The Best Guide to Greenhorn Ranch, CA (a dude ranch)

Disclosure: Greenhorn Ranch invited us to stay for a dude ranch experience. However, the content is based on my experience and opinions. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Greenhorn Ranch is a premier dude ranch nestled in Northern California’s Sierra Mountains attracting guests since 1962. At Greenhorn Ranch, adults and kids have a wide variety of dude ranch activities on the expansive property to keep them busy from sunrise to well past sundown. Some of my favorite dude ranch activities included horseback riding, hiking, and the archery obstacle course. For the full dude ranch experience, you’ll want to spend several days at Greenhorn Ranch. 

About Greenhorn Ranch              

Greenhorn Ranch is a long-time member of the Dude Ranch Association, which promotes the highest quality of service and a commitment to preserving and protecting parks, forests, and wildlife. Greenhorn Ranch sits on over 600 acres of pristine property in an area nicknamed the “Lost Sierras” because of its under-the-radar location within the Sierra Mountains and unspoiled wilderness.   

Whether you are relaxing by the pond, enjoying s’mores under the stars, or out for a horseback ride, you will be struck by the natural beauty at Greenhorn Ranch. One of the things I enjoyed most about the Greenhorn Ranch is how it fits naturally within the landscape and allows guests to appreciate their peaceful surroundings. 

What Makes Greenhorn Ranch Special?

Greenhorn Ranch is a unique place in large part because of the warm hospitality and the stunning location in the Lost Sierras. The staff is eager to ensure you enjoy your stay because they want you to love Greenhorn Ranch as much as they do. It is easy to see why the staff at Greenhorn Ranch enjoy their jobs so much and come back season after season.

History of Greenhorn Ranch

Greenhorn Ranch was established in 1962 for those looking to get away and take advantage of an outdoor paradise. Ralph Wilburn, an experienced cowboy, was one of the first people hired at Greenhorn Ranch. Mr. Wilburn became a fixture at The Ranch, and in 2000, he and his wife Trish purchased the Ranch. Together they owned the Ranch for seventeen years until they decided it was time to retire. 

In 2018, a group of families banded together to purchase Greenhorn Ranch from Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn. The new owners strive to honor the legacy left by the Wilburn’s and are constantly working to enhance the guest experience. Mr. Wilburn is still active at the Ranch and often comes by to visit and lend a helping hand. 

How do I get to Greenhorn Ranch?

Greenhorn Ranch is located just outside Quincy, California, a small town in Northern California. To reach Greenhorn Ranch, many guests drive about an hour and a half from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The drive through Plumas National Forest to get to the Ranch takes visitors through the expansive meadows, small towns, and gorgeous scenery.

When is the best time to visit a dude ranch?

The summer at Greenhorn Ranch provides warm weather and long days for guests to take advantage of the fun activities. June through August is peak time at Greenhorn Ranch when the sun is shining, and the snow has melted. You will find lots of families enjoying their guest ranch vacations over the summer.

Our visit was at the end of September and during the early days of fall. The days were sunny but not too warm, and the nights were cool but not cold. Just cold enough to gather by the bonfire and make s’mores!   The Ranch was quieter than during the popular summer months, which was nice.

From November through early May, Greenhorn Ranch is available for lodging only. Once the snow starts to fall, activities and meals are no longer available.

Daytime Dude Ranch Activities

The activities director at Greenhorn Ranch has thoughtfully curated a wide variety of traditional and contemporary dude ranch activities for guests. Guests can participate in morning and afternoon activities, so they can try an array of different things to do at the dude ranch. 

Pro Tip: 

If there is a particular activity you must do, contact Greenhorn Ranch to see if you can sign up for that activity in advance of your stay.

Horseback Riding at Greenhorn Ranch

Horseback riding is one of the more popular dude ranch experiences. The equestrian program at Greenhorn Ranch is run by experienced wranglers who take great pride in the horses and the guest experience. The sixty or so horses are well trained and lovingly cared for by the staff.

Most mornings and afternoons, guests can go out on scenic horseback riding adventures through the forest based on their skill level. The talented wranglers each have their favorite trails they like to share with the guests. The benefit to guests is they can explore different trails during their stay. 

The riders are separated by skill level – beginner, intermediate, and advanced thereby providing a better experience for all riders. Advance riders can even lope (run) their horse after an initial ride and skills assessment. The wranglers take the advanced skill assessment seriously and will not pass guests who have not quite mastered the skills necessary for an advanced ride. However, guests can work on their riding skills while at The Ranch to potentially pass the skills assessment before the end of their stay.   

Guests, at their option, have the option of riding the same horse throughout their stay, giving guests the opportunity to bond with their horses to create an elevated experience.

Pro Tip: 

All riders are required to wear boots. So, if you plan to ride and don’t want to wear a pair of guest boots, make sure you pack your own.

Hiking

Another popular dude ranch activity is hiking. The 600+ acre guest ranch abuts 500,000 acres of public land, giving guests endless territory to explore. Guests can take a short stroll or spend the day on a self-guided hiking adventure in the wilderness. The trails are accessible directly from Greenhorn Ranch. As part of the safety program, guests will be outfitted with a first aid kit and a radio.

E-Mountain Biking

One of the newer activities at Greenhorn Ranch is fat tire electric mountain biking. Guests can take advantage of 500,000 acres of off-road terrain at The Ranch. Guests can explore the California forests on the 1-2 hour guided ride. Given the varied trails, there is a ride for everyone, regardless of whether you are an experienced cyclist or new to the sport.

Archery at a dude ranch

Greenhorn Ranch has modernized its approach to archery. Instead of the traditional target, Greenhorn Ranch has raised the bar on this dude ranch experience. Guests have a chance to test their skills on traditional targets but also have the opportunity to go “hunting” with a bow and arrow. There is an obstacle course in the woods where you can aim at different foam animals, such as a deer or a bear. This inventive idea makes archery more exciting and challenging than shooting at a traditional target. 

Skeet shooting at a dude ranch

A gunslinger is part of every Western movie and story. At Greenhorn Ranch, guests can participate in this Western tradition by skeet shooting. At the ready are 12-gauge shotguns and clay pigeons to test your skills. A guide is also available to provide instruction.  

Fishing at Greenhorn Ranch

Join the Orvis-certified fly fishing guide at Greenhorn Ranch to hone your skills, or try fly fishing for the first time. The Ranch pond is stocked with rainbow and brown trout for the catch and release program. During certain times of the year, guests can head to the Feather River and other Northern California waterways to enjoy unmatched scenery on a fly fishing adventure.                                          

Golf

Although Greenhorn Ranch does not have a golf course onsite, multiple courses are available within a ten-minute drive. 

Dude Ranch Crafts

The Ranch understands that not everyone wants to be active all day, every day on their dude ranch vacation. Craft projects are offered to ensure guests have something to do while enjoying some downtime. Sample craft activities include leather crafting, horseshoe painting, and tie-dye.

Dude Ranch Games

Traditional games are available for guests at The Ranch. There is a game room with pool tables, a ping pong table, and video games for guests. Step outside where traditional lawn games, such as horseshoes and cornhole, are available as well.   

Are there dude ranch activities available for my kids?

Dude ranches are popular with families, and Greenhorn Ranch is no exception. Families flock to The Ranch to experience the Western way of life. To ensure parents, as well as children, have a good time, Greenhorn Ranch has a unique program designed with age-appropriate activities for kids. Greenhorn Ranch offers kid-focused activities such as scavenger hunts, kid’s archery, and slingshot lessons to keep the little ones entertained while their parents have their own dude ranch adventure. 

There is also a pool, which is great for kids.

Pro Tip: 

I recommend signing up for the all-inclusive dude ranch package, where your stay includes two activities a day, all your meals, and lodging. There are so many things to do at Greenhorn Ranch you will want to try them all.

Evening activities at Greenhorn Ranch

A Western-themed dude ranch would not be complete without a saloon. The bar is well stocked with top-shelf liquor and has whiskey from the owner’s local distillery in Mammoth Lakes.  

Once the sun goes down, there are still several activities to keep you busy at night. Guests can enjoy a bonfire, s’mores, movie night (Western theme, of course), karaoke, stargazing, and line dancing. 

Accommodations at Greenhorn Ranch

Greenhorn Ranch offers several different types of guest lodging. To help guests unplug and enjoy the outdoors, none of the rooms at Greenhorn Ranch have a television or a phone. However, WiFi is available for you to stream your favorite show if you cannot live without it for a few nights.

Lodge

The Lodge at Greenhorn Ranch is a cozy two-story building with twelve guestrooms and several common areas for guests to gather, relax, and get to know one another. The guest rooms in the Lodge are modest and include a king or queen-size bed and a bathroom with a stall shower. 

Cabins

Along the creek are two types of rustic cabins. However, all of them have multiple beds making them ideal for families. The single-room cabins that front the creek are referred to as the Creekside Cabins and include a king bed, one set of bunk beds, and a small bathroom with an updated shower. These rooms have hard surface floors. Each room has a porch swing where you relax and enjoy the stellar views of Greenhorn Ranch and the surrounding mountains. These cabins also have a shared door that can be unlocked to create adjoining rooms. 

We stayed in cabin 3A, which was perfect for us. The cabin, although simple, had incredible views and was centrally located. I also appreciated the renovated showers that feel slightly larger than the Pines Cabins and the Lodge showers.    

The Pine Cabins are larger than the Creekside Cabins and contain either bunk beds or double beds in the front room and a separate bedroom with a king-size bed. These cabins are mostly carpeted and have higher ceilings. Each of these cabins has its own bathroom with a stall shower. 

Airstream Camper

On the far side of Greenhorn Ranch is a restored Airstream camper. The Airstream is ideal for those looking for more privacy. You can sit out on your private deck and admire the stars or enjoy a glass of wine while listening to music on the upgraded sound system. 

Pro Tip: 

All of the accommodations are the same price. The price difference is based on the number of guests per room. So, when you book your reservation, make sure you select the type of accommodation that best suits your needs. I prefer the single-room Creekside Cabins with updated bathrooms and spectacular views. 

Who should stay at Greenhorn Ranch?

Greenhorn Ranch is well suited for families, couples, and groups of friends looking to have fun and relax in a beautiful place. Guest ranch vacations are terrific for family reunions too.

Gary and I went together and had a blast. We were big kids for a few days. A visit to Greenhorn Ranch brought back several childhood memories of summer camp, and we were sad to leave at the end of our trip.

Greenhorn Ranch is also pet-friendly.

How long should I stay at Greenhorn Ranch?

I suggest staying at least three nights at Greenhorn Ranch to take advantage of the dude ranch experience. With at least three nights, you will have a chance to try multiple activities or repeat the ones you like best without feeling like you missed out on any given experience. 

Dining experiences at Greenhorn Ranch

After a long day out on the range, you are sure to be hungry. Meals are essential to the dude ranch experience and are used to bring people together. The communal tables are a good way for guests to get to know one another over shared experiences and love of The Ranch. 

Greenhorn Ranch takes its food seriously and is keen on providing delicious meals to its guests. The highly trained chef makes delicious meals that are perfectly paired with life on the dude ranch. 

While staying at Greenhorn Ranch, guests can also enjoy a variety of themed dinners such as wagon cookouts, Taco Tuesday, barbeques, and festive holiday-themed meals. 

What should I pack for my dude ranch vacation?

Cowboy boots for horseback riding and hanging out at The Ranch.

A plaid shirt is fun for a horseback riding adventure.

A cowboy hat is great for most activities at a dude ranch to keep your face out of the sun.

Bandanas are great for horseback riding, hiking, fly-fishing, and e-mountain bike riding to protect you from the sun and potential dust.

Hiking boots are terrific for spending a day out on the trails.

Hiking pants are comfortable for varied terrain and activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and horseback riding.

Beanie for at night for when it gets cool.

A fleece jacket helps to keep you warm at night.

Long socks for hiking and horseback riding are a must!

A reusable water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated while at a dude ranch.

Final Thoughts

I had an amazing time at Greenhorn Ranch and I hope you do to. Hopefully, you will be able to visit and spend at least three nights to take advantage of the fun-filled activities.

Have you been to a dude ranch before? I’d love to find out in the comments below.

If outdoor vacations are not for you, then you might enjoy a beach vacation to Punta Mita, Mexico, or a romantic getaway in Northern California.

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