Attractions 111 & Ranches Horseback Riding Country Stays Valuable information on guest ranches, country stays and trail riding in Oklahoma; a handy reference to a host of ranches and farms offering these services and more; and a fold-out map are just some of When in doubt, let your what you’ll find in this guide. It is horse do the thinkin.’ packed with everything you need to make your time in Oklahoma a memorable experience. If by - Unknown some chance you don’t find what 1 Farms and ranches across Oklahoma are opening their gates, you’re looking for here, head to barn doors and fences, issuing a heartfelt invitation to sample OklahomaAgritourism.com and the abundant bounty and natural beauty found in Oklahoma’s load up your digital saddlebag. growing adventure — Agritourism. With up-close insight into one of the world’s most enduring enterprises, Agritourism is the intersection of agriculture and tourism, a heady mix of farms, ranches, markets, people, livestock and the culture of the outdoors, guaranteed to surprise and delight. Sit tall in the saddle, Oklahoma’s rolling hills, prairies and mesas are the perfect hold your head up setting for superb adventures of all kinds. Whether you’re high. Keep your eyes looking for an authentic farm experience, a pastoral setting fixed where the trail to pick a peach or milk a goat, or scary twists and turns in a meets the sky. And Halloween corn maze, Oklahoma offers some of the finest hospitality west of the Mississippi. live like you ain’t afraid to die. And don’t So what are you waiting for? Get going! There are more than be scared, just enjoy 500 Agritourism destinations and events that beckon with plenty your ride. of earthy adventures to be harvested and enough bounty to fill a basket, a weekend getaway or weeklong vacation. A complete guide of statewide Agritourism events can be found at - “The Ride” by Chris Ledoux TravelOK.com/festivals_and_events. 1 1 OklahomaAgritourism.com 2 Oklahoma’s unspoiled rolling hills, prairies and mesas are ideal settings for real Old and New West adventures. Whether you’re on the hunt for an authentic Western experience, a thrilling horseback ride on the open prairie, a quiet hike Ranches and farms are agricultural operations and might have seasonal hours and or meditative day of fishing, or a simple retreat from the frantic pace of life, days, with circumstances and conditions that change frequently. Before traveling, Oklahoma offers some of the finest hospitality west of the Mississippi. please call ahead for operation times and other pertinent details. In the late 1800s, new settlements were thriving, and along with the growing towns and cities grew a dawning realization that the rowdy times of the American frontier had ended. Nostalgia for the Wild West’s bygone days gave birth to guest ranches where travelers could connect their dreams and fantasies of frontier times to a real-life experience. Today’s guest ranches offer a host of memory-making activities and modern amenities, along with a chance to reconnect with family or friends while enjoying traditional Western adventures. Many offer horseback riding and trails, and might even provide facilities for stabling your horses if you wish to bring them. From roundups and chuckwagon dinners, to sophisticated spa treatments and hot tubs, from cowboy poetry to making moccasins, come enjoy Oklahoma’s rich Western heritage. Guest ranches offer the chance to revel in the romance of frontier times, but both country stays and guest ranches give visitors a chance to catch their breath, watch clouds race across the sky, or take a leisurely stroll under a night sky filled with shimmering stars. Few cowboys ever owned much. The primary reward of This colored map icon indicates the travel region where the operation is found. being a cowboy was the pleasure of living a cowboy’s life. In each travel region, operations are listed alphabetically along with activities and highlighted with the color of the region. All efforts have been made to ensure - Unknown the accuracy of listings and information. However, we encourage you to call before traveling. 5 OklahomaAgritourism.com 6 1. Big V Ranch K-1 580-716-1729, 580-716-1729 LAT/LONG: 36.61867, -97.17487. Ponca City, OK 74601. From I-35: Exit U.S. 60 E. toward Ponca City. Exit Hwy 156/Marland, go S. 4.5 mi. Turn R. on White Eagle Rd., go 2 mi. to “T” St. & turn L. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the headquarters of the Big V Ranch was completed in 1903 by Bill & Viola Vanselous & restored in 2007 by their descendants. Vanselous, who staked a claim in the Cherokee Strip Land Run, was the largest mule dealer in the U.S. at the turn of the century, including providing mules to the British Army. The 6-acre facility includes the headquarters, refurbished mule barn, rebuilt commissary gardens, chicken house, tool building, oil pumping units & surrey house. The 1,000-acre working farm includes cattle & small grain operations. Private reservations only. 2. Black Mesa Bed and Breakfast A-1 800-821-7204 • www.bmbb1.com LAT/LONG: 36.93157, -102.9618. Kenton, OK 73946. Call for driving directions. Located near the base of magnificent Black Mesa, this 1910 native rock ranch house boasts the best in country hospitality. The working cattle ranch offers a double occupancy room & 2nd story suite that sleeps 8, plus a 2-room bunkhouse with bathhouse. All guests are treated to home cooking & family-style country breakfasts. Activities include hiking, rock hounding, history, fishing, hunting & bird watching. Drop-ins are welcome but reservations are preferred. 3. Duel Creek Country Home Bed and Breakfast J-1 580-233-5950 LAT/LONG: 36.82545, -97.96944. Wakita, OK 73371. From the Wakita exit on Hwy. 11, go 2 mi. W. On Trenton Rd. (which is also CR830) go N. 1 mi. to Jackson Rd. Turn W. & go .25 mi. The farm entrance is on the L. There is a “Y” — stay to the R. View wide-open spaces from this restored 1911 Sears, Roebuck and Co. mail-order house. This home offers a 1-acre fishing pond, deer & pheasant hunting on premises, vegetable & flower gardens, a greenhouse, an all-weather porch, fresh country eggs for breakfast, horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, a 6-bay golf driving range & a 5-hole putting green. Farm animals are on-site for petting & feeding. Corporate & government rates accepted. Other group services include refreshments & meal functions (20 people indoors/40 people outdoors). Open by appt. only. 4. Gloss Mountain Outfitters I-1 580-884-1305 • www.glossmountainoutfitters.com LAT/LONG: 36.36314, -98.83099. From Orienta: Intersection of Hwy 412 & Hwy 60, go 19.7 mi. W. on Hwy. 412 (to Clean Harbors sign), turn S. & go 1.5 mi. Turn W. & go .75 mi. Turn S. & go 1.4 mi. to ranch’s main gate. From Bouse Jct.: Intersection of Hwy 412 & Hwy 281, go 5 mi. E. on Hwy 412, turn S. Go 1.5 mi., turn W. & go .75 mi. Turn S. & go 1.4 mi. to ranch’s main gate. Go 1.3 mi. S. to the camping area. The Newton Ranch is nestled deep in the Gloss Mountains of N.W. OK. Whether you are bringing your horse for a memorable trail ride, seeking a peaceful retreat or reconnecting with family & friends – your Gloss Mountain Adventure has just begun. On premises, activities include horseback riding (with our horse), hay rides, hiking, fishing & campfire cookouts. Newton Ranch is within driving distance of 6 state parks. We offer about 18 hours of semi-rugged trails on our 2,000-plus acres. We have primitive campsites, 50 amp RV hookups, corrals, arena, potable water, fire pits & firewood for you. You can also choose to enjoy Cedar Haven Lodge by taking a tour, having a meal or an overnight stay. Hike, fish, watch wildlife, take photos & look at the stars. 5. Hitching Post Bed and Breakfast Ranch A-1 580-261-7413, 888-279-7397 • www.blackmesacountry.com LAT/LONG: 36.89762, -102.9014. Kenton, OK 73946. 31 mi. N.W. of Boise City on Hwy. 325. Go .25 mi. N. to ranch headquarters. This bed & breakfast is housed in a 100-year-old rock house, a log cabin, cottage & mobile home, all with kitchen or kitchenette facilities. Tour of working ranch can be accommodated for groups with activities including: stagecoach rides, horseback riding, guided trail rides & hunting opportunities. Provides step-on guide for tour groups, with ranch activities, scenic tour, country lunch & music entertainment included. 6. Hoot Owl Ranch A-1 580-261-7789, 877-226-5791 LAT/LONG: 36.89903, -102.8662. Kenton, OK 73946. 5.5 mi. E. of Kenton. The Hoot Owl Ranch is located in a unique canyon with live springs that host a multitude of wildlife. The ranch offers hiking, bird watching, Native American writings on canyon walls, plus plenty of rest & relaxation. The beautiful dining facility is open on Fri. & Sat. evenings only & reservations are required. The quiet cabins offer exceptional queen size beds & kitchenettes. This ranch has some of the most beautiful scenery that OK has to offer. 8 7. Howard Ranch Enterprises G-2 580-254-5552, 580-334-5552 www.howardranchenterprises.com LAT/LONG: 36.57977, -99.38892. Woodward, OK 73801. At the Jct. of 9th & Oklahoman (which is Hwy. 34) go N. 10.2 mi. You will see a brick house with a horse statue out front on the N.E. corner of the CR Jct. The Howard Ranch is a 13,000-acre, 5th generation cattle ranch with 600 head of cattle & 40 head of horses.