ranch transportation can be arranged in advance for an additional charge.
Approximate driving time to the ranch from:
Cody: 2.5 hours
Jackson: 6-7 hours
East Gate of Yellowstone: 4 hours
Denver: 7 hours
Driving Directions to the Ranch:
From Sheridan Airport
- Airport Road to Big Horn Avenue
- Left on Big Horn Avenue which turns into Main Street
- Main Street to Loucks
- Left on Loucks (which turns into WY Hwy 331) to County Road 89 (gravel road, approximately 9 miles out of town)
- Hard right onto 89 to Ranch gate (approx. 6 miles)
- Ranch gate on left; approximately 3 miles to Ranch Office
From Sheridan via I-90 West (from Buffalo)
- I-90 Exit 25; Left off ramp to Coffeen Avenue
- Right on Coffeen Avenue to Main Street
- Left on Loucks; see directions above
From Billings Airport
- 27th Street to I-90 East to Sheridan. Stay on I-90 East to Exit 9 (approx 1.5 hours)
- West (Right off Exit) through Ranchester and Dayton
- Left on South Fork Avenue (just after Mountain Inn Bar)
- Right on Beckton Road; stay on Beckton for approximately 4.5 miles
- At "Y" go right onto County Road 89; stay on 89 for approximately 1.5 miles
- Ranch gate on right; approximately 3 miles to Ranch Office
From Jackson/Yellowstone/Cody
- US Hwy 14 East to Shell, over the Bighorn Mountains to Dayton
- Right on South Fork Avenue (just before Mountain Inn Bar)
- See directions above (from Billings airport)
Eatons' Dude Ranch Guest Comments
"Eatons' embodies, for me, what matters in life. To come to Eatons' allows us to be a family, exploring the beautiful world of Wolf without the nonsense and busy-ness of home...Your dedication is a gift to us. Thank you."
Eleanor Nimick Hay
"Business takes me all over the world and I have seen a lot of places, but there is only one place where I can truly relax, forget about the stresses of everyday life, and spend a quiet, fun filled week with my family and grandchildren. That place is Eatons' Ranch."
David Oskin, Connecticut
"A vacation at Eatons' Ranch is so much more than that. It is an experience. One of our favorite things about Eatons' is that you can do as much or as little as you like. From the fabulous scenery and beautiful horses, to the competent staff that makes it all happen, Eatons' is without a doubt my family's favorite place to visit!"
Tracy Boyle, New Jersey
- Contact Smore Travel anytime for a free quote: Cheryl@SmoreTravel.com
Dude Ranch Activities
Riding: Eatons' offers our guests the unique opportunity to ride one of our 220 horses unescorted with the permission of the Ranch. This allows guests the remarkable freedom to fully explore this beautiful 7,000 acres of country. Guests can ride twice a day Monday through Friday, choosing among morning, afternoon and evening rides. We also have all-day rides into the Bighorn National Forest as well as breakfast rides. Riding is a bit more limited on weekends; there are only morning and afternoon rides on Saturday, and on Sunday there is only a morning ride as the rest of the day is our horse holiday. Wranglers are always available to guide rides and offer instruction.Overnight Pack Trips: Trips in the Bighorn National Forest provide another horseback riding adventure for our guests. The Ranch supplies horses, guides, wrangler-cook and all of the necessary equipment. Plans for a pack trip can be made after your arrival at the Ranch.
Swimming Pool: The Ranch's 40 X 70-foot pool is within walking distance from your cabin. There is also a hot tub available for guest use; soak those tired muscles after a ride!Fishing: Guests can fish in the pristine mountain waters of Wolf Creek, other nearby streams and rivers, or our bass pond. Eatons' offers experts as well as novices the chance to catch rainbows, brookies, browns and large-mouth bass. You can bring your own equipment or rent gear and find flies and tackle in our Wolf Creek Fly Shop. For guided trips, we now partner with an Orvis-endorsed fly shop in Big Horn, Wyoming. For more information, please visit their website: www.theguideshack.com.
Golfing: The Sheridan area also boasts two courses, Kendrick Municipal, and the area's newest course, The Powder Horn. This course was recently rated #65 on America's Top 100 Modern Courses List.Other Entertainment: Wranglers frequently gather at Gentry Field (the Ranch rodeo grounds) for jackpot team roping or just for a little practice. There is a weekly dance in Howard Hall (the recreation building), and during the rest of the week the Hall is the center of activity for the young set. The Main House provides the perfect setting for various social gatherings or to play cards and games.
Additional Activities/Amenities
- Hiking
- Bird Watching
- Hot Tub
- Horseshoes
- Ping Pong
- Volleyball
- Softball
- Barbecues
- Dances
- Bingo
- Shopping
- Museums
Eatons' Ranch
Wolf, Wyoming 82844
307-655-9285 or 800-
Ranch Holidays for Families & Children
As a family-owned and operated dude ranch, we recognize the importance and rewards of families spending time together. Eatons' is the ideal location for a family vacation or reunion. We now have fourth and fifth generations of families visiting the ranch. From mid-June to late August, our dudes consist primarily of families, but we also have plenty to offer couples and individuals during that time.
Children's Program
We will have recreational staff on duty during scheduled riding times to offer supervision for children three years and older. Supervisors must see a parent or guardian before the child will be allowed to leave the recreation area. We also have organized activities every afternoon, Monday through Saturday, at Howard Hall. There is bingo on Sunday nights, which has always been popular for kids and adults alike. Activities will range from arts and crafts to scavenger hunts to afternoons at the pool. We will also have planned rides for children six years and older (The Mosquito Fleet), nature hikes, and movie-and-roasted-marshmallow nights.
Babysitting Services: We will attempt to have babysitters available for children two years and under from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for an additional charge of $8/hour for the first child and $2/hour for each additional child. Evening babysitting services can be arranged individually with the Ranch staff.
Dude Ranch Vacation Accommodations
Accommodations consist of cabins that vary in size to suit small or large families, couples or singles. The rooms are furnished simply and comfortably in a Western motif. Most of the rooms are arranged for two persons with twin beds, and all cabins have private baths. Maid service is provided.
Special requests for a specific cabin can be made; however, please note that the cost per person varies depending on the cabin. Please see the list of cabins and rates on our Rates & Reservations page.
Under the following conditions, a $10 per day per unused bed surcharge will be applied:
- 3-bedroom cabin that does not have at least four guests
- 2-bedroom cabin that does not have at least three guests Cheryl@SmoreTravel.com
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Western Cooking &
Summer Events During your Horseback Riding Vacation at Our Wyoming Dude Ranch
All Ranch meals are served at regular hours in our centrally located dining room. Each table seats six to eight people. We offer made-to-order breakfasts; hearty ranch breakfasts are our specialty, but a selection of fruits, cereal and muffins are also available. Our lunch menu varies from buffets to barbecue cookouts. For dinner, we offer a choice of two entrees. We typically offer a choice between beef and chicken, fish or pasta. Saturday night is barbecue night by the creek. We will make every effort to accommodate special dietary needs with advance notice.
Wyoming Conference Center
Conference Dates: May 23th to June 4th, August 30th to October 2nd, or as arranged.
Eatons' not only offers families a wonderful setting for a vacation, it also provides an ideal setting for corporate retreats. We can provide your group with comfortable western accommodations, and you can choose from a number of locations from which to conduct your meetings.
It can be very productive to hold your meetings in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. One of the advantages to having your conference here is that the attendees can choose from a wide variety of activities. Horseback riding, fly-fishing, golf, nature walks, shopping and western museum tours are all readily available. From meeting time to free time, we will work with you to plan a retreat that meets your needs and budget.
Please contact us for more information, availability and rates.
FACILITIES:
Meeting Rooms
- Howard Hall: Capacity 80-100 seated classroom style; 40-50 seated at tables.
- Dining Room: Capacity 45.
- Sun Room: Capacity 20-30.
- Elliot: Capacity 15-20.
Phones
- Three pay phones located near meeting sites.
- Messages will be taken in Ranch Office.
Fax
- Fax machine located in Ranch Office.
Internet
- Wireless access available in Main Ranch House.
Guest Quote:
"Spectrem Group has brought the entire company to Eatons' Ranch for five consecutive years for a company wide retreat. We come back year after year because of the beauty of the landscape, the majesty of the horses, the charm of the ranch, and the tremendous service of the staff. We enjoy it so much we invite our families to join us for the weekend prior to our business meetings. For Spectrem Group, Eatons' Ranch is a great mix of strategic thinking, community building, training, and glorious fun."
Jodi Alperstein - Spectrem Group, San Francisco, CA
email us at:
Cheryl@Smoretravel.com
Rates & Reservations for Eatons' Guest Ranch
2010 RATES
To make reservations at the Ranch, please contact us directly as reservations can be made only after direct personal correspondence with us. We have no official representative away from the Ranch who is authorized to make the final arrangements necessary for a visit to the Ranch.
The minimum stay at Eatons' Ranch throughout our summer season is three nights.
Rates quoted below include meals, accommodations with full bath, use of a saddle horse and all general entertainment at the Ranch. Please note that horseback riding is the main activity during our shoulder seasons (early June, late August and September). There is no charge for meeting guests at the plane in Sheridan or taking them to the plane when they depart. Transportation from Billings is an additional charge. Per person rates vary according to cabin; see list of cabins and rates below.
JUNE 5th through AUGUST 13th:
- $210 - $235 per night for each person 18 years and over (rate depends on cabin category, see below)
- $180 per night for each person 17 years and under
- $145 per night for each person 5 years and under
MAY 29th through June 4th and AUGUST 14th through SEPTEMBER 30th:
- $185 - $210 per night for each person 18 years and over (rate depends on cabin category, see below)
- $155 per night for each person 17 years and under
- $135 per night for each person 5 years and under
*No charge for children 2 years old and under
*Nannies who are not horseback riding are charged the 5 years old and under rate
*Sales tax (at 6%) not included in above rates.
CABIN NOTES
*Please note that the number of guests that each cabin accommodates is indicated in parenthesis after each listing.
Applicable rates will be clearly stated in correspondence when arrangements for your stay at the Ranch are made.
Under the following conditions, a $10 per night per unused bed surcharge will be applied:
- A cabin that sleeps five or six does not have at least 4 guests
- A cabin that sleeps four does not have at least 3 guests
No premium charge or surcharge will be applied if we assign a cabin to you based on our vacancies.
GRATUITIES
A fifteen (15) percent service charge will be added to the above rates.
DEPOSIT
A $500 per-person deposit is required to confirm all reservations. Reservations without a deposit will be released in 72 hours.
CANCELLATIONS:
Deposits remain refundable minus a $100 service charge up until 60 days prior to the arrival date. All cancellations within 59 days of the reservation are no longer refundable.
CHANGES:
Any changes made to reservation dates and/or number of guests must be made 60 days prior to the reservation. If dates and/or guests are removed from the reservation less than 60 days in advance, guests will be billed for the original dates and number of guests.
- VISA, MASTERCARD and DISCOVER are accepted.
- The Ranch does not guarantee babysitting services for children two years of age and younger; however we do try to have these services available as often as we can.
- Individuals under six years of age are not allowed to trail ride.
- Check-in time is 3:00 PM unless other arrangements have been made.
- Check-out time is 12:00 Noon unless other arrangements have been made.
- Please be aware that all guests are required to sign a waiver/release form upon checking in at the Ranch.
- No pets allowed.
For reservations and information pertaining to the Ranch, address the Eatons' Ranch office staff at (800) 210-1049 or info@eatonsranch.com.
Please note that all reservations will be confirmed in writing via the US Postal Service.
Contact Smore Travel about Eatons' Guest Ranch
Please use this form for reservation requests and for general questions.
If you need your questions answered immediately, please call us directly.
Smore Travel
425-466-1211
