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Contact Us Toll Free: 1-877-439-4042 Phone: 970-833-3132
Living the Cowgirl Life
Destination: Laramie, Wyoming
| Activities: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Dude Ranch
Tucked away high up near Wyoming's Snowy Mountains is VeeBar Ranch, a historic dude ranch. The ranch is a place of peace and quiet, a retreat that combines time in the outdoors with comfortable lodging and hearty meals at night, away from cell phones. The air is crisp and invigorating, and you find yourself relaxing within minutes of your arrival. You can choose to be busy all day, going for long rides, learning or improving your fly fishing, hiking in this spectacular rugged land, and joining in every activity we offer. Or you can decide to put your feet up on the front porch and read a good book, in between soaking in the hot tub. All these are possible - it's completely up to you! Maximum group size: 16. Maximum horseback rider weight permitted: 265 pounds.
Highlights
- Enjoying the peace and solitude of Vee Bar Ranch
- Riding on well-trained horses through wide open pastures and rugged landscapes
- Walking around the ranch and hiking in the Snowy Mountains
- Enjoying hearty meals in a gorgeous lodge
- Soaking tired muscles at night while gazing at more stars than you ever knew existed
Departures and Prices
| September 04 to September 10, 2022 |
| $3550.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
Inclusions
- An experienced AGC group leader and multiple local guides depending on group size
- 6 nights lodging at Vee Bar Ranch (all in single rooms with shared bathrooms)
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day
- Round trip transportation to/from the airport in Laramie, WY)
- All activities as listed on the itinerary (Flyfishing in the river and off property requires purchasing a state fishing license)
- Customary gratuities (15%) and taxes (6%) for ranch and staff
Not included: Travel to and from Laramie, Wyoming from your place of origin, alcoholic beverages (can be purchased at the ranch), AGC guide gratuities, and travel insurance
Trip Documents
Trip Intro
Maximum horseback rider weight: 265 pounds. We have rated this trip as 1, 2, or 3 because of the wide variety of options available every day. You might choose half-day horseback rides with afternoons spent reading a book or soaking in the hot tub; or you might ride as much as possible each day with fishing and hiking taking up the rest of your time. The level of activity is up to you. For trips that are rated 2, participants should be walking regularly at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes prior to trip beginning. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5.
The main draw for this trip is horseback riding. You will be matched with a horse at the beginning of the week that is appropriate for your level of experience and different levels of rides will be offered. In addition to riding, you can learn the basics of fly fishing and then practice in the nearby river or stocked pond. For women interested in some hiking, the nearby Snowy Mountains offer a variety of well marked hiking trails and a couple of hikes will be offered during the week. There are also opportunities to try your hand at skeet shooting, pasture golf, archery, and horseshoes.
There are two cabins and six 2-bedroom Riverside Suites; everyone will get her own semi private bedroom and share a bathroom. Bedrooms are connected by a common door in the middle of the cabin, with separate entrances. The suites are located on the banks of the Little Laramie River, with a porch that invites you to sit and relax while you watch the river go by. The cabins are more secluded and have a somewhat different layout. Both are described here.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
Each day will be full of riding, fishing, hiking - and relaxing. Every evening we'll review our options for the next day and everyone can choose what sounds good to her; with lots of flexibility built in. Horseback riding is one of the main delights here. The horses are well cared for and well trained. You will be matched to a horse at the beginning of the week that is appropriate for your experience level, and you will have the chance to improve your riding skills over time. We'll split into groups based on experience; nose-to-tail rides are minimized and loping rides are available for those who are interested.
The terrain varies greatly: at the beginning of the week we'll ride directly from the ranch through lush meadows near the river and up onto high plateaus. Later in the week we'll head for more mountainous country. There will be morning and afternoon rides offered each day and at least one day we'll have the option for an all day ride up in the mountains. All rides are adapted to any level of experience. In addition to trail riding, once we are comfortable with our horses we'll get to try team penning, learning how to get cattle to go where we want. The Vee Bar's horses are turned out to pasture each night and rounded up each morning. If you want to meet the wranglers at the barn in the morning to help groom and saddle your horse, and/or help unsaddle and turn horses out, you are most welcome to. (You are equally welcome to leave your horse with your wrangler and go back to your cabin for a hot shower!)
There will be also optional activities each day for those who choose not to ride or only ride half the day. The Little Laramie River flows right through the ranch and is perfect for fly fishing, and there is also a stocked pond which is ideal for learning. Those who are interested can attend a demonstration from a local guide who will teach the basics and cover topics such as techniques, equipment, flies, and fish. Those who are really interested in improving their skills or going for guided expeditions can hire the guide - he's always on call.
For those who want to do some hiking, the nearby Snowy Mountains offer a variety of well-marked trails. For those who want to relax, you can go for a quiet walk on ranch property, read your book while listening to the river, soak in the hot tub, and take naps.
Other activities to look forward to include horse drawn buggy rides, happy hour with live music, outdoor barbecues, evening campfires, roasting marshmallows (yes!) and singing wranglers!
After a full day of activity, we'll gather for a relaxing drink at the John Wayne Saloon or in the lodge in front of the large river rock fireplace. We'll enjoy a delicious hearty dinner, served buffet style. Our meals are cooked from scratch and supplemented with fresh salads, fruit, homemade breads, pastries and desserts at every meal. Before retiring to your comfortable bed each night, you can sit outside in the hot tub, soak well-used muscles, and gaze up at the stars that may be brighter than any you've ever seen before.
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
4.8
(72 reviews)Chance to learn to ride horses some. Vee Bar hosts, family, wranglers and guides, warm personal environment Great attitudes of wranglers and Doug. There was a bit of clique-ishness in the group amongst several of those who were experienced riders and/or had done this trip before . Found myself feeling a bit of an outsider..It didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the trip; I just didn't come away feeling I'd made any new friends, or really gotten to know anyone new, which is unusual for me. Great music.
Great to spend time with family and disconnect from reality. Beautiful view, great group of women, and lovely weather.
Gracious hosts, beautiful setting, many options of things to do, great food
The women, the folks at the ranch, the flexibility of activities and the variety of activities.
Of course being with my two granddaughters. Everything about the trip met my expectations.
The overall trip was wonderful, especially since I was able to ride BlackJack, who was my horse every year during my travels. I met a wonderful group of traveling companions, especially my roommate Laurel, who provided a great deal of help at the end, especially since I had some struggles following my involuntary exit from BlackJack!
The lodging and ranch staff were very good and the AGC guide was excellent and I felt taken care of. The lodge/ranch owners took a very hands on approach to making our stay enjoyable. Most planned activities went well. Most of the meals were very good (a few were just ok).
Something I've always wanted to do and finally did it.
Got to see a moose...yeh!! I had a blast on the cattle drive. The mountain ride was fantastic.
The staff and owners of the Vee Bar Ranch. The culture and environment they foster on the ranch is exceptional. The best hospitality!
Different experiences, great venue
The level of hospitality that the VeeBar provides as well as the excellent choices of rides and other activities.
wish the weather had been better but overall the trip was what I expected.
The riding experience was great. Liked the flexibility the trip provided to take part (or not) in lots of activities.
High level of staff interaction, trying to accommodate diverse needs Obviously incredible environment, but program allowing exposure to several aspects, not just one
This is the 4th time I've been on the Living a Cowgirl Life....have a lot of fun on this trip
This was such a great trip with the best bunch of girls. There was so much to do, or if your choice, do nothing but relax.
The highlights...The riding experience was fantastic. Wranglers were very helpful (
Learning to fly fish. Practicing trap shooting. Hiking in beautiful scenic locations.
Great ranch - the staff is amazing! The mountain horseback rides were the highlights for me.
The owners and wranglers could not have been more pleasant or helpful. For me the highlight was the wagon ride and the family atmpsphere.
This year I got to canter to my heart's content! I got matched with a perfect horse. I think the food this year was not as good as last year. Loved getting golden horseshoes the last night. That was sweet.
I was very impressed with how the ranch gave so many activities to choose from!
Loved the cattle drive, field trip to the Wyoming FederalPrison when I couldn’t go riding. The hospitality of the Ranch, the wagon ride with live music
Each year I go on this trip, I can hardly wait to get on the wonderful horses at the ranch.
I was impressed with the Vee Bar's entire family. The family involvement (especially the children) in our activities was extra special. The entire experience was so authentic and genuine.
The riding experience was phenomenal. It was great to not have nose-to-tail rides. All the activities available were fun and interesting and having the option to do nothing was also appreciated.
Enjoyed the various activities and especially all the special attention the owners, wranglers, guides, and cook gave us. From watching the horses come in at 7 to the wagon ride or sheep dog demo in the evening they were so good to us. One of my favorite evenings was swinging alongside the campfire and listening to Brent sing and play his guitar and we all had a good time and laughed.
I was on this same trip in 2017, and I had such a wonderful time, I just had to come back again. Riding a horses every was a dream vacation for me! Plus,this was a wonderfully cohesive group of women this time around, and we all had a great time together.
Riding horses every day! Flexible schedule.
The Vee Bar Ranch was very organized and took care of all my needs and desires. I just needed to sign up for the activities I was interested in and show up! Kari, Brent, and the entire staff were extremely friendly and accommodating; they truly made us feel like family. The cabin was lovely and it was very convenient to have a washer and dryer in the cabin. The food was also excellent. I looked forward to every meal. The evening entertainment, especially the three nights of music, were a highlight as well.
Loved this trip! Hard to say what was the best because I loved every minute of it! The riding and horses were amazing, the guides were great, I want to go again!
Variety of activities Mainly fly fishing
Loved the ranch staff and all the riders nf
loved the horseback riding. Staff was very accommodating for my physical limitations.
Learning to ride a horse and lope!
The setting was beautiful and the diversity of activities they offered was fabulous as well as the demonstrations. The cattle drive was probably my most favorite although I thoroughly enjoyed every activity. Sitting by the brook practicing my new fly-fishing skills was another great time--caught a fish!!-- big surprise! The wagon ride with the musicians
I've never been on a tour let alone an all girls trip and thought I wouldn't like it, bit much to my surprise and delight. I enjoyed the trip and the participants immensely
The horse I rode made me feel safe so I was able to enjoy the rides.
I liked that we had our own rooms and the flexibility with the schedule. We could ride, hike, fish, read or just enjoy being in nature.
Highlights were the quality of horses, being able to ride every day (
The location, all of the people at the VeeBar ranch, the horses, the food, the variety of activities !! All of the trip was fantastic !!
Well organized. Itinerary was as planned.
I went to the VeeBar Ranch to ride horses, get cold (a break from the blazing temps in Arizona all summer), and meet other like-minded women. My expectations were not only met, they were exceeded!
all the horseback riding and hiking offered
I was able to ride everyday
The trail ride and picnic in the mountains. The hike in the snowy mountains. The family atmosphere and camaraderie of the owners, staff, and women on the trip. It was a peak experience. Everyday was a treat. Loved the variety and choices!
As my first trip with AGC, I had few expectations and a very open mind! I was a little concerned about an all-women trip, as I've never done group travel, nor anything with just women. What a lovely bunch, a great experience, and The Ranch, oh The Ranch! Wyoming and Vee Bar is exactly what I needed and it didn't disappoint. Everything was perfect. Just perfect. One glitch with my original roommate and a Wrangler, which I believe Lisa already filled you in on. The silver lining? Two wonderful women came to my aid and generously invited me to move in with them. Their cabin was not as nice, mine was riverside with the MOST comfortable queen bed, and just phenomenal overall. Theirs was a two-story, with very smelly water, a toilet covered in iron, and the twin bed sucked. Fine for a kid, not for me.
Riding, especially the cattle drive and team penning; hiking in mountains, food (delicious!), interacting with trip participants; extras like wagon ride and live music.
The horse back riding was a highlight for me.
Highlights were riding the horses along the prairie, moving the cattle to a new pasture, as a gust of wind perfumed us with the scent of sagebrush - heavenly! The stars overhead at night, the running of the horses each morning, The hike to Medicine Bow Peak!!!
The engagement withour guide Karen and Vee Bar staff was exceptional...I was a little apprehensive of the riding ...both made the week a wonderful experience.
This is a tough one to answer because while I had an amazing time and tend to remember only the good stuff, there were issues during the trip that definitely rated a 1 or 2 response. (addressed below under guide) I simply loved the ranch, the hospitality, the food, cabins, participants and activities The riding was spectacular and when I returned home to the stable I ride at, they noticed a difference in my skill level!
Everyday was fantastic
the ranch was amazing. also, the hiking gave a nice change to the horseback riding. both were super!
Too hard to pick one highlight. Great wranglers, nice to have music 3 nights, great food, wonderful hike to 12,400 ft., great horses, great accommodations, etc. etc.
Having the moose pass our cabin every evening was the best idea AGC ever had!
Can't pick just one thing. But riding the horses everyday...twice a day...was perfect!! Loved the wranglers and their easy-going nature towards us on horseback. They had great confidence in us.
The beautiful location of the trip. The excellent hospitality of Vee Bar Ranch. The true Western experience. The cattle drive was my favorite. The horses are wonderful and well taken care of and matched perfectly to the riders experience. I can't say enough and could go on and on. Each day just got better then the day prior. Our guide, Karen, was wonderful, kind and considerate.
I wanted more hiking, but loved everything
I can't think of any negatives. The location and accommodations/facilities were great. Activities were balance through the day and there were enough options to fill free time. I would have liked to have been more successful in the riding aspect but know there are a lot of things to factor in there. Hike locations were spectacular.
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Where do we eat?
All your meals will be served family-style at the ranch. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring additional protein bars and supplemental snacks; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. -
Do I need to bring a horseback riding helmet?
Horseback riding helmets are not mandatory as per the ranch's rules but AGC recommends wearing one. There are helmets available for borrowing but the ranch may not have enough for everybody and may not have the correct fit for your head. If you would like to bring your own helmet, be sure that it is specific to horseback riding (no bicycle helmets!) -
What do I need for flyfishing?
The ranch has all of the equipment you need for flyfishing and an instructor to teach you the basics. If you would like to flyfish in the river or off property, you will need to purchase a Wyoming fishing license. If you would like to try flyfishing in the ranch's stocked pond on property, you do not need to purchase a Wyoming fishing license. More information regarding a fishing license will be available in documents in your portal, closer to departure time. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
All the rooms on this trip are singles with shared bathrooms.
