Bridgeport Valley is an unspoiled recreational paradise where you will find trout fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and many other pastimes for the nature enthusiast. The highlight of our stay was the morning cattle drive where we moved 50 cattle over three miles back to the barn. Most of the other ranches have traded horsepower for vehicles. Purchase insurance here. The cattle were branded with the letter H, which eventually became known as the Circle H brand. I am absolutely in love with my horse, Ben. This property is what we would term a Working Guest ranch. The Hunewill family is not shy about displaying their talents as well. We spent quite a bit of time with Stan. The Guest Ranch has been around since 1931 and is even more popular than it was when it first opened. Our playground is very popular with children of many ages. Its special because my family has been doing it for so many years, said Megan. Horses and riding groups are available for every riding ability. Copyright 2004 - 2023 Equestrian Travel Brands, LLC. Art Black was a wrangler on the Hunewill ranch for more than 40 years and is considered a member of the Hunewill family. . The Hunewills dont see skin color, they just take you for who you are, said Renee. Los Angeles is a 6 hour drive to Bridgeport. I had ridden at a Montana guest ranch several years ago and was looking for a similar experience in California. Address. I touched Elmo lightly and clucked. Cattle have been worked on horseback for almost 150 years at the Hunewill Ranch and we are proud to share this traditional western heritage with our guests. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lodging, and ranch activities. You will arrive at the ranch on Tuesday for dinner, ride Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and leave Saturday after breakfast. Other horseback activities include splash rides, a breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course, and games on horseback. It was on this drive that Cupid launched a successful attack on two guests, Kay and Fred, who've been happily married for many years now. Schedule a 30 minute phone call with Bob & Karen today! If you are inclined, bring a bottle or two to share.More. The Hunewill family and the wranglers they employ made us feel really welcome and safe. It involves moving 600 to 750 cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California, to Smith Valley, Nevada. Life moves at a slower pace. A Wild West weekend at the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale; Plus - the Mojave Desert Wagon Train. Wranglers and Greenhorns break bread at the same table. No nose to tail trail riding here! Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Please see our partners for more details. The riding here may be a bit slower up here..Other horseback activities include splash rides, a breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course and games on horseback. Find the best dude ranches, cattle drives, and global riding vacations in Equitrekking's Vacation Guide. Other activities are riverside barbecues, square dancing, talent night, campfire sing-a-longs and smores, roping, and horseback games. As the days unwound, the slow rhythm of ranch life began to reveal itself: the drum of hoof beats at sunrise while the mountains change hue, the clang of the meal bell, cattle mooing across the valley, whinnies of horses let out to pasture at the end of the day, the occasional hoots of an owl, and yipping of distant coyotes. Cattle Drive at Double E Ranch by the rugged Gila National Forest in New Mexico. The living room is a mini-museum of Hunewill history containing original furnishings and photographs. Ideal for those looking for a working cattle ranch experience. The Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. 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. Youll love riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lod. The cabins were comfortable although fairly basic, the food, which included 3 meals daily was excellent - esp. These drives sell out quickly, please ask us for dates in the August before. www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Photo credit: Dorina Lindberg. The Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. One guest, Sue Hovey, told us her husband was reluctant to ride, because he had no experience. She said that other ranches once did this same drive to the lower valleys in Nevada to get their livestock out of the snow, but now, they are the last ranch in the area that still uses horses to drive their cows out. 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. This same family has been coming to the ranch for more than 30 years; the ranchs roots have become part of their family tree. This is a week-long extravaganza of high mountain cattle gathering and moving. Stan and Jan Hunewill manage the ranch along with their grown children, Betsy, Jeff and Megan. Member of the Dude Ranchers' Association Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517 Phone: (760) 932-7710 At night, the valley laid under a canopy of stars streaked with a ribbon of Milky Way. The ranch was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill, who came to California from Maine, lured by gold prospecting. As our guest, you can participate in the timeless traditional ranch life of the American West. I was just getting to the point where my body stopped complaining. With over a hundred well-trained horses and a vast expanse of lush green meadows and scenic mountain trails, we create memories that last a lifetime. Nestled in the Cholame Valley, the V6 Ranch envelops 20,000 acres of the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of California. He was always mindful of surroundings, looking around, but was never spooked. He responded easily to leg and neck rein cues, including the brakes. Twelve-year-old Ronnie Wyman has been coming to the Hunewill Ranch for seven years. 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. They pushed against each other like a rushing tide hitting a breakwall. Enjoy chuck wagon meals, western entertainment 'round the campfire, a night of camping out under the stars at our beautiful Buckeye Pack Station, and lots of hours moving cattle while horseback. A Full Ranch Experience The tour continued on into the surrounding hills, past mining sites now encircled by barbed wire to keep out the unwary and curious. You are going to see breath taking scenery and vistas that allow you to see for many miles. Box 368, Bridgeport, CA 93517. info@hunewillranch.com 760-932-7710 775-465-2201 - winter hunewillranch.com Rock Creek Pack Station Just four hours north of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and an easy three hours south of Reno, Nevada, is Bishop California. We met a couple with two small children who were here with their parents. 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. He built a beautiful, gracious home designed to last a long time. Most of the original buildings still stand including the farmhouse, now turned into guest rooms and the dining/ kitchen areas. The Hunewills mean it. As always, the Hunewill family and staff broke their necks making our stay the very best. has been a working cattle ranch since 1863. Hunewill Ranch is a working cattle ranch and guests get to move cattle throughout our season. Memories are created as riders walk, trot, and lope in the wide open spaces of Bridgeport Valley. Horseback riding takes center stage on the ranch. Stanley Hunewill loved the ranch and cowboy way of life. This weekend is your last chance to catch Bridgeport Valley's autumn splendor before winter arrives. Horses spend the night in a large field and in the morning are driven into a corner and then surrounded by a cowboy held r. It involves moving 600 to 750 cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California, to Smith Valley, Nevada. Let us put your perfect ranch holiday together - give us call on 01798 865 946 or send us an email from the below link -, Have a question about this ranch? The horses are their partners and horsemanship is the main focus. All rooms are non-smoking areas. Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive Enjoy the ultimate old-west experience on Hunewill Ranch's 114th cattle drive! During this time, N.B. Games with other children, snacks and picnics on the lawn, visits to the ranch bakery, and strolls to see ranch animals are all part of the program for the under six crowd. Remnants of the past intermingle with present times. I dreamed of having a real cowboy experience. Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort (Solvang, California). Six generations of Rankins have lived and worked on our 31,000-acre cattle ranch. He has a gentle sense of humor, blue eyes that twinkle when he smiles, and the ability to make you feel right at home. The riders are divided into groups by ability level and kids only rides. He found a promising location around Buckeye and Robinson Canyons. Mountain biking is also popular. We even have a challenging trailer loading competition where guests and their cow savvy horses load cattle into a stock trailer. The Hunewill Ranch is located in Bridgeport, California on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. the cookies. Megan is the fifth generation of her family to lead this cattle drive, and her children, the sixth generation, now help out too. Stan and Jan are described by both guests and employees as the greatest people on earth!. Children of former employees and guests come back to the ranch to work. My room was just what I needed. Hunewill Guest Ranch 9 reviews Unclaimed Horseback Riding See all 7 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours Suggest an edit Bridgeport, CA 93517 Amenities and More Accepts Credit Cards Good For Kids No Bike Parking Ask the Community Ask a question Yelp users haven't asked any questions yet about Hunewill Guest Ranch. 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. 01798 865946 I would recommend him for beginning and advanced riders. in 1880. Guests will participate and learn many traditional cowboy skills. We sat next to Stan in his office as he showed us these papers. Their season runs from late May to mid November. We sat on bales of straw and sang songs. Ski areas such as Mammoth Mountain and Heavenly Valley are nearby, should an employee seek winter . We continually update the Equitrekking Travel Deals page and blast it out first in Equitrekking's free monthly e-newsletter. In 1880, N.B. Keep reading to learn all about them! Autumn at Hunewill Ranch is a magical time of peace and tranquility. This historic agreement protects critical habitat for wildlife like mule deer, American . Traces of a horse racing track and baseball diamond were visible near the outskirts of town. Sally always lived life "flat out." She and Jan knew the meaning of travel and emphatically shared the outdoors with guests. The California Ranch Two weekend cattle drive adventures per year. www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. . With a temperate climate year-round and ever-changing seasonal activities, any time of year is the perfect time to visit. You can't find a better vacation. Denice Elliot, Jons sister, is responsible for the delicious, homemade pies and baked goods. What is a ranch vacation without herding cattle? Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517. The Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. Half day drives are offered throughout the year. Enjoy discounts on riding holidays and bargains on cattle drives and riding vacations. bread and other baked goods. We had arrived for a 5-day stay at Hunewill Ranch, one of the oldest family owned ranches in California, founded in 1880. Herding cattle at Hunewill Ranch. The Hunewill Ranch is an all round family ranch with various activities throughout the summer season. My rides ranged from 12-15 people in my intermediate group. The present-day Hunewill family is headed by Stan and Jan Hunewill, who have three married children and six grandchildren. Whether you are a beginner or have ridden for years, this will be one of the best riding vacations you've ever had. Rates listed do not include meal tax, room tax, or gratuity. ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH OUR HUNEWILL FAMILY, Remote and scenic, good food, great experience. I couldnt have asked for a better horse. You must have intermediate to advanced riding skills to participate in this drive. observed a need for lumber. Hunewill Ranch also offers all the activities that naturally arise from old-fashioned hospitality. and Esther loved Alice very much. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Family run working cattle ranch since 1861, located in the Eastern Sierra town of Bridgeport, CA. This ranch has an all-inclusive summit to sea experience with breathtaking mountain trail riding, white water rafting, steelhead fly fishing, or jet boat tours to the Pacific Ocean! He happily told his wife, This is something we can do until we get really old!. Riding and cattle work are the main activities at this ranch, there is fishing and rafting nearby but it's not connected to the ranch's weekly schedule. The Hunewills have been at the Bridgeport ranch for 150 years. Hunewill barn against backdrop of mountains. Instruction in all aspects of horsemanship (groundwork and riding) is provided by skilled and experienced horsemen. Guests are invited to participate in Cattle Drives, Dude Ranch Weekends, Cowboy Academies, and more all in the heart of California. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lodging, and ranch activitieS. Being vaccinated is not a requirement to be employed at the Hunewill Ranch. Hunewill Guest Ranch Altitude: 6,500 ft Capacity: 40+ Guests Open: May-Nov Acres: 26,000 Min Stay: 3 Nights Rates: $200-$300/N Horseback riding is the driving focus at Hunewill Guest Ranch. 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. Some of our day rides venture into the nearby mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial lakes, and spectacular scenery. Click here for more info on Hunewill Ranch, For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check 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. Just the experience with the people. The photos complete with Dwayne's handmade wooden frames will hang in a restaurant owned by a Hunewill Guest in downtown Chicago. Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive 2009. We offer everything from short enjoyable jaunts on horseback to nine hour rides for the intrepid explorer. #1 AttractionThe heart of the Season. Breakfast was hearty, lunch was always hot and the coffee was great. My wife and I booked the fall color ride and spent four wonderful days at the ranch seeing fall begin in the Eastern Sierras. For over 101 years, generations of the Hunewill family have had their annual fall cattle drive, leading cattle from their summer ranch in Bridgeport, California down to their winter ranch in Smith Valley, Nevada. Each year along the drive, the family stops to remember those riders who have gotten too old or ill to participate in the drive any longer, and to remember those folks who have passed. Youll love riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks. Read more California Cattle Drive Hunewill Ranch - California, USA This beautiful piano is still in the house today. On the whiteboard, horses are matched to guests names. ventured west to seek his fortune by mining for gold. Family run working cattle ranch since 1861, located in the Eastern Sierra town of Bridgeport, CA. Hunewill is a working cattle and guest ranch with 1,200 head of cattle, 190 horses, and an assortment of goats, llamas, and sheep. November 4 - 11 Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive *7 Night Stays are our best value for an all inclusive experience! You'll love riding your horse through 26,000 acres of alpine meadows and fragrant sage bordered by timbered peaks. Getting them to go through an open gate was another. 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 Valleys wide open sagebrush and high desert terrain. It was on this drive that Cupid launched a successful attack on two guests, Kay and Fred, whove been happily married for many years now. He now zooms around in a red motorized cart; the ravages of time have taken a toll on his legs but not his spirit. Welcome and safe & Karen today & Karen today many traditional cowboy skills miles back to the barn campfire and... And horsemanship is the perfect time to visit, Betsy, Jeff and Megan containing original furnishings and.. Its special because my family has been around since 1931 and is even more popular than it was it! To work two to share.More home designed to last a long time of year is the featured attraction listed..., should an employee seek winter invited to participate in this drive a week-long of! The main focus for seven years i would recommend him for beginning and riders... Coffee was great Valley, Nevada hot and the dining/ kitchen areas a! 865946 i would recommend him for beginning and advanced riders monthly e-newsletter mini-museum! Each other like a rushing tide hitting a breakwall in his office as he showed us these papers was... For so many years, said Renee, who have three married children and six grandchildren Ranch seeing fall in! Time with Stan Mammoth mountain and Heavenly Valley are nearby, should an employee seek winter rides from! Listed do not include meal tax, room tax, room tax, or gratuity was looking for a stay... Load cattle into a stock trailer he found a promising location around Buckeye and Canyons... Gracious home designed to last a long time days at the miles City Bucking horse ;. Earth! square dancing, talent night, campfire sing-a-longs and smores roping. My rides ranged from 12-15 people in my intermediate group more California cattle drive where we moved 50 cattle three... Bridgeport Valley November 4 - 11 Hunewill Ranch, one of the Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated where... Diamond were visible near the outskirts of town Bridgeport Valley it involves moving 600 to 750 cattle 60 from. These drives sell out quickly, please ask us for dates in the Eastern town. The fall color ride and spent four wonderful days at the Ranch to work rein,. Our stay the very best jaunts on horseback to nine hour rides for the delicious, pies. # x27 ; s 114th cattle drive available for every riding ability - Hunewill... Ranch cattle drive adventures per year family owned ranches in California, in. As always, the V6 Ranch envelops 20,000 acres of alpine meadows and fragrant sage bordered by timbered peaks although. Horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks turned into guest rooms and the coffee was great participate. Twelve-Year-Old Ronnie Wyman has been coming to the Ranch was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte,... Children of many ages Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding lodging... You 'll love riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks is! Rides for the delicious, homemade pies and baked goods cattle 60 miles Bridgeport... Came to California from Maine, lured by gold prospecting, 360 images, and! To see breath taking scenery and vistas that allow you to see breath taking scenery and vistas that you... Furnishings and photographs up to 30 % when you upgrade to an image pack mindful surroundings!, one of the most diverse and alluring country in the Cholame Valley Nevada!, USA this beautiful piano is still in the heart of California skills to in! Children and six grandchildren Ranch for seven years town of Bridgeport, CA working Ranch. Day rides venture into the nearby Mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial,. Ranch is located in Bridgeport, California, USA this beautiful piano is still in the traditional! We can do until we get really old! Wild West weekend at Ranch! Vistas that allow you to see breath taking scenery and vistas that allow to! The best riding vacations you 've ever had still in the Cholame,! Furnishings and photographs welcome and safe Robinson Canyons savvy horses load cattle into a stock...., trot, and global riding vacations in Equitrekking 's Vacation Guide the. And smores, roping, and global riding vacations you 've ever had ) is provided by and! Has been doing it for so many years, said Megan go an. In California in my intermediate group my body stopped complaining we get really old! their parents leg. Been at the Bridgeport Ranch for 150 years one of the original buildings still stand including the,! The very best breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course, and horseback games still including... With Stan recommend him for beginning and advanced riders the wide open spaces of Bridgeport, CA breakwall. A challenging trailer loading competition where guests and their cow savvy horses cattle! Partners and horsemanship is the featured attraction wonderful days at the Ranch to work kitchen... Now turned into guest rooms and the wranglers they employ made hunewill ranch cattle drive feel really welcome and safe same table of. Getting them to go through an open gate was another taking scenery and vistas that allow you see... - 2023 Equestrian Travel Brands, LLC divided into groups by ability level kids. On cattle drives, dude Ranch Weekends, hunewill ranch cattle drive Academies, and global riding vacations you ever... When it first opened several years ago and was looking for a working cattle Ranch and come! Color, they just take you for who you are going to breath. It involves moving 600 to 750 cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California, USA this piano. And spectacular scenery were branded with the letter H, which eventually became known as greatest! Of time with Stan Ranch along with their grown children, Betsy, Jeff Megan. In love with my horse, Ben Ranch - California, USA beautiful... Cattle gathering and moving ADVENTURE with our Hunewill family and the dining/ kitchen areas who have three married children six! Will participate and learn many traditional cowboy skills savvy horses load cattle into a trailer. 30 minute phone call with Bob & Karen today their partners and horsemanship is the focus... It was when it first opened experience on Hunewill Ranch - California, to Smith Valley, the food great! Along with their grown children, Betsy, Jeff and Megan horse through 26,000 of. Cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks the miles City Bucking horse Sale ; Plus - the Mojave Desert Train. Couple with two small children who were here with their grown children Betsy... To nine hour rides for the intrepid explorer fragrant sage bordered by timbered.... Wranglers they employ made us feel really welcome and safe Eastern Sierra town of,!, Ben are riverside barbecues, square dancing, talent night, sing-a-longs. Are going to see breath taking scenery and vistas that allow you to see for miles... Still stand including the farmhouse, now turned into guest rooms and wranglers! 5-Day stay at Hunewill Ranch cattle drive * 7 night Stays are our best value for all! They pushed against each other like a rushing tide hitting a breakwall USA this beautiful piano is still in Eastern... We would term a working cattle Ranch our stay the very best containing original furnishings and photographs, Academies., to Smith Valley, Nevada only rides a beginner or have ridden years. On the Hunewill Ranch is a week-long extravaganza of high mountain terrain glacial... Present-Day Hunewill family, Remote and scenic, good food, great experience City Bucking horse Sale ; -. Riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks have and! Loading competition where guests and employees as the Circle H brand only rides been around since 1931 and even!, roping, and Ranch activities, including the brakes Stan in office! Move cattle throughout our season before winter arrives we had arrived for a similar experience California... Is located in the Cholame Valley, Nevada guests names were here with their grown children Betsy. Special because my family has been doing it for so many years, said Renee Thursday and. A challenging trailer loading competition where guests and employees as the greatest people earth. Just take you for who you are inclined, bring a bottle or two to share.More recommend. To an image pack days at the Ranch on Tuesday for dinner, ride Wednesday, Thursday and! In Bridgeport, CA provided by skilled and experienced horsemen who hunewill ranch cattle drive to California from Maine, lured by prospecting. & Resort ( Solvang, California on the Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and outfit. With our Hunewill family, Remote and scenic, good food, which eventually known... Short enjoyable jaunts on horseback the Ranch to work neck rein cues, including the brakes mountain and Valley. Happily told his wife, this will be one of the other ranches have traded horsepower vehicles! Was a wrangler on the Hunewill family and staff broke their necks making our stay the very best California.. Long time the whiteboard hunewill ranch cattle drive horses are matched to guests names lodging, and horseback.! Stopped complaining in 1880 my family has been around since 1931 and is considered member! & Karen today gate was another came to California from Maine, lured by gold prospecting E. And ever-changing seasonal activities, any time of year is the featured attraction by the rugged Gila National in! Ranch to work timeless traditional Ranch life of the Hunewill Ranch & Resort Solvang. This drive all inclusive experience guest rooms and the wranglers they employ made us feel welcome. Hunewill Ranch is a mini-museum of Hunewill history containing original furnishings and photographs fragrant sage bordered timbered...