There is a lot to know about living and working on a guest ranch. Guest ranching is a hospitality focused industry that allows people to enjoy a luxury western experience. To create this experience, guest ranches hire all types of seasonal workers from wranglers to housekeepers. I worked on a guest ranch for over a year, and I learned a lot about the ins and outs of working in this industry. To help you get a job and understand what it’s like, this post will tell you everything you need to know about working on a guest ranch.
Table of Contents
About Guest Ranching
What is a guest ranch
A guest ranch is a resort style business that offers western vacation(s)/experience(s) for guests. These experiences are generally all-inclusive and therefore the accommodation, food & beverages, and most activities are included in the stay.
Guest ranch V.S. dude ranch
A guest ranch is the same thing as a dude ranch. The term “dude ranch” originally comes from what they used to call ranches that hosted “city dwellers” (aka: “dudes”). While the term is still used today it is dying out as it has negative connotations associated with it. However, you will still hear it used interchangeably with the term “guest ranch.”
Guest ranch V.S. working ranch
There are lots of differences between a guest ranch and a working ranch, but the easiest way to think about it is the goal of each ranch. The goal of a guest ranch is to provide a western experience/vacation for the guests/tourists that are staying on property. The goal of a working ranch is to produce and export a product such as, livestock, dairy, crops, etc… One is part of the hospitality industry and the other is part of the agricultural production industry.
The guest ranching season
The guest ranch season differs by ranch. Many guest ranches only operate in the summer, but some are open year-round. A lot will offer both summer and winter stays, but will close down in the spring and fall, during their shoulder season. Operating dates usually depend on the type of experience these ranches are looking to provide their guests and what type of weather the seasons bring to help them do so.
Off season / The muddy season
The majority of guest ranches that are located in mountain regions will shut down during their “off season” or “muddy season.” This is when ranches are unable to create a good experience due to bad weather. It also allows them to prepare and train their staff for the next season.
During this time, many seasonal ranch workers will find seasonal jobs elsewhere. Some workers stay during the off season to help keep things running, so there are limited jobs available during this time.
Guest ranch locations in the USA
The majority of guest ranches are located in the Western United States and are concentrated in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. However, you can find them in most other states as well. Generally they are up in the mountains or out in the desert and are located far away from civilization.
How a stay at a guest ranch works
The traditional way of running a guest ranch was to have guests stay for the same set length of time. During the summer, everyone would check in on the same day, stay a week, then all check out at the same time 7-nights later. Then the staff would turn over the property and do it all again.
Nowadays, the majority of ranches that still operate this way offer set 6-night stays during the summer. In today’s world, you can find ranches that offer stays at various lengths depending on the time of year.
Guests book an all-inclusive stay that includes lodging, food, most activities, and adult beverages. They will have evening activities offered to them such as; line dancing, bonfire nights, cowboy themed activities, and more. Many ranches are prime destinations for weddings, group retreats, and other events.
Family stays V.S. adult stays
Ranches welcome guests of all ages during family stays (though you will find some ranches that have an age minimum) and offer adult only stays where no children are allowed. As a staff member you can feel the difference between these two types of stays when it comes to the general vibe and volume on the ranch.
Finding a Job on a Guest Ranch
Jobs on a guest ranch
There are tons of different jobs that you can apply for at a guest ranch.
There are tons of hospitality jobs on the hotel/food & beverage side of the business, such as; front desk, reservations, housekeeping, servers, dishwashers, line cooks, kitchen staff, and more. Ranches that offer family stays need kids supervisors or daycare workers. Guest ranches that offer spa services need spa attendants and massage therapists.
A wrangler may be the most known guide job, but there are also other jobs that operate non-horse related activities such as; hiking, fishing, shooting, biking, boating, and more. To help the ranch run smoothly, they need maintenance and ranch hands.
On the more managerial side, ranches need media and marketing specialists, head chefs, event and wedding planners, and various department heads.
Where to find ranch jobs
There are a few different ways to find a job on a guest ranch. You can search for guest ranches and apply directly to the ranch you want to work at via their career page.
You can also search on seasonal work websites. Personally, I reccommend CoolWorks but here is a list of 19 Websites to Find Seasonal Work. Or, you can search ranch work specific websites such as one of these 14 Websites to Find a Job on a Ranch.
Hiring times
Guest ranches begin hiring for their summer season at the end of December and early January. They begin the winter hiring process in July or August. However, due to needing to fill last minute job openings, guest ranches hire staff members year-round. Therefore you should periodically check to see what jobs are available.
Qualifications to work on a guest ranch
The qualifications needed to work on a guest ranch will depend on the job you are applying for. Lots of hospitality related jobs, like housekeeping and serving, will allow for little to no experience. One of the main things they want to see is that you are a people person who can interact with guests and leave a positive impression. Soft skills are important because the goal is to create a great guest experience.
For jobs that require a different skill set, such as a wrangler or activities instructor, you will need to make sure you have experience in this field. Your resume should reflect this experience.
Applying: Resume & video submissions
The application process will look different depending on what job you are applying for. Usually it will be a normal submission of your resume/CV or filling out an application on a specific ranch’s career page. Then you will have one or two interviews.
However, if you are applying for a specialized job, such as a wrangler or an activity guide, it is becoming more and more common to submit a video of you demonstrating your skills.
Application tips
Like any job, when you apply you should make sure your resume is tailored to the job you want. No matter the position you are applying for, be sure to highlight any hospitality experience you have had. If you do not hear back within a week, it is appropriate to reach out to the ranch to see where they are in the application process. If you do this by phone or email, make sure you are professional and throughly explain why you are calling.
Working on a Guest Ranch
A staff member’s main goal
The main goal of every job on a guest ranch is to provide a wonderful and memorable experience for the guests. This means, no matter what your job is, it benefits the people staying on property in some way. Therefore, the expectation is to create a fun, engaging, and warm environment through positive guest interactions and behind the scenes work.
A high standard of service
Guest ranches are all-inclusive, luxury experiences, that advertise a high standard of service delivered to the guests by the staff. This is something that guests expect and your ranch will train you on. It means hard work while keeping a smile on your face and putting your best foot forward everyday. A lot of the time it means going above and beyond.
The season changes the job
As the season changes, so do the operations and tasks of a guest ranch and its staff. Activities change from all-day horse rides to indoor clinics and from hiking to cross country skiing. Tasks and responsibilities change for some jobs. For example, in the summer a ranch hand may work in the fields mending fence lines but in the winter will transition to shoveling snow. If you are working in the kitchen, the type of food you serve may transition from light summer BBQ to hearty winter soups and mac and cheese. The overall feeling of the ranch will shift depending on the season and it can feel like a completely different place.
Guest and staff interactions
The majority of guest ranches want their staff members to form connections with their guests. Staff do this by sitting with guests at meals, engaging with them during activities, remembering their favorite beverages, and making them feel like the ranch is their home away from home. There are a few guest ranches that prefer their staff member’s play a more, “behind the scenes” role and limit their guest interactions. During your interview, make sure to ask about your role’s expectations as it pertains to guest interaction.
The Dress Code
Simply put: It’s a bit like playing a part at Frontierland at Disney World. While some positions, like fine dining, kitchen, or housekeeping, may have a standard, pre-set uniform, the majority of staff are expected to dress in western attire and look like a classic cowboy. This means wearing cowboy hats and boots, blue jeans, plaid shirts, etc…
The specifics of the uniform will vary by department, but you will be expected to look the part. If you work on a ranch where you share meals or attend evening activities with the guests, you will be expected to continue playing the part by dressing in western attire (even on your days off). This attire will be something you will need to buy on your own dime.
Pay & tips
Like most businesses, your paycheck will vary depending on the type of job you have and hours you work. With an entry level job, you will most likely make minimum wage, or less if housing and food is included as part of your compensation. You will either be paid hourly or by monthly salary.
Tipping at a guest ranch can work a couple different ways. Some luxury guest ranches will either automatically include a gratuity charge on the guest’s bill or allow the guest to decide if they would like to leave a tip for the staff upon check out. This tip will then be split among the staff via the proceeding paycheck. When it comes to being handed a cash tip, some ranches allow you to keep it and others will expect you to give it to your manager to be added to the employee tip pool.
Perks of working on a guest ranch
There are lots of perks of working on a guest ranch. One of the best is that, on your off days, you get the chance to join in on most of the activities that your ranch has to offer, such as; horseback riding, hiking, fishing, boating, shooting, etc… Usually, these activities are not cheap to book for yourself but staff get to do this for free.
Other perks of the job are getting to eat some amazing ranch style food, use the workout/spa facilities, attend evening events like dancing or live music, and getting discounts on company merchandise or shops in the area. You are also usually living in an absolutely beautiful area with views that you get to witness and explore every day. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and different ranches offer other perks and opportunities for their staff.
The people you work with
Ranch work is a seasonal job, so you will get the chance to work with people from all over the USA and maybe even from around the world. This means that when it is time to clock out for the day you will find that many workers are not really cowboys. Ranch workers, especially the seasonal staff, come from various backgrounds, and you will find people wildly different from you and/or who you have a lot in common with.
Like most seasonal jobs you will find various levels of workers: the long timers who have been there and will be there long after you have gone, the summer workers who come back every season, the college kids taking on their first seasonal job, the people who pop around from job to job, and various others in many different ages and stages of their lives.
Days and work hours
Several years ago, most ranches needed their staff to work 6/7 days per week. These days, the majority of guest ranch jobs are set at 40 hrs/week, 5/6 days a week. However, like many seasonal jobs, there is a possibility of accumulating overtime, especially during the high season. Some jobs will require you to work more or less and it is important to clarify this exception during your interview process.
Working the holidays
You will work major holidays. Guest ranches offer stays during Christmas, New Years, Valentines’ and Forth of July. More and more ranches are starting to offer Thanksgiving stays. While it is hard for a lot of people to be away from home, holidays on the ranch can be magical. You are the one who works behind the scenes to set everything up, but you will also get to participate in the Christmas feast, New Years’ fireworks, and more.
High season V.S. low season
You will see an increase in the hours you work during the high/busy season. Generally the high season is the summer months from June-August and in the winter it’s Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s day, and Spring Break. Of course, high and low seasons fluctuate from year to year and can change depending on vacation trends. It will also change depending on where your ranch is located, as people plan their stays around the weather.
Living on a Guest Ranch
Staff housing
Depending on your ranch and your role, housing may be free. Or, they may offer employee housing at a subsidized rate and take a facilities/room & board fee from your paycheck each week. The type of staff housing will vary depending on what accommodations your ranch offers. Some ranches have bunkhouse style dorms, small cabins, or repurposed houses. Most likely you will have one or more roommates and share bathroom and living facilities. They will have laundry on-site and sometimes a small kitchen available for you to cook.
You work with the same people you live with
You will see and interact with the same people during your shift, after you clock out for the day, during your off time, and basically 24/7. This means creating some great friendships but can also be frustrating as you will be engaging with the exact same people day in and day out. Everyone pretty much knows everyone’s business and little frustrations can add up. Do what you can to form lasting friendships but don’t forget to take some time to yourself.
The food
On a guest ranch, food is provided/part of your compensation. This generally means you get the chance to eat the same amazing food that the guests do. Some ranches will expect you to eat with the guests for certain meals and others will expect you to eat in the staff room. Even on your days off there will be food available to you.
If you eat what the guests do then odds are it will be hearty and rich foods that are not always the healthiest option. It might be beneficial to buy some of your own groceries if you have the means to cook on your own. Allergies and food preferences can be hard to compensate for on some ranches, so make sure you are able to get enough food to keep you energized and sated.
Cell phone service
You will most likely be living in the boondocks so don’t expect your cell service to be super strong. At some locations only certain providers will work, and ranches will have pockets of dead zones throughout their property. Always check to see what type of service/cell provider work at the ranch you are going to and if wifi is provided.
Driving
Since you are living on property you should not need a vehicle to get to work. However, most guest ranches are out in the mountains and do not have ways of getting you into town on your days off or off property when you need a break. Thus, if you can bring a car, it will come in handy. Most guest ranches have free staff parking. If you end up working in the winter among the mountains, make sure you have a vehicle that can drive in the snow!
Pros of living on a guest ranch
Guest ranches are located in some absolutely breathtaking places in the USA. A lot of these places are expensive to visit and even more so to live. As a staff member you get to live in these locations for a full season, for free. This means access to hiking trails, wildlife, and many outdoor activities. It also means saving money on rent.
Cons of living on a guest ranch
You are going to be living and working with the same people 24/7. Because of this, and the fact that you are living on the ranch, it can be hard to get away from the ranch bubble. There will be days you won’t be able to get into town because of the weather or are feeling too lazy to drive the hour into town to get off ranch.
Depending on your accommodations, the structure of the housing, or how many roommates you have, it may not feel worth the money you are saving. It’s world different from living on your own and feels a lot like a college dorm situation.
Tips for Working on a Guest Ranch
Not all ranches are created equal
I can’t stress this enough; every guest ranch has it’s own vibe, staff expectations, perks, and management. This means that while there are general similarities, all guest ranches differ in their own ways and have their own pros and cons. I have friends who have worked at ranches that they hated for various reasons but love the ranch they work at now. If you don’t find the one you love on the first try, you can always leave and find a new one because it’s a seasonal job.
Utilize second hand shops & discounts
Accumulating western style attire can start to get expensive, especially if you are shopping at the shops downtown. If you find the nearest thrift shops in your area and check them out once a week, you can start to create a closet full of western wear that doesn’t cost you your entire paycheck. Some stores in town might also offer discounts to ranch workers so be sure to ask your manager which ones do.
You can work your way up
If you want a specific job at a ranch but do not currently qualify, or it is already full, you can get a job at that ranch and then ask if you can either cross train or move over to that department the following season. I have several friends that started in dining services and moved over to kid supervisors the following season because they got first dibs on summer work.
Another friend of mine started guest ranching with no experience. She started by working in the office and spent her free time riding and learning from the wranglers and became a wrangler a year later.
This is not Yellowstone
A lot of people romanticize the ranch lifestyle and expect it to be like the TV show Yellowstone. This is far from the truth, and while the location you will work at will be breathtaking, the lifestyle is a bit more mundane than you may expect.
Of course, you can romanticizes your time working on a guest ranch if you have the right mindset (i.e. take in the amazing views, spend nights out line dancing, go horseback riding through gorgeous mountains on your days off, etc…) Just remember you are working a job, so the majority of the time may be less glamours than you think.
Don’t skip activities
After a long week of work it can be really easy to want to skip the staff event or say you’ll go riding next week. If you are just working for one season then that is all you get and it goes faster than you think. Utilize the perks and experiences that are available to you while you can, even if you have no one to go with. This will make your ranch experience all the better.
Get off ranch
Your ranch is your community. Everyone knows everyone and it can feel like you are living in a bubble. The ability to step outside the ranch world by getting off properly during your days off, or having someone you can talk about non-ranch related topics with, will help you keep a healthy work/life balance and peace of mind.
Keep and eye on your budget
You can save money working on a ranch. However, it can be easy to spend money too. The closest towns are probably expensive tourist towns that you will want to go out and explore, which means spending money on meals and souvenirs. You may fall in love with the western style and keep shelling out money for new cowboy boots and hats. Do yourself a favor and set a budget for yourself so that you do not overspend on your days off.
Conclusion
After working for over a year on a guest ranch, I learned a lot about what it’s like in the industry. While not every ranch is created equal, I have no doubt you can find a ranch that fits your needs and expectations. Have you worked on a guest ranch before? Did I miss anything you want to include? Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
