Pine Ridge Dude Ranch, opened in 2018 under new management, is like a summer camp for families. Families can unplug, play outside and reconnect with each other while also making new friends. Families have been visiting this all-inclusive dude ranch for more than 40 years under the old ownership, and in just a few months and $1 million in renovations (with more to come), Pine Ridge has polished its boots to become even better.

From sunrise to sunset there are numerous activities for kids and families to take part in at this dude ranch in New York’s Hudson Valley. The all-inclusive rates include three meals a day and one horseback trail ride per person (when staying three nights). There are pony rides for young kids; a petting zoo; indoor and outdoor pools (both with waterslides); a supervised kids’ club, archery; a climbing wall; giant bounce pillow; tractor rides to the pond, where families can fish or take a paddleboat ride; nightly campfires; and much more.

The guestrooms are ideal for larger families and can sleep between four and seven people. Some guestrooms even include bunk beds. There is free Wi-Fi in the common areas and massage services for parents looking for some “me time.” Kids will love the freedom to just run and play with friends, while parents can feel comfortable that the children are safe and not staring at devices all day.

While the dude ranch is sprawled across 150 acres, nothing is too far away. Families can easily stroll over to the horses and petting zoo, take a tractor ride down to the pond for some fishing, or hit the pool, which is just a few yards away from all of the guestrooms — and you can do all of that before lunch time! At night, S’mores by the large campfire is always a big hit with the kids. Or, enjoy board games by the lobby fireplace or head to the night club, where there is family-friendly entertainment including magicians and karaoke nights.

Pine Ridge, located in the foothills of the Catskills, welcomes all types of families and the diversity among the ranch guests is refreshing. Guests of a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities, speaking a variety of languages from all age groups and mobility levels, were seen during our visit to the ranch. Everyone is welcome at Pine Ridge and no matter your accessibility, there are activities (including horse-involved activities) for all.

Whether your family is interested in fully immersing in the equestrian way of life with all of the horse and stable programs or wants to slide down the waterslides repeatedly at the pools, everyone will love their time at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch.

The 125 guestrooms at Pine Ridge are all similar, but vary in the amount of people each can accommodate. The guestrooms can accommodate between four and seven people. Rollaway beds and cribs are available in some of the guestrooms. Wi-Fi is not available in the guestrooms (by design, the intention at the ranch is for families to unplug); however, complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the ranch.

Dakota Wing

The largest of the rooms at Pine Ridge, these deluxe rooms can sleep a maximum of seven people. The guestrooms feature a king bed, a double bed and a set of bunk beds all in the same room. There is plenty of additional space for a rollaway bed or crib, which is also available in this room. The rooms are simple, but offer a mini-fridge, flat-screen television and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom. These rooms are ideal for larger families staying at the ranch.

Wyoming Wing

Similar to the Dakota rooms, the Wyoming rooms feature the same one king bed, a double bed and a set of bunk beds in the same room. However, these rooms cannot accommodate the addition of a rollaway bed. These guestrooms can sleep up to six people comfortably. The rooms, situated close to the indoor pool area, offer a mini-fridge, flat-screen television and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom.

Nevada Wing

These guestrooms are more affordable and can accommodate up to four people. They feature one king bed and one double bed in the same room, a flat-screen television and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom. Rollaway beds are not available in these rooms.

Santa Fe Wing

The guestrooms here are in a quieter section of the ranch and can sleep up to four people. They feature a king bed or a king and double bed, a flat-screen television and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom. Two of the Santa Fe guestrooms feature a fireplace.

Horseback Riding

There are a variety of horseback rides and programs available at this dude ranch. The all-inclusive package features one free ride per person, per stay. Additional rides and programs can then be purchased. The ranch has about 50 horses that are rotated for rides each day. The herd consists of a mix of breeds including Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Clydesdale, Icelandics, Arabians and more. The horses are exceptionally cared for and many of them were rescued when the ranch was sold in 2017 and the horses went up for auction.

Helmets are provided. A professional photographer is also on hand in the corral and the photos are available for purchase following your ride. Rides take place in all weather conditions, year round, but can be canceled or rescheduled based on extreme heat or extreme snow. Rides are not conducted in a thunderstorm or high winds.

Remember to apply sunscreen and bug spray prior to heading out for your ride, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Trail Rides
The hour-long trail rides are done in groups and offered at a variety of skill levels; a walk ride (ideal for first timers and beginners), an intermediate ride (walking and trotting for riders who have had about 10 hours of experience in a year) and the advanced ride (walking, trotting and cantering, for experienced riders only). Children must be at least 9 years old for a trail ride (8 years old if they complete a lesson on the ranch prior to the ride). The staff chooses from a variety of trails through a mostly wooded area that overlooks the Shawangunk Ridge and Mohonk Mountains, and always accompany the group on the ride. Guests, who come to know all of the horses names, are assigned to a horse on each ride, often riding a different horse each ride. Trail rides run at different times each day, often in the morning during the summer months. Guests can sign up for trail rides in the lobby, the night prior.

Pony Rides
Children 6 years old and younger can enjoy one free pony ride per day. Pony rides are conducted in the corral with the staff walking next to the child.

Junior Wrangler
Children ages 5 to 8 years old can enjoy a one-on-one ride with an instructional wrangler in the corral to learn the basics of how to ride. Eight-year-old children who complete this course can then participate in a Trail Ride. The lesson runs about 20 minutes and is included in the all-inclusive package if you have a child in that age range.

Stable Programs

Additional time at the stables and private trail rides or lessons can also be purchased. There are educational sessions, stable tours, horseshoeing and horse bath demonstrations, and guests can feed the horses on select nights as well.

Private Lessons and Rides
Private lessons or rides run between 45 minutes to an hour and involve one-on-one time with an experienced wrangler.

Barn Buddies
The Barn Buddies Program is also a favorite with children, but adults have been known to join in the fun too. This hands-on program offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the barn operates. Guests will brush and groom the horses, learn about the equipment and what the horses eat, and also help clean up the stables. The program runs about an hour and does not include a trail ride. Children must be at least 8 years old to participate.

Own a Horse for the Day
If you or your child have ever wanted to own a horse, this is a great way to test out the responsibility! Guests are matched with a horse (based on skill level) and the day will consist of things like feeding, grooming, hoof care, saddling, riding, clean up, turnout at the end of the night and more.

Pools

Lifeguards are on duty whenever the pool is open, and pool towels are provided at the front desk.

Outdoor Pool
The outdoor pool features dual, enclosed waterslides that kids will want to repeatedly fly down. The pool is sectioned off for the slide and the shallow and deep ends. Pool activities like hula hoop and cannon ball contests happen on most days, and several times a week there is a DJ spinning tunes. The pool bar is situated next to the fenced in pool and offers alcoholic beverages for sale. The pool deck is surrounded by lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.

The outdoor pool is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 7 to 8 p.m., weather permitting, in the summer months.

Indoor Pool
The barn-themed indoor pool also features a dual waterslide and is surrounded by chairs. The indoor pool is open from 8 to 10 p.m. most evenings in the summer months and all day during the winter months and on rainy days.

Kids' Club

The supervised kids' club for children ages newborn to 10 years old is included in the all-inclusive rate. The daily activities are always changing and offer everything from arts and crafts to hayrides, games and time at the pool. The kids' club runs from 9 a.m. to noon and then again from 1 to 5 p.m. each day during the summer months. Parents are asked to sign kids up the night before.

Fishing Pond

Every 30 minutes the tractor departs from next to the petting zoo and heads down to the lake (guests are also welcome to walk the dirt trail). At the large pond, families can fish or use one of the paddleboats to explore the water. Bring your own fishing pole and bait, or they are available for purchase at the ranch's general store.

Outdoor Recreation

Numerous outdoor activities and recreation sites can be found throughout the ranch, all of which are included and can be used at almost any time during your stay. Kids will love the archery barn (scheduled times), the giant bounce pillow and climbing wall, the playground equipment, tennis, basketball and shuffleboard courts. There is also mini-golf, Ping Pong, horseshoes and Bocce ball.

The petting zoo can be found next to the archery barn and horse stables. Families are welcome to visit with the many adorable goats who are ready to say hello.

Game Room

The arcade features several classic arcade and video games. Playing the games is an additional charge.

Daily Activities

The day's schedule of activities is posted daily by the front desk. Activities include Ultimate Frisbee, photo scavenger hunts, family bingo, touch football, coloring contests, waterslide races and more. The ranch's social director is there to make sure the entire family is always having fun!

Nightly Entertainment

Each evening after dinner, the daily activities continue with sunset tractor rides, meet the baby horse or feed the herd of horses at the corral. Families can sit by the large campfire each night and make S'mores or visit the night club, where there are magicians or karaoke parties happening on select nights.

Winter Activities

The ranch is open year-round and there are even more activities to enjoy when it's cold outside. The kids will love snow tubing and ice skating and horseback riding still takes place in the winter months as well.

All Inclusive

This all-inclusive dude ranch includes three, all-you-can-eat, country cooked meals each day in the main dining room. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m. and includes a buffet usually of eggs, pancakes, bacon, fruit and more. Lunch is also usually served buffet style from noon to 1 p.m. and offers salads and sandwiches. Dinner is served from 6 to 7 p.m. and is a rotating menu. Things like BBQ, fish, country fried chicken and desserts of ice cream, carrot cake or rice pudding are a few of the menu options.

The kids' menu includes things like chicken fingers and grilled cheese, and gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan options are always available. Alcohol is not included in the all-inclusive rate.

Trails End Cafe

Located in the lobby, this cafe serves Starbucks beverages and pastries for an additional fee. The cafe is open from 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Chuckwagon Snack Bar

Located in the Wyoming Wing -- outside the Silver Dollar Saloon and near the indoor pool and game room -- is the snack bar. Open from 2 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. on most days, this snack bar offers free ice cream and other free items, as well larger items at a low cost.

All About the Extras

Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the hotel. The Wi-Fi is specifically designed to not be in the guestrooms so families unplug and spend time with each other and enjoy all that the ranch has to offer.

Day Passes
For those who may not be staying at the hotel, you can still enjoy the amenities at the ranch with a day pass. A day pass can be purchased per person and is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes lunch, use of the pools, petting zoo, pony rides and all of the activities. A horseback riding trail ride is an additional cost to the day pass.

Parking
Free parking is available in an outside lot.

Fitness Center
Guests are welcome to use the large fitness center at Leisure Land next door, but onsite there is also a small fitness center with cardio machines.

Board Games
There are a stack of board games available at the front desk for families to enjoy.

Pine Ridge Country Store
Located in the lobby just outside the main dining room is the country store, open on most days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Families can find souvenirs, snacks, sodas, toiletries and first aid items here.

The Best Time to Visit

This dude ranch is open year-round and horseback riding occurs in most weather conditions. Unless there is lightning or a blizzard, the horses are always ready to ride. The summer months and when kids are out of school are definitely the busiest for families to visit.

Getting There

Located in New York's Hudson Valley in the foothills of the Catskills Mountains, Pine Ridge is about an hour west of Poughkeepsie and about two and half hours from New York City. Newark International Airport is about two hours away and the Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is about less than three hours away.

Getting Around

Once you park your car at the dude ranch, there is no reason to leave. The barns, the pools, the dining rooms and most of the activities are only a short walk away from the guestrooms. Tweens and teens can easily run and explore the ranch without parental supervision and feel completely safe. Most of the daily activities and meals are set times so most of the guests are in the same areas at the same times throughout the day, so no one is far away.

The charming small town of New Paltz is less than 30 minutes from the ranch and offers some great shopping and dining opportunities for families who may want to explore outside of the ranch.

For Parents

Spa
Adults can book massage treatments for an additional charge at the front desk.

Sunset Trail Rides
This exclusive, couple's ride has limited availability so book early. The two-hour ride begins just before sunset and guests can dismount and enjoy complimentary wine and cheese and crackers before heading back to the stables.

Bars
The adults will find several bars throughout the ranch. Alcohol is an additional charge; it is not included in the all-inclusive rate. The Pool Bar is open for much of the afternoon. For happy hour (and on rainy days), adults can visit the Silver Dollar Saloon near the snack bar.

Bullroom Night Club
The night club, which features its own bar, is open from 8 p.m. to midnight. The night club often has family-friendly events like magicians or karaoke happening earlier in the evening and then a DJ is on-hand for the adults later in the evening.