Sue went on to tell us how the Hunewills match people with appropriate horses, and treat each guest with kindness and respect while teaching horsemanship. Hunewill Ranch, P.O. Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517. P. O. Our guests move 600 hundred head of cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California to our winter ranch in Smith Valley, Nevada. Please see our partners for more details. Being with Stan and Jan Hunewill is like being in a real-life Bonanza setting on the Ponderosa with Ben Cartwright and his three sons. Elmo was mine for the week. Hunewill Ranch - California, USA 26- 30 May 2020 Spring Cattle drive Work cattle in Bridgeport and at our Smith Valley, Nevada ranch with Hunewill family members. The Hunewill Ranch offers four- to seven-day vacations ranging from family gatherings to ladies or adults only, for a maximum of 60 guests in 24 comfortable cabins. Sorry, no reviews or feedback have yet been accepted to this item. A reputation of lawlessness was earned as a result of the many gunfights, robberies and other crimes that went unchecked, Riding through Bodie. Our playground is very popular with children of many ages. The ranch has become intertwined with many guests family history. Hunewill Ranch is home to the best horseback riding vacations in California. With a temperate climate year-round and ever-changing seasonal activities, any time of year is the perfect time to visit. Ride with the Hunewill family for five days, covering sixty miles from Bridgeport, California to Smith Valley, Nevada herding 600 cows as they are driven to their winter range. The Autumn Cattle Gather in November is highly recommended for those who enjoy long days in the saddle.Safe to say, the main attraction is the horseback riding. I did not ride but my daughter did and she loved it - including the all-day ride option on Wednesday where she got to see even more fantastic scenery. The sixth generation Hunewill children welcome and play with children of guests as though they were long lost cousins who have finally arrived. Stays include food and. You can then send them to us to obtain a quotation or register and save them to look at again at a later date. I had ridden at a Montana guest ranch several years ago and was looking for a similar experience in California. 2011 is the 150th year as a catt Experience the Cowboy Side of California on this 20,000 acre cattle ranch. The lumber business proved to be more successful. After a dinner of roast beef, a brief orientation on horse basics and safety tips was held in the barn, concluded by dessert. There was square dancing, which, at 6500 feet, can be a cardiovascular workout. P. O. in 1880. Our popular Fall Color Ride is for equestrians of any riding ability who want to ride into the Sierra backcountry to enjoy the aspen trees in all their blazing glory. Marble Mountain Ranch (Somes Bar, California). Privacy Policy. Horses spend the night in a large field and in the morning are driven into a corner and then surrounded by a cowboy . Copyright 2023 | Hunewill Guest Ranch - All Rights Reserved Around 25 guests saddle up in November with Megan Hunewill and her family from Hunewill Guest Ranch to drive around 600 mother cows through canyons surrounded by dramatic tall mountains, along the Walker River, to their ranch in Smith Valley's wide open sagebrush and high desert terrain. The Hunewills have been at the Bridgeport ranch for 150 years. Whether you are looking to escape to wine country or cowboy country, the Dude Ranchers Association has 6 great dude ranch options to choose from in California! Dressed in 19th century hoop skirts for a more historical feel, the Hunewill women recount the early history of Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill. I dreamed of having a real cowboy experience. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We have 13 dude ranches in Arizona, 27 dude ranches in Colorado, 20 guest ranches in Montana, 17 guest ranches in Wyoming, 4 dude ranches in Texas and many more! Jan Hunewill related how she "came onto the scene" in the 1950s when she visited the guest ranch, then got a summer job there and eventually married the owners' son. The cattle drive puts you back in the Old West, driving cows over stock trails that have been in use since the 1860's. www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. The cabins were comfortable although fairly basic, the food, which included 3 meals daily was excellent - esp. Breakfast was hearty, lunch was always hot and the coffee was great. All rights reserved. Like many real, working cattle drives, you must be an intermediate to advanced rider to participate, capable of loping out to catch a cow or cows that try to make a break. envelops 20,000 acres of the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of California. For the best deals on travel insurance, be sure to use the DRAs preferred provider! Member of the Dude Ranchers' Association is a guest ranch in Californias Lost Sierra. The ranch has sufficient land to enable you to walk, trot and canter in the wide open spaces of Bridgeport Valley.There are occasions when the day rides venture up into the nearby mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial lakes and spectacular scenery. We get really close with these people were riding with for 10 to 12 hours a day. Tucson's White Stallion Ranch in summer; Growing up horseback on the Carver family cattle drive. The signature all-inclusive saddle and paddle or raft and ride vacation join the superb dining experience and our youth buckaroo program to create the best and most complete family dude ranch vacation. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Those were strong words coming from a woman who teaches horsemanship to young children. For more information and to book a horseback adventure, visit hunewillranch.com and follow them on Instagram @hunewill.ranch In the evening twilight, we watched children walk along the top rail of a corral, arms outstretched for balance as though they were circus performers. She was having a great time working on the ranch, because everyone, including guests, were so friendly. Hunewill Guest Ranch And last, but certainly not least, is Betsy and her husband, Jon Elliot. Parents are amazed by all the clean outdoor fun that kids find here. Most of the buildings are in a state of arrested decay, preserving the look as they existed when the residents lived there. Rain On The Sage is a book of poetry co-authored by Hunewill employees, guests, and a Hunewill friend/neighbor, Ken Gardner. There, N.B. The ranch has provided a critical home for the rare Bi-State Sage Grouse, as well as mule deer migration. The level of riding offered by the Hunewill will depend on the week that you visit. This place is a REAL cattle ranch with REAL working horses. Denise and Bayan leading the last stretch to the winter Hunewill Ranch in Smith Valley OK cows, now go into this final corral. The Hunewills mean it. We include the flights, hotels, ranch stay, car hire, transfer arrangements where we can and anything else you may require. Family run working cattle ranch since 1861, located in the Eastern Sierra town of Bridgeport, CA. The ranch does not provide alcohol but my table mates brought wine. and Esthers son, Frank, married a young woman named Alice. Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill's ancestors were French Huguenots from Alsace-Lorraine. It was during this time, at Lenores urging, the couple decided to try guest ranching along with their working cattle business. . I was envious of the others who were staying for two more days. We continually update the Equitrekking Travel Deals page and blast it out first in Equitrekking's free monthly e-newsletter. Hunewill Ranch History They have a busy calendar of events for every week of their opening season, stays are of different lengths - 3, 4 5 and 7 nights depending on when you choose to stay. In the spring we have cattle on our Nevada and California ranches so guests work cattle at both locations. My room was just what I needed. At night, the valley laid under a canopy of stars streaked with a ribbon of Milky Way. View Map. The meadows rides are just as depicted on their website. After several cups of coffee, breakfast and a dose of ibuprofen, the aches dissipated. Hunewill Guest Ranch 2,590 were here. from Buckeye Canyon and was delivered by an oxen-drawn lumber wagon. An added bonus is the beautiful fall lighting and the glow of autumn colors. Horseback riding is the premier attraction at the Hunewill Ranch with genuine Californian cattle roundups. Enjoy discounts on riding holidays and bargains on cattle drives and riding vacations. I am also into fishing and there are great opportunities within a few miles of the ranch. Hunewill Ranch offers a glimpse of a lifestyle that few of us see and appreciate. A secluded jewel tucked into Californias famed Santa Ynez Valley; this 10,000-acre ranch melds the spirit of the Old West with the seductive charms of todays most relaxing resorts. You can't find a better vacation. This underlying thread of respect, acceptance, and welcoming spirit is alive and well in the sixth generation of todays Hunewill family. Photo credit: Dwayne Leonard. Well happily attest to the fact that her chocolate-chip cookies are superb! You'll love riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks. They sit at an elevation of 6500 feet just east of Yosemite Park in the Bridgeport Valley of California. Much to our delight, one of N.B.s ox carts was displayed on ranch property. Los Angeles is a 6 hour drive to Bridgeport. Some of the jobs youll do include moving cows, parting cows from the herd, and preparing cattle for shipping to summer pastures. We just went there for the 20th year in a row. Badger Creek Ranch. At the Double Rafter Ranch, visitors aren't pampered or coddled in any way, and they are given the chance to participate in a cattle drive just as it would have been conducted back in the 1880s. As we motored past the Hunewill Ranch, it seemed quietly in mourning as a result of Sallie's passing. During your stay you will be able to enjoy their tasty Rankin Ranch beef. Later, we discovered that one happy vocalist was the doctor whod met his wife on the November cattle drive. Need more ideas? All the other guests had been coming to the ranch for years so were well used to everything the ranch and the immediate area had to offer, but we were seeing things for the first time. Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517 Phone: (760) 932-7710 Bodie was a small mining town at the time, but would later become a California boomtown, complete with a red light district. She and her son, Jay, are both employed by the Hunewills, but dont feel like employees. All rooms are non-smoking areas. I couldnt have asked for a better horse. The Hunewill family is not shy about displaying their talents as well. The ranch has been family owned and operated since 1861. 20.8 miles from Hunewill Ranch Free parking Restaurant West Walker Motel View Hotel 60 reviews 23.2 miles from Hunewill Ranch Free Wifi Free parking View more hotels in Bridgeport Value Location Sleep Quality Rooms Cleanliness Service Trip type: Traveled with friends Value Sleep Quality Rooms Cleanliness Trip type: Traveled solo Value Location Whether you are a novice or advanced rider, there will be a mount to suit you. After a few days I felt confident enough to go on an all day cattle drive - AMAZING - can't wait to do it again. He hauled granite rocks from the nearby foothills to build the cellar and two-foot-high foundation. Home > United States > Bridgeport, CA > . Stan and Jan Hunewill manage the ranch along with their grown children, Betsy, Jeff and Megan. In 1872, N.B. Ideal for those looking for a working cattle ranch experience. I would love to thank the staff, family and other quest for all their . Wranglers and Greenhorns break bread at the same table. We had arrived for a 5-day stay at Hunewill Ranch, one of the oldest family owned ranches in California, founded in 1880. The Hardy Quarter Horses of Namibia Breed Profile, Where to Ride in 2019: Droolworthy Riding Vacations, Horse Lovers Vacation at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Hunewill Ranch Vacation & Cattle Drives in California. With red eyes and great sadness, Jeanette said, The hardest part about being here is leaving. Shed just taken her last ride and put her horse away. Though her family still holds fast to these traditions, they are a rarity. A good way to go. We picked Hunewill because it is a working cattle ranch and everything is geared around trail riding and cattle drives. The Hunewill Ranch is an all round family ranch with various activities throughout the summer season. Our Buckaroo Ride is a special program that includes games on horseback, lots of instruction, swim rides, searching for obsidian chips, and many hours of confidence-building time in the saddle. The beautiful scenery and the tradition of the cattle drive combine to give our guests the experience of a lifetime. Wonderful riding, incredible hospitality from the same family that had run the ranch for more than 100 years. There is world class trout fishing in the nearby East Walker River and in the many lakes and streams in the adjacent Toiyabe National Forest. The wranglers were all extremely professional and attentive, and that made the riding even more pleasant for my daughter. Hunewill Guest Ranch is located in California on the eastern slope of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains bordering Yosemite National Park. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Many of the buildings interiors are furnished and stocked with period artifacts, giving a glimpse of life back then. by Darley Newman There are "City Slickers" type cattle drives put on for tourists. Photo credit: Dwayne Leonard. The guest ranch has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over 55 years. He built a beautiful, gracious home designed to last a long time. During the depression years, cattle prices were very low. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lodging, and ranch activities. bought meadowland to graze his oxen; he also acquired some cattle. I guess we will keep going there until we are too old to ride. Ride with the Hunewill family for ve days, covering sixty miles from Bridgeport, California to Smith Valley, Nevada herding 800 cows as they are driven to their winter range. Six generations of Rankins have lived and worked on our 31,000-acre cattle ranch. This is a week-long extravaganza of high mountain cattle gathering and moving. The morning air felt like the beginning of winter. The V6 Ranch sits just down the road from the tiny town of Parkfield, population 18, and is conveniently located just a four-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cattle Drives at Hunewill Ranch As our guest, you can participate in the timeless traditional ranch life of the American West. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. The ranch was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill, who came to California from Maine, lured by gold prospecting. The horses are their partners and horsemanship is the main focus. Hunewill is a working cattle and guest ranch with 1,200 head of cattle, 190 horses, and an assortment of goats, llamas, and sheep. Tel: 01798 865946 Email: americanroundup@frontier-travel.co.uk. He found a promising location around Buckeye and Robinson Canyons. You'll stay in comfortable cottages near the horse pasture; allowing you to watch the horses come thundering in early each morning. After a satisfying day with the herd you will return each night to the ranch for a hot meal and a warm bed. Kindness, respect, patience, work ethic, and a sense of humor prevail. The Annual Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive in November is for serious intermediate-to-advanced riders. You will arrive at the ranch on Tuesday for dinner, ride Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and leave Saturday after breakfast. There is something for everyone at the ranch, whether you come with your family, friends, or on your own. Like many ranches suffering the financial woes of the Great Depression, the Hunewill family decided to take in guests to supplement their income in the 1930s and theyve been taking in guests ever since. Rankin Ranch has been a working cattle ranch since 1863. Recommended Reviews During its mining boom, the population swelled to 8,500 and more than 2,000 buildings. ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH OUR HUNEWILL FAMILY, Remote and scenic, good food, great experience. Children of former employees and guests come back to the ranch to work. Laura Deck spends a week on a rural California cattle drive that's been an annual tradition for more than a century. While we visited with him, he quickly and casually drew us a picture of an Indian mounted on horseback. What is a ranch vacation without herding cattle? Getting them to go through an open gate was another. The Welcome Home rock rings true. All inclusive stays of various lengths feature amazing horseback riding, great meals, cozy cabins, and . 01798 865946 TX Ranch Cattle Drives on the border of Wyoming and Montana. Those who want more cattle work should try one of the following stays; Spring Cattle Work, Fall Cattle Work, Big Fall Cattle Gather, or Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive in November.