Ozarks Ranch Getaway

Introduction
Missouri USA
Literally sit back, relax and experience the pleasures of authentic country living while riding the smooth gait of the Missouri Foxtrotter horse! 

Every season during the year, the Ozarks highlands offers a spectacular beauty and an abundance of activities, so we welcome you to come visit with us on of our family run working farm. Conveniently located only1 hour from St. Louis and the Lambert International Airport, our ranch stay makes for short, yet satisfying getaway from the norm. On the way to visit us, your scenic drive southwest through beautiful countryside of rolling hills will  offer you interesting pit stops along the way - wine country vineyards, cave tours, or one of many antique shops! It’s truly a setting for all seasons and that's why we are open year round -  ride the pretty meadows graced with wildflowers in the spring, escape the summer heat after a mid-morning ride by visiting the cool caves along the towering Vilander bluffs or swimming in the rivers, weave through wooded hillside trails splashed with autumn’s stunning red, orange and golds, and  even  enjoy winter’s intimate stillness after a snowfall on the pristine landscape as we go sleigh riding along. No matter what the season, the farm here is a place for peace and discovery, far away from the pressures of the everyday city life. And when the sun starts to set in the big and beautiful western sky and the horses are turned out to night pastures, friends and neighbors gather around the chuck wagon and cowboy campfire for the evening. The smells of genuine cowboy cooking fills the air as you listen to local Bluegrass musicians play old songs. Bring your guitar, banjo, or fiddle and join in! Cowboy pleasures are basic, down to earth and rooted in the land and as simplistic as that sounds, it is a truly gratifying lifestyle we wish to share with you. After a long day riding on the trails or working the ranch with us, we think you will agree!

Your trip will include your accommodations with breakfast and lunch each day and one delicious country BBQ dinner compete with bluegrass music and 3 or 4 riding days (pending on which package).

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Our Cabin-Bunkhouse was built in 2005 from cedar logs hauled in by our own team of Percheron draft horses and constructed and decorated with a cowboy theme. Your surroundings will transform you to out west! There is a 6 person hot tub/spa pool to relax in when not riding. On cool evenings gather around the stone hearth, by the fireplace, made from local river rocks. Enjoy the view of our large lake from your porch, a very romantic setting for special occasions. If you want more excitement than just relaxing in the evenings in the quiet, calm of the ranch, you can always head into the nearby towns for movie theaters, music halls (bluegrass and western country music), and local watering-hole pubs. If you want to enjoy some other points of interest, during, before or after you ranch stay, the town of Cuba (12 mi) and Rolla (30 mi) have antique shops with quirky vintage items and there is a winery in the region as well! The Onondaga Cave is 25 minute drive form the ranch - guests favorite!!  Meramec Spring Park is beautiful in the spring and has a trout hatchery! Wi-Fi is available and laundry facilities are at the guests disposal.



Lodge
There is 1 private double occupancy bedroom in the main ranch house. It has a Queen size bed and its own private bath and shower.

Cabin
There is a 2-bedroom cabin. The cabin can accommodate 7 riders at the max, one group for the entirety or two groups can each take a bedroom; one room has 1 Queen size bed and the other room has 2 double beds. Finally, there is an optional futon in the living room for a single. The cabin is equipped with a full kitchen and stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, dishes, tableware, pans & cooking utensils and cable TV. The bathroom is shared in the cabin.

Room Occupancy
There is no single supplement fee if you are wiling to share.



Meals
Meals are not included in your package.

There are many local restaurants in Bourbon near the ranch which your hosts can recommend for you or else you can bring groceries on your own and make meals in the kitchen of the cabin! Bourbon has a nice grocery & deli open till 9:00pm. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol if they wish.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to guests with special dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Level
Your mount will be selected with your own riding abilities in mind. Rides are adjusted to each individual's riding abilities for the riders, as well as the horses! "Fox Trotting at its Finest," is what we like to call the special gaited horse rides we offer on our beautiful and healthy Missouri Foxtrotting Horses - they are smooth, quick, sure-footed and kind, able to handle the hilly and rocky 'outlaw trails' in style.

Horses
At the ranch we have a very special relationship with our herd of 30+ Foxtrotters, Tennessee Walkers, Quarter Horses and Draft Horses. We have bred, raised and trained them to provide guests with the finest riding opportunities. In addition, the "Big Girls," our Percheron draft horses, can be used for pulling the hayride wagon in the summer and sleigh rides in the winter.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary- subject to changes

Together we will help design the perfect horseback riding getaway for you and your loved ones! There are endless trail riding options through the beautiful Ozarks countryside, or if you want to get adventurous, you can try your hand at roping in the arena - we'll teach you! Riding lessons are also possible to arrange.
If you are looking for a special experience, we can take you on a horse drawn hayride on our wagon or sleigh rides in the winter.

Spend your time here as leisurely or action packed as you desire, this is your special holiday. We can teach you how to shoe or harness the horses, or if the timing is right, you can have a hand in training a new young colt!
Experience smooth speed and agility of the exceptionally even-tempered gaited Missouri Fox-trot Horses while riding in the Missouri Ozarks - south of the glacier line in the heart of Missouri's cattle country - famous for its extraordinary biodiversity of plant and animal species. Relax and experience the pleasures of country living and ride over endless trails. 



Non-riding Activities
When you aren't riding or if you bring a non-riding companion, you can choose to just sit back and relax in the hot tub or a rocking chair on the front porch with a beverage, or keep active and go fishing, hiking or bird watching. Nearby in the summer, the cool and refreshing waters of the Upper Meramec River provide great swimming holes and cool serenity amongst the scenic background of gravel bars, sand bars, and towering bluffs. Canoeing, Kayaking or Rafting down the Meramec River is easily available.
If you like star gazing or moonlight activities by campfire, we offer a BBQ grill and fire pit, and wood to make a marshmallow roasting fire nightly!
We can also arrange stagecoach rides, a tour of our cattle pastures and a tour of a local historic cemetery dating back to 1869.
Onondaga Cave in Leasburg Missouri is also just a 20 minute drive from the ranch.

Rates and Dates for Ozarks Ranch Getaway

Dates Note: Extra days possible -- please inquire.
Sold Out Dates (as of 5/16/2023): all dates sold out except July 16 to 22

Other Info
Meeting: Bourbon
Airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Transfer: --

Climate:
                                            Bourbon area