Hunewill Ranch | Activities - Horseback Riding, Dude Ranch with Cattle Drives

Fun for Kids

Horseback Riding:

Children ages six and older ride twice daily at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 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.

Childcare:

Babysitting is provided for children under the age of six during riding hours. Children who are capable of being led on horseback are led by the babysitter. 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. Our playground is very popular with children of many ages.

Other Activities:

Kids of all ages enjoy the freedom and wide open spaces that Hunewill Ranch offers. Laughter and friendships abound as kids play during their non-riding time. Parents are amazed by all the clean outdoor fun that kids find here. (All without television or video games!) Ping pong, horseshoes, and volleyball are available.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is the main attraction at Hunewill Ranch. We ride primarily in big open green pastures that are bordered by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Horses and riding groups (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced) are available to suit anyone's level of skill and ambition. Memories are created as riders walk, trot, and lope in the wide open spaces of Bridgeport Valley. Some of our day rides venture into the nearby mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial lakes, and spectacular scenery. Other horseback activities include splash rides, a breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course, and games on horseback. Whether you are a beginner or have ridden for years, this will be one of the best riding vacations you've ever had.

Cattle Work

Hunewill Ranch is a working cattle ranch and guests get to move cattle throughout our season. However, during a few special weeks we offer cattle work as the featured activity.

Spring Cattle Work

In the spring we have cattle on our Nevada and California ranches so guests work cattle at both locations. The main activities are parting and moving cattle and may also include branding and doctoring. This time of year an added bonus is seeing the cows with their baby calves.

The Big Fall Cattle Gather

This is a week-long extravaganza of high mountain cattle gathering and moving. The cattle are coming off their summer range and we are bringing them down to the home ranch. 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.

Fall Cattle Work

Participate in a hands-on cowboy experience which includes sorting, moving, parting and doctoring cattle. We even have a challenging trailer loading competition where guests and their cow savvy horses load cattle into a stock trailer. This event gets our guests working as a team, planning strategies, and experiencing good old fashioned fun. An added bonus is the beautiful fall lighting and the glow of autumn colors.

Annual Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive

We end our season with one of our most popular events of the year. Our guests move 600 hundred head of cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California to our winter ranch in Smith Valley, Nevada. The beautiful scenery and the tradition of the cattle drive combine to give our guests the experience of a lifetime.
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.

All of our cattle work packages are designed for the intermediate to advanced rider.

Autumn at the Ranch

Autumn at Hunewill Ranch is a magical time of peace and tranquility. The valley is surrounded with vibrant fall colors framed by a backdrop of the mighty Sierra Nevada. The Autumn Getaway is a weekend package scheduled during some of Bridgeport's best fall color. Ride through golden fall meadows or venture on horseback into the back country during this special weekend. 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. We offer everything from short enjoyable jaunts on horseback to nine hour rides for the intrepid explorer. We end our autumn packages with the Columbus Day Weekend Stay. This weekend is your last chance to catch Bridgeport Valley's autumn splendor before winter arrives. We invite you to share in one of our favorite times of the year at Hunewill Ranch.

Weekly Calendar

Saturday-p.m. Dinner, Horse Sense (orientation) in the barn. Sunday All rides walk and instruction is given. Creek-side cookout. Monday First lope (except beginners). Bingo and roping lessons. Tuesday Breakfast ride to Robinson Creek. Afternoon meadow ride. Square and round dancing. Wednesday Day ride to Sierras or long meadow ride. Campfire sing-along and hayride. Thursday More advanced riding skills. Horse games. Talent night! Friday Long morning ride. Farewell afternoon ride. Outdoor barbeque.

activities