Hitch up your wagon and giddy-up to Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland, N.Y. for an unforgettable family vacation and a taste of the Wild West! Just over an hour’s drive from southern Westchester, this resort in Ulster County has something for everyone, no matter the season.
Plenty to Do
I was lucky enough to visit Rocking Horse Ranch (RHR) with my family twice in 2015, once in August and once in December. We had an absolute blast both times. I keep comparing the experience to being on a cruise, just on land. Each day, there are non-stop activities from morning to night (make sure to pick up a schedule!). You can start your day with bingo and trivia, take a horse-drawn carriage ride in the afternoon, roast marshmallows at a bonfire in the evening, and end the night watching a live show in the Silverado Saloon (we saw a magician, a comedian, and a juggler, to name a few acts). The opportunities for fun are endless.
Water Fun
For my 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, the Big Splash Indoor Waterpark was a huge hit. They especially loved the 250-foot long slide called the Gold Rush Flume. It whisks you this way and that at a pretty good pace and is even more intense in the dark of night! The indoor pool area, which also includes smaller slides and interactive fountains for little ones, stays at 85 degrees all year, so remember your bathing suit even if you visit in the winter. Also, in the colder months, the ranch offers skiing (the skis and lessons are included in your stay), snow tubing and ice skating.
The Ranch is great in the summer when their private lake is the perfect spot for kayaking, paddle boating or water skiing (again, equipment and instruction are included). There are also two outdoor pools, including one for children, both with slides.
Horseback Riding
My personal favorite activity is the horseback riding. The ranch has more than 100 horses that take guests through scenic forest trails multiple times per day in almost any weather, except during thunderstorms. Participants ages 7 and up can choose between beginner, intermediate or advanced rides. The staff teaches you the basic rein movements and then off you go for an hour, in a line, moving at a slow walk. Staff ride alongside the group to make sure everyone is comfortable and keeps enough space between the horses. Some of the horses are feistier than others, but for the most part, they know the routine and behave themselves. When you arrive at the Ranch sign up for a daily ride time, but you can always try to ride more than once a day by doing stand-by (same for the water skiing).
And More!
As if that’s not enough, RHR also has everything from mini-golf, basketball, and beach volleyball to rock climbing, ping pong, a playground, arts and crafts, a new bowling alley and an exotic wildlife exhibit! I’m pretty sure there are no zebras or camels in the Wild West, but they’re still cool to see. My kids would also say not to miss the Fun Barn, complete with a big bounce structure, and the Super Bungee Jumpers where children (and adults if you’d like) get to bounce and flip on trampolines while attached to a harness. Plus, come spring 2016, there will also be mountain tubing!
As this is an all-inclusive resort, rest assured you will be eating well! Breakfast and lunch are both served buffet style with hot and cold food choices. Dinner is sit-down with options from a rotating a-la-carte menu featuring some tasty country cooking. Make sure to leave room for the chocolate fondue fountain, ice cream machine, assorted cookies and truly heavenly cakes.
The accommodations are also top notch. The theme is obviously rustic, but there is nothing rustic about the rooms or bathrooms. My kids loved the bunk beds in our room!
RHR also offers babysitting options for kids up to age 12. The Little Tykes Nursery has crafts and toys for babies through age 5 (there is a small hourly fee for kids under 3). For ages 6 to 12, Wild Buckaroos Day Camp gives kids the chance to experience the ranch’s activities and meet new friends at the same time. It’s also a great way for parents to get a little time alone to go swimming, play tennis, visit the archery range, or just relax!
Andrea White is a writer and mom who lives in Edgemont. She doesn’t really consider herself a cowgirl, but had fun pretending.
